Abstract This paper reports on the discovery of a new population of transient neutron stars. This new class of pulsars is characterized by quasi-periodic bursting with a non-radiating or `switched off' state, the duration of which exceeds the radiating `on' state. There are currently four such objects known, the prototype being the isolated pulsar B1931+24 (J1933+2421). This pulsar emits radio radiation for approximately 4–10 days before switching off completely for between 30–40 days, hence it is only visible for ~10%−20% of the time. It is therefore concluded from simple calculations, that many more of these objects must exist and this will have large consequences for the population estimates of neutron stars in our Galaxy. Further studies will provide information about the conditions necessary for radio emission.
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