NORTHERN Rail has announced plans to reward their customers and encourage more people to ditch their cars for the train.

After their £1 'flash sale' last week, Northern plans to reward 1,000 of its season ticket customers with the cost of their commute.

The main train operator which travels through St Helens train stations is launching the ‘Big Commuter Giveaway'’ promotion to anyone who buys a daily, weekly or annual season ticket during September or October.

It is hoped the move will encourage more people to ditch the car and take the train to work.

Anyone who buys a season ticket during that time will be entered into a draw from which 500 people a month will win back the cost of their ticket up to the value of £100.

St Helens Star: St Helens Central stationSt Helens Central station (Image: St Helens Star)

Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said: “Following the success of our £1 flash sale, we wanted to give something back to our season ticket customers, who commute to work with us on a regular basis.

“And to those that haven’t bought a season ticket before – but are facing rising petrol prices and mounting city centre parking charges - we hope the chance to win back the cost of their commute might help convince them to make the switch from road to rail.

“We’ve made great strides in the last 12-18 months in terms of the customer experience – with our new fleet of modern trains and station renovations. I’m confident new rail commuters will be pleasantly surprised.”

For more information about season tickets and to enter the draw, visit this link.