Latest Rail News

21.11.17

Government to extend railcard travel to 25-30-year-olds

Chancellor Philip Hammond will announce an extension of the 16-25 railcard to cover people up to 30 years old.

The plan is set to be revealed at Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, after successful trials in East Anglia.

It is expected to cost £30 and work in the same way as the current edition, giving travellers up to one third off train tickets.

Jacqueline Starr, managing director of customer experience at the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), said: “It's good news that the government has chosen to build on the trial of a 26-30 railcard by Greater Anglia on behalf of the wider industry.

“A key commitment in our long-term plan to change and improve is to boost communities by enabling more people to travel by train and that's why we developed this proposal.”

The RDG is planning the roll-out of digital railcards, with people able to show their phones rather than carrying a physical copy of the card around with them.

In March, the group also announced that passengers will not be fined for forgetting their railcard the first time they are found travelling without one in the span of a year.

Top image: Lauren Hurley and PA Wire

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Comments

Andrew Gwilt   21/11/2017 at 13:59

Brilliant. That’s good news.

Lutz   21/11/2017 at 14:44

A ridiculous proposal.

Jake   21/11/2017 at 20:21

And why is it a 'ridiculous proposal'? My generation is financially ruined. Wage growth almost stagnant, house prices and rents spiralling through the roof, the financial security and health of 25-30 year olds in 2017 Britain is worse than it was for 18 year olds in the past generation who walked into jobs for life, houses worth x4 the annual salary, and who commuted to work on low British Rail fares to boot. Who engineered this situation? Baby boombers. Who bought up social housing cheap, then installed a green belt to not let any more homes be built, and gave themselves golden goodbyes in the form of unsustainable Final Salary Pensions which we're all now having our salary increases denied to keep funding to prevent BHS being rectified 1000s of times over. Throwing us a bone and saving us £150 per year on train fares is the least this government can do, but still I'd rather to be able to afford a house of my own or have a decent pension as opposed to still having to rent a box-sized bedroom on the outskirts of a large city with students because that's all my 'good job salary' lets me afford. So hush. Here's a proposal, why don't we raise the age of a Senior Railcard up to 67 and scrap Free Bus Passes? After all, the over 60s are now the wealthiest demographic in the country, if anyone doesn't need subsidised fares it's them.

Howard   21/11/2017 at 23:32

Interesting vitriol from Jake on this totally ridiculous proposal. His venom directed towards the Baby Boomers, of which I am admittedly one, is typical of the misguided and selfish approach of many snowflakes in today's younger generation. Has Jake pondered the fact that the reason incomes are tight etc is because the Country is broke and buried in debt. Not just National Debt but exhorbitant debt from people who rush out to buy the latest i-phone at £1000, yet bemoaning their ability to pay an additional £14 per month on their mortgage/rent. This "live for today" attitude is what is dragging the Country into more and more debt. Demographics have also changed with a larger population (which satiates further job availability) and increasing immigration of peoples prepared to work long hours for less money (not racism, just a fact!). Mortgages when I was young carried interest rates up to 18%, today they are what, 2.5%. Wages were menial unless you earned promotion and managed to keep your job amongst tight competition. I hate getting into this "Us and Them" argument but it's time reality hit in some areas. Wonder how much he is investing in his future security, like Pensions, Savings, etc. No I didn't want to either and it hurt but today's security comes from having done so. As for this new Railcard, it is purely political, the TOC's don't want it as it may erode existing revenues. So make merry my friend whilst you can, you may even be able to download it onto your new phone and then Like it on Social Media...yawn!

Ben   22/11/2017 at 13:03

Howard, you're just sinking to the same level. That condescending comment demonstrates exactly why we can't seem to have mature and reasonable debate.

Mmlred   22/11/2017 at 14:50

Brexcellent!

J, Leicester   22/11/2017 at 14:54

Young people blame baby boomers for their woes. Baby boomers blame national debt for their woes. Apparently we're all going to hell in a handbasket. Or a pacer, maybe. Meanwhile, here I am just happy I'll get an extra five years of discounted rail travel at a time when my final railcard is close to expiry. Huh.

Jerry Alderson   23/11/2017 at 18:57

FYI the 18-25 railcard apparently lasts until you are (one day short of) 27, providing that you buy a three-year card on the day before you reach 24 (sic).

Jerry Alderson   23/11/2017 at 18:57

Oops,... 16-25.

Lutz   25/11/2017 at 16:32

If you can not afford to pay your pay either cut your expectations or work harder like everyone else. You may also not have realised that all this is doing is postponing payment to a later date with added interest.

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