New 16-17 railcard offering half price train tickets to go on sale next week
MORE than one million young adults will be able to get half price off train travel with a new 16-17 railcard launching next week.
Designed to help those travelling to school or college by train, the new discount is predicted to save around 1.2 million people £186 a year on commuting.
But it comes as more misery for train users was announced this morning with rail fares expected to be hiked by 2.8 per cent next year.
The rise in fares is based on July’s retail prices index (RPI) measure of inflation, which has been announced today as 2.8 per cent.
We’ve asked the Department for Transport if their £186 annual saving estimate for the new 16-17 railcard takes into account the rail increases or if this is based on current prices.
We’ll update this story once we know more.
What other railcards are available?
FREQUENT train users can buy a range of railcards to help lower the price of rail fares.
Apart from the new 16-17 railcard, the others include:
- - Discounts for people aged 16-25 but discounts can last while someone is aged 26, depending on when they purchased the card. Price - £30 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
- - Discounts for people aged 26-30 but discounts can last while someone is aged 31, depending on when they purchased the card. Price - £30 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
- - Discounts for people aged 60 or over. Price - £30 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
- - Discounts for two named people travelling together over the age of 16. Price - £30 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
- - Discounts for people with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. Price - £20 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
- - Discounts for children aged 5-15 while travelling with an adult. Price - £30 for one year. Discount - 60 per cent off child tickets.
- - Discounts for people travelling in the South East. Price - £20 for one year. Discount - 1/3 off rail fares.
The 16-17 railcard is available to buy on August 20 and is valid for tickets from September 2, the day most young adults go back to school.
The discount will cost £30 and lasts for one year or until the holder turns 18 but unlike most railcards, it doesn’t extend beyond the age range.
Train users can currently buy a 16-25 railcard up until the day before their 26th birthday.
But with the 16-17 railcard, you’ll stop receiving any discounts the day you turn 18.
The new discount will be available to and is available to download in digital format on your phone or as a physical card.
Holders can then get discounts on journeys in England and Wales, and into Scotland, but not on ScotRail or the Caledonian Sleeper.
To get the cheaper fares, you’ll need to present your card to train station station when buying your tickets.
Or if you’re purchasing them from a ticket machine, make sure you select the option for a 16-17 railcard.
You’ll need to have your railcard with you while travelling to qualify for cheaper fares.
Chris Heaton-Harris, rail minister at the Department for Transport, said: “The brand-new saver means that a generation of rail passengers can now benefit from cheaper fares, keeping money in their pocket and helping them get to school, college and work.”
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