Railcard discounts to be slashed in blow to train travellers

Rail operators want to boost the income from fares

Railcard discounts are set to be cut this month.

A number of different types of Railcard are available to people aged 16-30 and over 60. They are advertised as saving customers one-third on rail fares, and are currently applied at a rate of 34 per cent.

However, this discount is going down in a matter of weeks.

From September 15, the discount will be reduced to 33.4 per cent, the PA news agency reports.

This is as part of efforts from rail operators to boost income from fares.

According to figures from the Office of Rail and Road, revenue from passengers was £10.3bn in the year to the end of March, compared with £12.7bn 2019-20.

But the move has been described as a “step in the wrong direction” by some, even though it will only add a small amount to ticket prices.

For example, on September 14, an off-peak return from London Manchester would cost a Railcard owner £71.90, down from £109.

The following say, September 15, the same ticket will cost £72.55, the BBC reports.

Railcards for families travelling with children, people with disabilities and military veterans will also be affected by the change.

Other examples of how prices would change are a return fare from Cardiff to London rising from £194.15 to £195.90, and a Birmingham to Manchester return trip going up from £72.60 to £73.25.

Bruce Williamson, of lobby group Railfuture, said: “While this represents a very tiny increase in fares for some passengers, it’s a step in the wrong direction.

“As the slogan goes, every little helps, so why risk irritating passengers for a few pence?”

A spokesperson for Railcard, the organisation which manages the discount cards on behalf of train operators, said: “The cost of a Railcard hasn’t increased for over 10 years and will continue to provide customers with a third off their rail fare for just £30 a year – a cost that can be made back in just one or two journeys.”