From the Cambrian News, an interesting perspective from SARPA (Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association) on online ticket sites:
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=107897&headline=Passengers%20warned%20over%20buying%20train%20tickets%20online§ionIs=news&searchyear=2016TRAIN passengers in North and Mid Wales have been warned to make sure they are getting a good deal when buying train tickets online.
Shropshire and mid Wales rail user Group SARPA, who represent train passengers across mid and north Wales, has received reports of families paying “substantially more for journeys than needs be”.
Sarpa recommends avoiding online rail ticket companies, such as Trainline.com, and use ticket offices instead where rail users are more likely to get the best deal.
One example cited by SARPA includes three adult tickets for a day trip to Barmouth from Shrewsbury on Saturday, 13 August.
Trainline offered the tickets for £61.50, including a £1.50 booking fee, but the best price possible was actually £45, a saving of over 25 per cent.
SARPA argues that had the prospective travellers called into their nearest booking office, they would have been made aware of the cheaper rates.
In response, a spokesperson for Trainline.com said: “Trainline has always aimed to offer passengers the best fare possible."
See the full story in Thursday’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News