On Sunday 4th September 2016 Arriva Rail North (Northern) changed some of the fares throughout the north of England. This has seen Off Peak Day Returns (CDR) reintroduced on some of the routes in the Community Rail Lancashire area.
The downside of this is that on most routes the popular Duo ticket introduced by Northern Rail has been withdrawn. The Duo allowed two people to travel together at a reduction of 25%.
The new fares will see a rise of nearly 13%, in some cases, when two people travelling together use the new Off Peak Day Returns against the traditional Duo as seen in the examples below:
Blackburn to Preston
2 x SDR (Anytime Day Return) with 25% reduction = £9.45
2 x CDR (Off Peak Day Return) = £10.60
Reflects an increase of 12.2%
Blackburn to Colne
2 x SDR (Anytime Day Return) with 25% reduction = £13.05
2 x CDR (Off Peak Day Return) = £14.60
Reflects an increase of 12%
Burnley Central to Preston
2 x SDR (Anytime Day Return) with 25% reduction = £16.65
2 x CDR (Off Peak Day Return) = £18.80
Reflects an increase of 12.9%
The lines that have seen Duo tickets discontinued are:
- Clitheroe to Blackburn
- Colne to Preston
- Blackpool (North & South) to Preston
- Lancaster to Barrow in Furness
Off Peak Day Returns (CDR) have also been introduced on the Bentham Line giving opportunities for reduced price off peak travel with savings of around 15% when travelling after 09:30, for stations between Morecambe & Leeds.
Two Together Railcard
Two people who regularly travel together can make savings by purchasing a Two Together Railcard that costs £30 a year (£27 on line) and gives a 1/3 discount on most adults fares throughout Great Britain. This applies to the new Off Peak Day Returns and would make the fares as follows:
Blackburn to Preston £3.50 each Blackburn to Colne £4.80 each Burnley Central to Preston £6.20 each
Other national railcards are available for 16-25 year olds, Family & Friends, Senior and Disabled Persons. These also offer the same discount on most adult fares throughout Great Britain. Full details of all national rail cards can be found on http://www.railcard.co.uk/