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RailUK Fares & Ticketing Guide - Section 6 - Discounted Fares

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district

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6.1 Railcards

There are a number of Railcards offering discounted travel. Each Railcard has its own eligibility criteria and conditions of use. The details of national Railcards and Network Railcard are provided in the posts below. Additionally there are local area Railcards that are available for residents of, and use in, selected areas.

For travel within the London zonal area, you can use some types of Railcards to obtain discounts on off-peak Oyster Pay-As-You-Go fares and off-peak daily caps. The discount entitlement must be loaded manually onto your Oyster card. A detailed set of instructions for ticket office staff who are unfamiliar with this transaction is provided here.
 
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6.1.1 16-25 Railcard

The 16-25 Railcard is available to everyone under the age of 26. It is also available to anyone in full-time education. The Railcard currently costs £30 for a year and is valid until the expiry date, even if the holder turns 26 during this period.

The 16-25 Railcard entitles the holder to 34% off all Standard Class single and return fares. The same discount is available on First Class Advance fares, but not on First Class walk-on fares. It also offers a discount on most ranger and rover products, usually 34% but please check.

If you travel between 04.30 and 09.59 on Mondays to Fridays, a minimum fare of £12 applies to all walk-on single and return fares. This means that if your fare is more expensive than £12, the minimum you will have to pay is £12. If your fare is £12 or less, you will not get any discount. If you regularly travel at that time on Mondays - Fridays, a season ticket might be more economical.

The £12 minimum fare does not apply at weekends, on public holidays or on any day in July and August, or to advance tickets.

London Travelcards have separate minimum fare arrangements. For details please see Section 5.9.5.

The 16-25 Railcard can be obtained from any staffed station ticket office or online. A 3-year version which is better value (currently £70) is available for online purchase only, but cannot be purchased after your 24th birthday. If you are a full-time student over the age of 25, you must have the relevant sections on your application form completed by your institution. You will need to provide a passport-sized photo (or an electronic photo if applying online) the first time you apply for a Railcard. The Railcard issued at a ticket office should consist of a Photocard and the Railcard itself. The Railcard issued online should come with your Photocard and the Railcard in one.

The commonly used code for the 16-25 Railcard in Ticket Issuing Systems is YNG, derived from the product's previous name of Young Persons Railcard, however the code printed on tickets with the relevant discount applied is "16-25."

In addition to the above, the 16-25 Railcard gives the holder access to discounted off-peak single fares and off-peak caps on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services within the London zonal area when using Oyster PAYG (Pay As You Go). You must ask for this entitlement to be added to your Oyster card manually. This can be done at any London Underground ticket office, amongst others. These are not subject to minimum fares, therefore you can touch in before 06.30 on a weekday and pay the discounted single fare, although this fare will count towards the undiscounted peak cap (which does not offer a Railcard discount), not the discounted off-peak cap. Once this has been added to your Oyster card, you must not give your Oyster card to anyone else to use.

Furthermore, some Train Companies offer additional discounts to holders of 16-25 Railcards, such as First Transpennine Express, who offer 50% off rather than the usual 1/3 on their Advance fares if booked through this dedicated link.
 
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6.1.2 Senior Railcard

The Senior Railcard is available to anyone aged 60 and over. The Railcard costs £30 for a year currently.

The Senior Railcard entitles the holder to 34% off all single and return fares. It also offers a discount on most ranger and rover products, usually 34% but please check.

The Senior Railcard has no time restrictions if travelling outside the Network area. For journeys wholly within the Network area, the Railcard is valid at the same time the Off-Peak Day Return or Off-Peak Day Travelcard fare for the journey becomes valid. There are some exceptions so please check.

Minimum fares apply to London Travelcards. See Section 5.9.5 for more details.

The Senior Railcard can be obtained from any staffed station ticket office or online. A 3-year version which is better value (currently £70) is available for online purchase only.

The commonly used code for the Senior Railcard in Ticket Issuing Systems is SRN, however the code printed on tickets with the Senior Railcard discount applied is "SNR".

