LNER

Previously, one could purchase a super-off peak return. One could book a seat on each train one intended to take. However, if one missed their train on the outbound journey they could take ANY OTHER super-off peak service that day. Granted, their seat would not be reserved but we do have unreserved seating in coach C for anyone who finds themselves on this pickle.

And say our passenger is having a lovely time on their trip, well the good news is their return would have been valid for any super-off peak service within 28 days of their initial departure, not only the train their seat reservation was booked on. Marvellous, right? Flexible? Indeed.

Now under the name of “simplification” and “flexibility” we are scrapping this system to replace it with:

No super-off peak options that used to allow cheaper travel for people who can be flexible with the time of day they travel and are on a budget

You can no longer catch any other train in the day. You can only catch trains 70 minutes before or after your booked train.

The 28 day open return will become a relic of my halcyon youth.

The greatest thing about solo train travel will become rarer (the person in the seat next to you not turning up because they had so many other flexible options)

They are also more expensive.