A NEW fares war could see York train passengers benefit from cut-price tickets after a leading company announced plans to fill up empty seats on its services.

Virgin today announced it was considering a scheme that would overhaul its ticket prices on its Cross Country services, which run from York to cities including Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth and Newcastle.

The company is looking at offering unsold tickets on the day of departure at the same price as those offered 14 days before - in an airline-style attempt to tempt last-minute customers.

While value tickets are available weeks before departure, prices usually steadily increase the closer it gets to the travelling day.

This scheme would allow passengers to gain from cheap fares if seats are available on the day they wish to travel. That could more than cut in half the price of some on-the-day tickets.

Virgin said the new scheme "would not come in overnight", but if it becomes reality the company could find itself gaining the upper-hand in its East Coast battle with GNER. Both run services on the flagship line between York and Newcastle.

GNER today said it was not considering a scheme of this type.

A spokesman said it would continue to offer discounts for passengers who book in advance.

A Virgin spokesman said: "We are aware that, at certain times, there is some under-capacity on some of our trains.

"This scheme would apply to West Coast and Cross Country services although it is something that will not happen immediately.

"This is something that we are very keen to take forward, but it will not happen overnight."

GNER spokesman John Gelson said: "One of the main success stories of GNER over the last nine years has been the growth in advance purchase ticket discounts, which for example allow return travel between York and London from £19 standard class, or £59 first class.

"We will continue to offer such discounts as an incentive to our passengers to book in advance and travel at off-peak times when there is spare capacity on our trains. The message is: book in advance for the best deal."

Francis Critchley, deputy secretary of the Rail Passengers' Committee for North-East England, welcomed the news, but had reservations.

She said: "It sounds like good news for the passengers, but we are struggling to understand how it will be managed. It's going to be difficult for staff."

Updated: 08:36 Wednesday, May 04, 2005