In addition to the above, the Senior Railcard gives the holder access to discounted off-peak single fares and off-peak caps on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services within the London zonal area when using Oyster PAYG (Pay As You Go). You must ask for this entitlement to be added to your Oyster card manually. This can be done at any London Underground ticket office, amongst others. These are not subject to minimum fares, therefore you can touch in before 06.30 on a weekday and pay the discounted single fare, although this fare will count towards the undiscounted peak cap (which does not offer a Railcard discount), not the discounted off-peak cap. Once this has been added to your Oyster card, you must not give your Oyster card to anyone else to use.
 
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6.1.3 Disabled Persons Railcard

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 a year currently and is available to anyone who;

  • is in receipt of disability-related benefits;
  • is registered blind or partially sighted;
  • is registered deaf or uses a hearing aid;
  • has epilepsy;
  • has bought or leased a vehicle through the 'Motability' scheme.

The Disabled Persons Railcard gives a 34% discount on all single and return fares, including most ranger and rover products, usually 34% but please check.

Discounted fares apply at all times without any minimum fare, except on London Travelcards (See Section 5.9.5). One accompanying adult can also receive the full 34% discount. One accompanying adult travelling with a child Railcard holder can also receive the full discount provided that the child Railcard holder does not receive a discount (ie. travelling at the normal child rate).

The Railcard is not available from ticket offices. A 3-year version which is better value (currently £54) is also available on application. You need to download the application form and send it to Rail Travel Made Easy, PO Box 11631, Laurencekirk, AB30 9AA. Renewals can be purchased online or over the telephone on 0845 605 0525 or textphone on 0845 601 0132.

The commonly used code for the Disabled Persons Railcard in Ticket Issuing Systems is DIS (for adults) and DIC (for children), however the code printed on tickets with the Disabled Persons Railcard discount applied is "DSB" (for adults) and "CHDSB" (for children) respectively.

In addition to the above, the Disabled Persons Railcard gives the holder access to discounted single fares and caps on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services within the London zonal area when using Oyster PAYG (Pay As You Go). You must ask for this entitlement to be added to your Oyster card manually. This can be done at any London Underground ticket office, amongst others. You are entitled to the discount of all fares and caps. Once this has been added to your Oyster card, you must not give your Oyster card to anyone else to use.
 
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6.1.4 Family & Friends Railcard

The Family & Friends Railcard provides a 34% discount on adult fares and a 60% discount on child fares when at least one named adult travels with at least one child in Standard Class. Up to two adults can be named on the card. All passengers using tickets discounted by the same Railcard must travel together at all times. Discount is not available in First Class, except for upgrades to First Class at weekends (subject to availability) upon payment of the appropriate supplement.

The discount is available at all times on journeys which start or end outside of the Network area. For journeys wholly within the Network area, the Railcard is valid at the same time the Off-Peak Day Return or Off-Peak Day Travelcard fare for the journey becomes valid. There are some exceptions so please check. There is a minimum fare of £1 for each child on a Family & Friends Railcard.

London Travelcards have separate minimum fare arrangements. For details please see Section 5.9.5.

The Railcard is available for purchase at £30 per year currently (or £70 for 3 years) from any ticket office or online. No photograph is required.

The commonly used code for the Family & Friends Railcard in Ticket Issuing Systems is FAM. The code printed on tickets with the this particular discount applied is "FAM" (for adults) and "CHFAM" (for children) respectively.
 
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6.1.5 Armed Forces Railcard

The HM Forces Railcard provides a 34% discount on adult fares and a 60% discount on child fares for accompanying children.

The HM Forces Railcard is available only to HM Forces personnel, their spouses and dependent children aged 16 and 17. It costs £15 and is available from Ministry of Defence staff administration offices.

Each Railcard holder can have up to four accompanying children at any time. Railcard holders who are dependents of forces personnel may not buy discounted child tickets for accompanying children.

