A quick guide to the Senior Railcard and Disabled Persons Railcard
This article was published in 2016. For the latest information about Network Senior Railcards visit the website of your local provider, or take a look at our article on about the new Trainline Railcard.
Older and disabled people are amongst those who can enjoy discounts on travelling by train by taking up railcard offers. Northern Rail has created this quick guide to the benefits of railcards in the UK and how to apply for them.
In terms of comfort, availability and ease of access, train travel remains one of the best forms of public transport. It is particularly popular with seniors and the disabled, because of the accessibility options that most train stations and carriages now provide.
As governments have encouraged more people to use trains for public transport over the years, they have improved those accessibility options. Governments have also provided discounts for specific rail users who may depend on public transport for financial reasons or because they are physically impaired.
Two of those discount cards are:
- Senior Railcard — which gives seniors access to rail travel discounts
- Disabled Person Railcard — which gives train travel discounts to people with disabilities
This article will walk you through the process of applying for these discount cards.
Benefits and restrictions of the Senior Railcard
The Senior Railcard is available for any UK citizen who is over the age of 60. It costs £30 per year.
The benefits of the card include:
- 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares
- Various discounts with Senior Railcard partners including museums, theatres, sightseeing companies, and hotels
It’s important to understand that the card is not valid when travelling between two stations inside London and the South East area during morning peak time. Also the card can’t be used to obtain a discount on Eurostar tickets, season tickets, some train companies already offering discounts, tickets for charter trains and most London underground and docklands light railway tickets.
Seniors can also purchase a three-year Railcard for £70, giving an additional saving of £20 compared to buying annual cards.
How to Get a Senior Railcard
There are three ways you can obtain a Senior Railcard: online, at a station ticket office or by phone.
- Online. To buy a Senior Railcard online, the applicant will need a valid passport or a UK driving licence. They will also need a valid debit card or credit card. Then they can simply visit the Senior Railcard website to begin the process. The railcard will then be sent out via the mail within five days. Don’t forget to keep your personal data protected. Download VPN Android apk and use it when purchasing tickets to prevent your payment information from theft.
- At the station. A Senior Railcard can be bought at any staffed station ticket office or National Rail-licensed Travel Agent. The applicant can either fill in the application form at the ticket office or download the form and complete it before going to the station. The applicant will need to take one form of identification to prove their identity and age —birth certificate, passport or a UK driving licence are all ideal. They can then register the card online if they wish to renew it via the website at a later date.
- By phone. Call 0345 3000 250 (07:00-22:00 any day except Christmas Day). Calls are charged at the national rate. Applicants will need a valid passport or UK driving license. The railcard will then be posted out within five days.
Using the Senior Railcard
The Senior Railcard can be used to order tickets via the Internet, phone or at a station ticket booth.
The holder should always carry their Senior Railcard with them while travelling and present it to ticket inspectors if asked.
Disabled Persons Railcard
As with the Senior Railcard, the Disabled Persons Railcard offers 1/3 off rail travel. The card also includes discounts for museums, theatres, sightseeing companies, and hotels.
The Disabled Persons Railcard only costs £20 annually but there are stricter eligibility guidelines which differ depending on a person’s disability.
Determining eligibility is much more complex with a Disabled Persons Railcard. The card is available for anyone who:
- Receives Personal Independence Payments (PIP).The applicant will need to present a copy of their award letter.
- Receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or the higher or middle rate for the care component. The applicant will need to supply a copy of their award letter.
- Has a visual impairment. This requires a copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI), BP1 Certificate (Scotland) or BD8 Certificate for being registered blind or partially-sighted.
- Has a hearing impairment. Againa copy of the award letter will be needed.
- Has epilepsy and has repeated attacks despite medication or is prohibited from driving because of epilepsy.They will need a copy of their Exemption Certificate for epilepsy medication and a photocopy of their prescription for drugs in line with the National Society for Epilepsy guidelines or a photocopy of their letter from the DVLA telling them that they are unable to drive.
- Receives Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance. This requires a copy of the award letter.
- Receives War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement. This also requires a copy of the award letter.
- Receives War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability. This too needs a copy of the award letter.
- Buys or leases a vehicle through the Motability scheme. The applicant will need a recent copy of their leasing or hire-purchase agreement.
To obtain a Disabled Persons Railcard, they can:
- Apply online by visiting the Disabled Persons Railcard website to fill in an online form. The applicant will need a scan or photograph of the paperwork proving their disability. They will also need a valid debit card or credit card. Allow five working days for the Railcard to be delivered.
- Download and complete an application form form from the Disabled Persons Railcard website. The completed form should be sent to:
Disabled Persons Railcard
PO Box 6613
Arbroath
DD11 9AN
Make cheques and postal orders payable to “Disabled Persons Railcard”. Allow 10 working days for the Railcard to be delivered.
A Disabled Persons Railcard can be used when ordering a ticket via the Internet, phone or at a station ticket booth. Cardholders should keep the card with them during the journey.
