Advance purchase tickets

[Adrian1980uk]

These are fix to a train for a discount on the turn up and go ticket prices, historically I guess the train could theoretically have been increased in length if the advanced tickets filled up the train. What advantage does the TOC get to offer them at a discount these days as we know the train is going run at a fixed length if 1 passenger or is full and crush loaded.

 

[yorkie]

These are fix to a train for a discount on the turn up and go ticket prices.....

On longer distance routes it's more that passengers have to treat it like an airline; the only affordable way to travel is to buy an Advance. Walk-up fares are charged at a premium.

What advantage does the TOC get to offer them at a discount these days ...

Charging differential rates is an example of market based pricing in action; different people are prepared to pay different sums.

If you charge everyone the same, that means some people ditch the train and go by coach/air or by car or simply don't travel (depending on various factors) while others who'd be prepared to pay more end up paying less.

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Thoughtful pricing strategies for tour operators - Rezgo

Tour costing and pricing is important to get right, especially for new tour operators. Here are some helpful tips for how to price your tours.

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. If there is high demand, you may be able to charge higher prices and focus on adding value. If demand is low for some reason, e.g. it’s a new type of activity that hasn’t taken off yet or there has been a change in market conditions that reduced demand, then your price can reflect that lower demand, and then rise as demand increases.

Adapting pricing to market conditions is known as market-based pricing. The key is to constantly monitor your market, including what people want and what they’re willing to pay for—and how much they’re willing to pay—as well as your competition, inflation, and other timely factors.

 

[JBuchananGB]

This Saturday I will be travelling from Southport to London and back. I could buy an Off-peak return for flexible travel, costing £69.55, but in fact I have bought Advance Tickets using different routes, and incorporating a split with a Super Off-peak Single, total cost to me £53.28. Of course I must travel on specific trains. If this fare had not been possible, I might have decided not to make the trip. Advantage to TOC: I bought tickets.

 

[yorkie]

If a trip to London cost me £136.80 for standard class (which often means being sat next to someone - which limits my productivity - and forego either decent legroom or a table), I'd not be wanting to make the journey anywhere near as often as I do.

Advance fares are not discounted (both in a technical sense and also in reality).

 

[transportphoto]

In theory, they’re offered based upon demand. The busier the train tends to be, the less the quota available of advance tickets. If a train is regularly full and standing, you shouldn’t see [m]any advance tickets.

Price is determined through an interaction of supply and demand… if the railway works to any form of normal economics (which I know it doesn’t!!)

 

[Merseysider]

If a train is regularly full and standing, you shouldn’t see [m]any advance tickets.

Try telling that to CrossCountry