Although the discount is available at all times, similar to the 16-25 Railcard, there is a minimum fare of £12 between 04.30 and 09.59 on weekdays. The £12 minimum fare does not apply at weekends, on public holidays or on any day in July and August.

London Travelcards have separate minimum fare arrangements. For details please see Section 5.9.5.

Discount is not available for regular travel to place of employment, duty or education. An accompanying child ticket may not be issued unless a discounted ticket is issued for the holder of the Railcard.

The HM Forces Railcard gives the holder access to discounted off-peak single fares and off-peak caps on National Rail, London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services within the London zonal area when using Oyster PAYG (Pay As You Go). You must ask for this entitlement to be added to your Oyster card manually. This can be done at any London Underground ticket office, amongst others. These are not subject to minimum fares, therefore you can touch in before 06.30 on a weekday and pay the discounted single fare, although this fare will count towards the undiscounted peak cap (which does not offer a Railcard discount), not the discounted off-peak cap. Once this has been added to your Oyster card, you must not give your Oyster card to anyone else to use.
 
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6.1.7 Network Railcard

A Network Railcard has no restrictions on who can purchase it, save that the person is over the age of 16. It costs £30 per year and provides a 34% discount on any ticket wholly within the Network Railcard area in Standard Class only.

Network Railcard-discounted tickets are available from 10.00 onwards on weekdays, with some exceptions, subject to a minimum fare of £13. There is no minimum fare at weekends or on public holidays.

London Travelcards have separate minimum fare arrangements. For details please see Section 5.9.5.
 
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6.1.9 Local Railcards

There is a variety of local Railcards offering residents discounts on travel in the local area.

In addition, some local authorities, such as Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council, offer those with local authority-issued concessionary bus passes a discount on rail services (in this case 50%).

In other cases, such as Hull, the local authority offer a standalone pass allowing free travel for the disabled on certain services.

A list of local Railcards is provided below:
 
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6.2 Group Travel

For ten or more passengers, many Train Companies have dedicated sales teams to sell tickets for your group, which tend to be cheaper than full-price individual tickets. If booking for a group of this size, it is advisable to obtain quote(s) from relevant Train Company(s) appropriate to the route. Sometimes it can be cheaper to use a collection of tickets discounted under other schemes, the details of which are provided in this section.

Group Day tickets are available for groups of ten or more passengers travelling together within the London zonal area in a number of different zonal combinations. For more details, please see here. Unfortunately Group Day tickets are not valid throughout the London zonal area on National Rail, for which an alternative scheme, such as GroupSave (using the cheapest outboundary Travelcard) might offer better value.

In addition, many Train Companies offer discounted fares on selected flows for groups of three or more passengers. (Northern Rail offer discounts for two passengers when travelling together on selected flows.)
 

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6.2.1 GroupSave

There are three distinct GroupSave schemes.

GroupSave Main Scheme

The more common one is used by the majority of participating Train Companies, as listed below:
  • c2c;
  • Chiltern Railways;
  • First Great Western;
  • Great Northern/Thameslink;
  • Greater Anglia;
  • London Midland;
  • London Overground;
  • Southeastern;
  • Southern;
  • South West Trains;

Between 3 and 9 adults can travel together on the majority of (Super) Off-Peak Singles, Returns and (outboundary) Travelcards for 1/3 off. Where Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns are not available, the corresponding Anytime Day Singles and Returns may be discounted. GroupSave tickets are not valid until 09.30 on weekdays (09.15 from Bedford). There is no time restriction at weekends and on public holidays.

A child under 16 may take the place of an adult, however there must be at least one adult in the group. Up to four additional children can accompany the main party and travel for a flat fare, single or return, with some Train Companies, eg. Southern (£2 flat fare). Furthermore, two children under the age of five can travel free of charge with each fare paying passenger. All passengers, including accompanying children, must travel together at all times. In the unlikely event that one passenger becomes absent, it is advisable for the remaining party to carry all the tickets with them when travelling (including the one for the absent passenger), as officially the tickets are only valid when presented as a complete set. In this scheme, each passenger will be issued with a separate ticket.

