Virgin Trains launches bizarre #Avocard promotion for those unable to get millennial railcard

The not-so-humble avocado finds itself the centre of attention once again

It may sound like the dawn of the end of days, but #Avocard is a thing, brought to us by Virgin Trains.

The move comes in response to the nationwide launch of the much-anticipated 26-30 Railcard on 13 March, which proved so popular that the website crashed continuously throughout the day.

With only 10,000 available (roughly one for every 500 travellers within the eligible age bracket), demand for the so-called millennial railcard was huge, and trying to bag one was likened to attempting to buy Glastonbury tickets.

Those lucky enough to have got the £30 card may save up to £150 a year, with a third off most off-peak rail fares.

Given the shortage of cards available, they were snapped up by the end of the day, prompting Virgin Trains to step in and offer solace to those who missed out.

Solace, in this case, comes in the form of an ovoid-shaped fruit from Mexico: the avocado.

It was never meant to be like this (Alamy)

For one week only, Virgin Trains is offering anyone aged 26-30 who turns up at a station with an avocado the same discount as that offered by the gilded railcard.

“Bring an avocado when buying your Virgin Trains ticket and passengers aged 26 to 30 can get the same discount as offered by the millennial railcard,” the company said in a statement.

“The #Avocard is valid on all Virgin Trains West Coast journeys from today until midnight on 20 March.

“Can’t get hold of the new millennial railcard due to high levels of demand crashing the railcard.co.uk website? Fear not, as Virgin Trains may just ‘avo’ the answer. Try the #Avocard for size.”

Those turning up at stations with an avocado in lieu of a railcard will also need to bring photo identification, but will be able to enjoy a third off off-peak travel as well as a tasty – if messy – onboard snack.

Online reaction to Virgin Trains’ fruity offer was muted, to say the least, with many suspicious that it might be a cheap marketing ploy to gain more exposure for the rail company, which currently holds a 63 and 60 per cent satisfaction rating on Which for its East and West Coast services respectively, but has had a few ups and downs in recent months.

Last month, the Transport Select Committee launched an enquiry into Virgin Trains’ East Coast service due to fears that the franchise faced “imminent failure”, while the company came under fire in late 2017 for not allowing a 15-year-old girl to board a train at London Euston with a child ticket.