TRAIN operator Great Western Railway has published details of its government-backed Flexi Season tickets due to go on sale from today (Monday, June 21).

Responding to changes in working patterns, the new Flexi Season ticket allows commuters to make eight return journeys over a 28-day window, while saving at least 20 per cent on the cost of an equivalent monthly season ticket, when travelling two days a week at peak times.

The Flexi Season is designed for commuters looking to travel two or three days a week, plugging the gap between season tickets and purchasing multiple Anytime Return tickets.

Tickets go on sale from today for travel from next Monday (June 28) onwards.

GWR’s head of retail Lee Edworthy said: "Commuter travel patterns have been changing for a while, with an increase in part-time working or more flexible arrangements for the number of days required in the office.

“Covid-19 has rapidly hastened this and I’m pleased to be able to offer a new type of flexible ticket to reflect this change in travel behaviour and meet the changing needs of our customers.”

Announced by the Government as part of the Williams Shapps review, the Flexi Season ticket offers savings for commuters travelling during peak times, two to three days per week on routes that currently have season ticket availability.

Traditional season tickets will remain the most cost-effective option for those travelling at peak times for at least three days a week or more.

You can find out the cost of a Flexi season ticket and which ticket is right for your journey by clicking HERE.

The savings that can be made will depend on the journey you make, the number of days travel each week, and the length of the journey.

Flexi Season tickets will be available on GWR’s Smartcard and can be bought online at GWR.com, or on the GWR App.

They will also be made available from ticket offices in the near future.

When travelling it will operate in a similar way to other types of electronic ticket, by tapping in and out at stations to record your journey. Customers will need to activate their Flexi Season for each day they travel, which is done by tapping in/out at gates/validators or using the National Rail Smartcard Manager App.