There are certain dates on which GroupSave is not valid. These dates are detailed on this page. GroupSave is not available in First Class, or on the Night Riviera sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance.

Please note that GroupSave is not available on journeys wholly within the n-Network area, ie. Zones 1-5 on this map. These fares are priced by West Midlands PTE. You can check the fare setter for your fare using brfares. A Super Off-Peak Group Day Return is available for travel solely within this area for a flat fare of £6, covering up to four people and valid after 18.30.

GroupSave East Midlands Trains

East Midlands Trains use a revised GroupSave scheme. Terms and conditions are similar to the other scheme in respect of the main adult group size and the discount offered, although only one ticket is required for the whole party and the ticket will be printed with the number of passengers as one. The ticket type should indicate the actual number of passengers covered by this ticket. Under this scheme, GroupSave is only offered on flows where a GR3, GR4 or GR5 fare exists, and an example of which is given here (GroupSave fare between Leicester and Nottingham for four adults). You can use brfares to check whether this is the case for your journey.

Up to four additional children aged 5-15 can travel with the main group for a £1 flat fare each.

GroupSave ScotRail

ScotRail use a similar GroupSave scheme to East Midlands Trains, in that only selected flows offer this discount - those with a GR3, GR4 and/or GR5 fare. There is no child flat fare offer. The routes where this offer is available are:
  • Glasgow - Edinburgh on all routes;
  • Dunblane - Glasgow or Edinburgh;
  • Stirling - Glasgow or Edinburgh;
  • Alloa - Glasgow or Edinburgh,
and intermediately.

ScotRail GroupSave fares are valid on all operators on permitted routes, except CrossCountry.
 

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6.3 Staff Discounts (including 'PRIV')

Except where otherwise specified, this section only provides information on standard domestic passenger services operated by franchised TOCs (e.g. not London Underground, sleeper trains, light rail systems, bus links, preserved railways or ferries).

Note: 'Safeguarded' staff are those who commenced service prior to 1 April 1996 and retain various conditions that date back to British Rail days. All staff employed after this date are referred to as 'non-safeguarded.'

Full information regarding validities and entitlements is available on the Rail Staff Travel Ltd website. See this website for the full definitions of terms used within this section, such as 'staff interavailable routes.'

6.3.1 Free travel for safeguarded staff

Staff entitled to a limited number of free journeys will have a number of date boxes on their Staff Travel Card. The date must be completed in ink prior to travel, and an unlimited number of journeys is permitted from 22.00 on the day before, until 00.00 on the following day (i.e. it allows travel for a 50 hour period). On London Underground, free travel is only permitted on the staff interavailable routes.
6.3.2 Privilege rate travel ("PRIV tickets")

Safeguarded and non-safeguarded staff with a Staff Travel Card, a TOC Privilege Card, or a PTAC (Privilege Ticket Authority Card) are entitled to purchase an Anytime or Anytime Day ticket for 25% of the public fare, commonly known as "PRIV" rate. If the ticket purchased entitles an ordinary customer to make a cross-London transfer by London Underground/DLR then this is still permitted, even if you are non-safeguarded.
Holders of the aforementioned cards may also purchase a restricted number of Rover and Ranger products, at a varying discount level. Certain advance-purchase products for berth and travel on sleeper services are available at 25% of the public rate.
6.3.3 Travel around London

Safeguarded staff can no longer obtain discounts off paper single tickets for use entirely on London Underground.
Safeguarded staff can load the discount to an Oyster card, on completion of the relevant forms, available from Rail Staff Travel or TfL Staff Travel (depending on employer). This entitles the holder to 'Pay As You Go' on London Underground, London Overground, DLR and National Rail services at 25% of the public rate at both peak and off-peak times, but not including caps.
Staff Travel Card and TOC Privilege Card holders are entitled to free travel on London Tramlink at any time, with no need to date a box.
6.3.4 Purchasing of PRIV rate tickets

