COMPLAINTS have flooded into the Adver offices about First Great Western’s (FGW) ticket price discrepancies for fans wanting to travel to London for Saturday’s final.
Rail users yesterday criticised FGW after many fans were left out of pocket by up to £100, regardless of times or trains.
Some fans bought four Supersaver tickets for £180 – while others paid £63.80 for the same journey plus an all-day tube.
In the know rail users told the Adver that the tip was to ask for GroupSaver4 tickets from Swindon to Didcot, then separate fares from Didcot to Paddington.
David Owen, from Swindon, said: “I know the system so I use it to my benefit if you buy a ticket to Didcot from Swindon and then Didcot to London it costs almost half the price on Saturday and under normal circumstances.”
Vincent Massey, 59, a retired fan from Hungerford, said he was disgusted after finding out his tickets would cost £196 from Swindon and £96 from Hungerford.
He said: “In the good old days we all paid the same price and things were all right.
“But now there doesn’t seem to be any clarity.
“When I called up to order five tickets I was originally quoted £199 but my daughter advised me that it should be cheaper with GroupSaver4.
“On asking the sales person I eventually paid £119.40 (four by £19.90 plus one £39.80).
“I cannot believe some people paid £15.95 including a tube ticket.
“When I asked for the cheapest fare, why did I not get it?”
A First Great Western spokesman said: “There are lots of different fare options available and some customers opting for various routes to get to Wembley and fares do vary depending on when tickets are bought and when people wish to travel.
“We try to strike a balance between offering people the most convenient journey possible with the best deals possible.”
MPs recently released a Parliamentary report claiming the Swindon to London journey was the most expensive like for like journey anywhere in Europe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel