Club 55 opens soon

Monday 24 August 2009

ScotRail’s popular Club 55 is re-opening a month early – on Tuesday 1 September 2009.

It will run until Sunday 13 December 2009, giving customers more time for great value rail travel around Scotland.

The offer also includes travel to and from Berwick-Upon-Tweed for the first time.

And prices have been frozen for the third year in a row.

Club 55 is for customers aged 55 and over and provides off-peak rail travel to hundreds of destinations in Scotland – plus Carlisle, and now Berwick.

Standard Class travel is only £15 return or – as an extra treat – customers can travel First Class for £19 return with Club 55 Premier on selected routes.

Senior Railcard holders and Disabled Persons Railcard holders over 55 get the additional bonus of a further £2 discount on both fares.

Graeme Macfarlan, ScotRail’s marketing manager, said: “The extra month should come in handy for customers because there are so many destinations to choose from.”

He added: “Club 55 is one of our most popular ticket offers.”

Club 55 offers day trips or longer breaks without stretching the purse strings.  For example, it is possible to take in the spectacular scenery on the West Highland Line – recently voted the world’s best railway journey – for only £15 return.

Or, for customers who prefer the bright lights of cities, Club 55 is the perfect way to enjoy a weekend break shopping in Glasgow, see the historic sights of Edinburgh or take in the Granite City.

Media enquiries:
Carla Rinaldi, ScotRail Communications: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com
Clare Meikle, ScotRail Communications: 0141 335 5152 / clare.meikle@firstgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Club 55 tickets are valid on all train operators’ services that run in Scotland, apart from the Jacobite Steam and Caledonian Sleeper services.

Club 55 Premier tickets must be booked in advance – no later than 6pm the day before travel – and are subject to availability.  These tickets are only available on the following routes:
• Aberdeen – Inverness
• Aberdeen – Edinburgh or Glasgow
• Inverness – Edinburgh or Glasgow

Promotional travel is valid anytime at the weekend and after 0915 Monday to Friday.  However, travel is not valid on:
• Services departing Glasgow Queen Street/Central, Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket between 1642 and 1809 inclusive
• The 1815 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street service.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.scotrail.co.uk/club55, via telesales on 08457 55 00 33, at staffed stations and from all Rail Appointed Travel Agents.  If boarding at a station without ticketing facilities, purchases can be made on-train.

First TransPennine Express will be launching Club 55 on Monday 6 September for eligible customers in the North of England. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with ScotRail’s Club 55 offer.

Full details of Club 55 are available at www.scotrail.co.uk/club55