Discounted PRIV rate tickets must be purchased from a staffed ticket office, if one is available, before boarding the train. If there is no booking office at the station of origin, then a Permit To Travel should be purchased (where available). If there is no staffed ticket office then the PRIV rate fare must be purchased at the earliest available opportunity (from on-train staff, at an interchange station if time permits, or at the destination).
PRIV rate tickets cannot be purchased from self-service ticket machines or online. Some people have reported success in purchasing such tickets through 'Telesales' lines provided by various TOCs.
6.3.5 Restrictions

When paying for travel, any restrictions which would apply to an undiscounted ticket also apply to the reduced-rate ticket.
Typically, those with staff entitlements are requested to refrain from using seats required by fare paying customers. Further restrictions apply, with some services barred to those using certain entitlements. Full details are listed on the Rail Staff Travel Ltd website.​
 
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6.4 Child Discounts

Conditions 6.4 to 6.6 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel relates to children’s travel on the railway.

NRCoT 5 said:
6.4 Children under five years of age may travel free of charge without a Ticket providing that they are travelling with a passenger holding a valid Ticket or other
authority to travel

6.5 Children aged between 5 years and 15 years must have a valid Ticket for travel
but are entitled to a “child” discount on most Tickets. If a discount is not
available, it will be made clear to you when you buy your Ticket.

6.6 Special arrangements apply for accompanied children aged under 11 in the
London pay as you go zonal fare area. For details please go to:
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/travelling-with-children
 
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calc7

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6.4.1 Normal Child Discounts

For National Rail services, on non-promotional walk-up and Advance fares in both First and Standard Class, children between 5 and 15 years of age travel for half the price of the equivalent adult rate.

Children who are aged 15 or less, but may look 16 or older, may wish to purchase ID such as a CitizenCard to prove their age, but there is no obligation to do so.

In the Transport for London area, children aged under 11 can travel free on Tube, DLR and London Overground services at any time as long as they are accompanied by an adult using a valid Visitor Oyster card or ticket. Those aged between 11 and 15 pay child fares on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overeground, National Rail and the Emirates Air Line. Children aged 11 to 15 years can get an 11-15 Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams and at the child pay as you go rate on Tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services.
 
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6.4.2 Family & Friends Railcard Child Discounts

The Family and Friends Railcard gives 60% off the usual child-rate fare on the following fare types (adults save 1/3):
• Standard Anytime and Anytime Day Singles and Returns
• Standard Off-Peak and Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
• Standard Super Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
• Standard Advance
• Gatwick Express, Stansted Express, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services
• London Underground Zone 1-6 Off-Peak Day Travelcard (subject to minimum fare of £5.30)
• Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to minimum fare of £15.00)
• Some ticket types offered by individual train companies. Please enquire locally for details
• PLUSBUS (see Section 7.1)
• Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink, Red Funnel Ferries and Stena Line (See Section 7.4)

At least one adult must be named on the card, and at least one child must be travelling. If only one child is travelling and they are aged less than 5, a discounted ticket for them must be purchased to validate the adult’s discount. All child fares are subject to a £1 minimum threshold.
 
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6.4.3 Promotional Child Fares

Train Operating Companies from time to time offer promotional child fares. Sometimes these are flat-rate fares, for instance unlimited travel for £1 on a weekend day.

Often, these offers can only be bought when accompanied by a valid adult fare – for instance East Coast have in the past run a website-only offer of a flat-rate £5 Advance on its services for children, but this could only be purchased when a £10 adult ticket was purchased for the same journey in the same transaction.
 
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6.5 Local Concessionary Discounts

In some areas, special discounts are available on local rail services for certain groups, such as students, the elderly and the disabled.

Details for Scotland, Wales, Greater London and the PTE areas are detailed below. Other benefits may apply elsewhere; please contact your local council for details.
 
