Trainline probed by UK competition watchdog over booking fees

Trainline PLC (LSE:TRN) is facing an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority over "drip pricing". The rail and coach ticketing platform is one of three companies targeted by the regulator in a fresh crackdown on a practice where mandatory charges are separated from the headline price or added later during a purchase. The CMA said it had observed fees ranging from £0.59 to £2.79 on advance train bookings made through Trainline's app and website. Coach bookings carried a £1.50 fee. Trainline had previously received an advisory letter from the regulator and has been engaging with it for several months. The company said it was "taking steps to enhance the presentation of certain fees" and would continue working with the CMA. "Trainline is committed to full compliance with all applicable consumer laws, including the DMCCA, and will continue to cooperate fully with the CMA," it said. The investigation is at an early stage and the CMA stressed it had not concluded that Trainline had broken consumer law. However, the regulator's strengthened powers mean the potential financial consequences are significant. If it finds an infringement, the CMA can impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover and order compensation for affected customers. Trainline reported net ticket sales of £6 billion for the year ended 28 February 2025, with revenue of £442 million. Virgin Atlantic and RED Driving School are also being investigated over how mandatory charges are presented. The investigation comes amid a widening crackdown on online pricing. In April, the AA was fined £4.2 million after its driving schools failed to include a mandatory £3 booking fee in the in...