Chris Grayling defends expensive last-minute rail fares

Transport secretary says passengers can avoid fares of up to £338 by planning in advance
The transport secretary has defended train companies that charge more than £300 for peak-time fares, as he launched the biggest overhaul of Britain’s railways in a generation.Chris Grayling said passengers should book in advance to avoid paying fares in the hundreds of pounds. A standard Manchester to London peak-time fare is £338 return. The first off-peak train from Manchester doesn