London-to-Edinburgh rail operator Lumo has launched a new, digital-only ticket, LumoFlex.
The ticket offers passengers options to refund or amend their journey without paying a fee, although they will have to pay the difference if the new fare is more expensive.
Lumo, which is the operating name for FirstGroup on this route, sees the new ticket as an asset in its ongoing effort to persuade passengers to take the train rather than flying. Data shows that travelling on an electric Lumo train is 95% greener than flying with a return journey from London to Edinburgh, saving the equivalent of eleven trees' worth of annual carbon dioxide.
The ticket also allows passengers to reserve a seat.
Commenting on the new offer, Lumo's Head of Commercial, Tom McFall said: “This new product gives more choice so that customers can book with the peace of mind that if their plans change they can refund or rebook their ticket at no extra cost.
“Since launching at the end of 2021, we have been committed to offering customers great value fares, but we also recognise that customers increasingly want more flexible options. Our new LumoFlex product is designed to meet that need. In successfully delivering this ‘semi-flex' product, which is the first of its kind in the UK rail industry, we're giving customers the option to increase their flexibility.”
Maybe Lumo could allow some of their trains to stop at York station coming to and from Edinburgh Waverley. And LNER to operate new service to Cleethorpes from next year and perhaps operate a new service to Scarborough from next year.