Services while travelling for people with impaired mobility
In addition to discounted travel for seniors and the disabled, there is help available at railway stations for people with physical impairments. Most railway stations have staff who can assist anyone with mobility issues as they board or exit trains. There are two ways to obtain this form of help (called travel assistance):
- By contacting the train company that they will be traveling with, at least 24 hours in advance of the journey. The phone numbers are available on the National Rail website.
- By completing an online form via the Disabled Persons Railcard website. Passengers can ask for assistance at the origin station, destination station and stations between the two locations.
Help may be available by simply asking at the ticket counter, but that is not always the case, so should not be relied upon.
Some railway stations also have scooters to help people with mobility issues navigate the train station. It is important to understand that only some stations have staff on hand to provide assistance, so it is crucial to book ahead and plan a trip thoroughly.
Northern Rail connects tens of thousands of people to work, leisure, education and more every day in the North of England.
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Does the carer go free when traveling with a dependant person?
That’s a very good question. Finding this sort of information on train company websites can be difficult. The most likely answer is that a disabled persons railcard, which has to be paid for, entitles the holder and one other person to a third off the usual price of fares, as explained here https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/the-benefits/
It would definitely be worth talking to someone at your local rail company or National Rail to check the situation. Definitely no mention of free travel though, sad to say!
Can a 3 year rail card be boought on the phone?
Sadly it looks like the answer is no. This is from the National Rail Enquiries website at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr7bb7e80a040002001b255638df2424.asp
:
‘Now you can also buy a 3-year Senior Railcard, available only online. It’s great value at £70, saving you an extra £20 on the cost of renewing your 1-year Railcard for three consecutive years.
Please visit the Senior Railcard website for more information.’
The senior railcard website is at https://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/
I managed to do so after explaining that my computer was blocking my application on the last page
An award letter for a hearing impairment?
Hi
Been trying to buy my disabled rail card all day no success
Not easy site to use
People do seem to be having trouble with this one. I bought a 2-year seniors railcard which was easy enough to order, but of course I’ve had little use of it and it’s nearly at an end. They’ve just sent a reminder to renew! I also found that because I was usually travelling with friends, the 4-for-3 deal gave the same discount anyway.
I just bought a senior rail card last month but regret I have just become disabled can I swop it
I suspect that is unlikely, but your best best is to get in touch directly with the company from which you bought the card.
Some local authorities will also offer a discount service. Cheshire East used to provide mine for £27 at local libraries. Shropshire provide it for £9, as long as you choose it instead of a free bus pass!
Thank you for that. Really helpful
How do I apply my senior Railcard discount when buying through the Trainline app? It gives no option to do it, as far as I can see.
Can you use a senior railcard on a Sunday. I’m trying to book a trip Wednesday to Sunday and the Sunday fare is a lot more expensive
Hello Margaret. Probably the best place to find answers is the Senior Citizens Railcard page https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/railcards/senior-railcard and specifically the terms and conditions of use https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/railcards/terms-of-use#senior. There is also now an app (of course!) which gives you a digital railcard, which might be more helpful. Kathy at When They Get Older.
Where do you enter the senior rail card number to get the discount on National Rail Avanti?
If you live overseas (but receive a British pension) can you still apply for a Senior rail card and a bus pass?
My passport is out of date & I can’t drive so no licence. How can I get a senior Railcard
I’ve checked the application process for the Trainline online railcard, and it does appear you need a UK driving licence, a passport or an EEA card to prove identity. Can only suggest you enquire at your local ticket office.
Can you use a Senior and disabled card together eg 60 plus with hearing impediment to buy a ticket and get 2/3 off ?
I am trying to renew my disabled rail card can you help please as itkeeps saying there is a problem with my details
Hello June. I’m sorry but we don’t have direct access to Trainline’s systems. The best way to contact them might be using social media as companies often respond quickly to tweets or possibly Facebook comments. Hope that helps. Kathy at When They Get Older
Does west coast railway in ft William accept senior rail cards?
Hi ,i am British citizen living in South Africa I am 74 years of age .I will be visiting family in the UK for 2 weeks 14 days .Is there any discounted travel that i will be entitled to in tgat 14 dayss be it bus tune or overland rail outdide of peak hours and if so will i be able to purcgase such siscounted travel on an oyster card Any assistance will be appreciated Arthur
Hello Arthur. Thanks for the question. There’s some information about discounted travel in this article https://whentheygetolder.co.uk/quality-of-life/pastimes/travel-and-holidays/days-out/tips-on-affording-an-enjoyable-retirement/ but you either need to buy a discount card that’s valid for a year for train and coach travel, or live in the UK for a free bus or underground pass. It would still be worth having a look at offers from companies such as Trainline https://www.thetrainline.com/information/cheap-train-tickets and London Underground https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares/tube-and-rail-fares to check the cheapest prices available. Sadly they’re all a bit complex, despite efforts to simplify fares recently. Hope you enjoy your break with your family. Kathy at When They Get Older
I am disabled and over 65 so qualify for “both cards” is 30% the most you asre entitled to ??
Yes, I believe it is. But a third off the price of a ticket is still worth while I think.