The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) comprising seven UK-based rail companies has agreed to allow long distance passengers to buy cheaper advance tickets up to ten minutes before the departure of the train.

The initiative will allow the passengers of Grand Central, Greater Anglia, Northern, TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains East Coast, Virgin Trains West Coast and Caledonian Sleeper to buy tickets on the day of travel.

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Rail operator CrossCountry previously introduced the service in 2015 and has since reportedly sold more than one million journeys with Advance tickets.

Advance tickets are reduced fares for a limited number of seats on specific trains, which now can be purchased as little as ten minutes before the time of departure.

The decision is expected to help those passengers who need to make urgent train journeys for professional or personal reasons.

"Not everyone can plan journeys in advance and now more people can buy cheaper tickets on the day, even on their way to the station."

Rail Delivery Group Customer Experience managing director Jacqueline Starr said: “Not everyone can plan journeys in advance, and now more people can buy cheaper tickets on the day, even on their way to the station.

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“We want customers to get the best possible deal whenever they travel. With 97% of your fare going back into running and improving the railway, investment is driving quicker improvement, more choice and greater freedom.”

Advance tickets had previously only been available to buy until midnight on the day before the journey in most cases.

RDG noted that the sale of Advance tickets has increased nearly four-fold in the last ten years.

In addition, passengers can now also see online when only a few Advance tickets are left, according to the action plan for fares and ticketing agreed by the rail industry.

The step will allow the passengers to browse and take and advantage of the most competitive prices.