Wales: Rail tickets available in convenience stores soon

Transport for Wales is set to launch a new pilot scheme under which selected rail tickets can be purchased from local convenience stores.

Launching on Jan 24, the scheme will be available to customers within the South Wales Metro area stores in 90 different locations.

The scheme will enable the easier availability of the tickets for the travelers who can purchase tickets with cash, if their local station is unstaffed or has a card-only self-service machine.

TfW says that it will be the first train operating company in the UK to partner its SilverRail retailing technology with Payzone which is owned by the Post Office, through which customers will be able to buy rail tickets through instore Payzone devices.

David O’Leary, TfW’s Commercial and Customer Experience Director, said, “This is an exciting pilot that gives customers additional choices about how and where their purchase their rail tickets.

Noel Goulty, Head of Transport and Ticketing at Payzone added, “This is truly a first for rail ticketing, bringing the retailing of rail tickets to the centre of Welsh communities.

“This strategic partnership with SilverRail will deliver a fully accredited system on behalf of Transport for Wales, which is exclusive to Payzone and allows passengers to buy rail tickets, whilst popping into their corner shop for some essentials.

The use of local convenience stores is in addition to being able to purchase TfW rail tickets at ticket offices, online, via the TfW app and by phone.

Rail tickets that can be purchased from the stores include anytime day single Ticket, return Ticket, Small Group Day Single and Small Group Day Return tickets 

David Pitt, SilverRail’s Head of UK, said that bringing rail tickets to the convenience stores will ensure “nobody is left behind by the digital revolution”.