16.04.12
Olympic audiences missing out on special fares
Very few 2012 Olympic Games ticket holders have so far booked train travel for the event, with the danger of missing out on advance rail fares specifically for this purpose, ATOC and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have warned.
New figures published by ATOC show that nine out of ten spectators expected to book travel arrangements have yet to do so. Special rail fares available exclusively to Games ticket holders have been on sale since June 2011 and passengers have until early May to secure these before the normal advance tickets go on sale.
David Mapp, commercial director at ATOC, said: “It is a real concern that so many 2012 Games ticket holders are yet to book their rail travel to and from Olympic and Paralympic events. Just one in ten of these good value, flexible tickets have been sold and there are only four months until the Olympics start.
“We want to make sure that everyone going to the Games gets the right ticket for their journey. Anyone who has a 2012 Games ticket should log onto the dedicated website to book rail travel and take advantage of some of the great deals that are available.”
ODA director of transport, Hugh Sumner, said: “We have worked hard alongside the nation’s train companies to get the message out there that spectators can buy their rail tickets a year out from the Games.
“Unfortunately, the response has not been as good as we would have liked. While it is unusual to book so far ahead, spectators who leave it to the last minute will unfortunately miss out on a range of special offers and benefits.
“Leaving it late not only risks people having to pay more for their travel but also means far less flexibility with their travel plans and potentially not being able to get a seat on the train that will get them, their friends and families, to the Games on time this summer.”
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