05/11/12
Southeastern fails to sell out of discounted Portas Pilot train tickets to Margate
by Chris Price
Train operator Southeastern insists it is "happy" with sales of
cut-price rail fares from London to Margate - despite failing
to sell out on their opening weekend.
A total of 500 heavily-discounted tickets from the capital to
the seaside town launched on Saturday.
The Portas Pilot tickets have been inspired by retail guru Mary
Portas, who opened two shops in the seaside town last month to help
its regeneration.
The cheap fairs will be available every weekend until Sunday,
February 24 next year - with the aim of boosting visitor
numbers to the town.
The ticket costs less than a third of a regular off-peak adult
day return from London to Margate, which is normally £31.10.
Southeastern spokesman Alison Nolan said: "We had a good
response to the Portas Pilot ticket offer on the opening
weekend.
"There were 500 tickets available, and while it wasn't a sell
out, we were happy with the uptake.
"We hope that as more people become aware of this great value
offer, we'll see more people take advantage of the cheap travel to
Margate.
"The £10 tickets can be used on metro and mainline services, as
well as our high speed Javelin services, so you can travel from
London to Margate in just 90 minutes."
Southeastern is running
discounted fares from London to Ramsgate
The 500 tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis
every weekend.
Margate is one of 27 Portas Pilot towns picked across
Britain.