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6.5.1 Local discounts: Greater London

Age 5-10
Where accompanied by an adult, or in possession of a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, children aged 5-10 travel free on buses, trams, Underground, Overground and a limited number of National Rail routes. See here for more information.

On most National Rail routes, or when not accompanied by an adult, the child fare is payable.

If child fares are required to be paid, the cheapest option is to purchase a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard from here. Alternatively, a Child Travelcard, or Child single fares, can be purchased.

Age 11-15
Children aged 11-15 are required to pay child fares on Underground, Overground and National Rail. The cheapest option is to purchase a 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard from here. Alternatively, a Child Travelcard, or Child single fares, can be purchased.

Age 16-18
Those aged 16, 17 or 18 can purchase a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard from here and load it with a child-rate period Travelcard. You can also 'Pay As You Go' at half of the adult rate on buses, trams, Underground, Overground and a limited number of National Rail routes. See here for more information.

Students aged 18 or over
Eligible students, studying at a participating institution, or undertaking a work placement in London may purchase an 18+ Oyster photocard and purchase a discounted period Travelcard or Bus & Tram pass. For more information, and to purchase, see here.

London residents aged 60 or over
Those aged 60 or over, living in London, but not eligible for a Freedom Pass or Veterans Oyster photocard (see below), can purchase a 60+ Oyster photocard from here. This entitles holders to free travel on buses, trams, Underground, Overground and most National Rail routes in Greater London.

Disabled or elderly London residents
Those with certain disabilities, or over a certain age, are eligible for a Freedom Pass. Holders must be resident in Greater London. This entitles holders to free travel on buses, trams, Underground, Overground and most National Rail routes in Greater London. For eligibility and to apply, see here.

Veterans
Certain veterans and their dependants, are eligible for a Veterans Oyster photocard. This entitles holders to free travel on buses, trams, Underground, Overground and most National Rail routes in Greater London. For eligibility and to apply, see here.
 

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6.5.2 Local discounts: Wales

The Welsh Government Concesionary Travel Scheme applies to certain routes in Wales. The Conwy Valley Line and Wrexham - Hawarden Bridge free travel schemes run from 1 October 2012 until September 30 2013, and the other two schemes only run between 1 October 2012 and 31 March 2013.

Conwy Valley Line

Anyone holding a Concessionary Travel Pass issed by Conwy or Gwynedd Councils are eligible for free rail travel on Conwy Valley trains between Blaenau Festiniog and Llandudno Junction. This covers all of the intermediate stations on the route and all services. Travel is also allowed on any ATW service between Llandudno junction and Llandudno.

Wrexham – Hawarden Bridge

This scheme is available to holders of a Concessionary Travel pass issued by either Flintshire or Wrexham Councils. The scheme permits free travel on all services* between Wrexham Central and Hawarden Bridge including all intermediate stations.

* Travel is not permitted on the 0731 departure from Bidston.

Cambrian Coast (Machynlleth – Pwllheli)

Unlimited travel is permitted between the stations listed below from 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013 for holders of the Gwynedd bus pass.

During school terms there will be some restriction of travel on some trains as follows:
06.10 Pwllheli – Machynlleth between Barmouth and Tywyn
07.34 Pwllheli – Machynlleth between Penrhynddeudraeth and Harlech.
12.56 Machynlleth – Pwllheli between Harlech and Penrhynddeudraeth
14.56 Machynlleth – Pwllheli between Tywyn and Barmouth

Heart of Wales

This scheme is available to holders of a Concessionary Travel Pass from the county of Powys and Carmarthenshire Councils. Holders of Swansea Local Authority issued passes boarding the Heart of Wales services at Pontardulais or any other station on the line of route are not entitled to free travel and are to be charged the correct fare for the journey being made. The scheme runs from 1 October 2012 until 31 March 2013.
 
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6.5.3 Local discounts: Scotland

The discounts in this section only apply to residents of Scotland and are "national" schemes (if Scotland can indeed be referred to as a "nation"). Other discounts, provided by individual local authorities, may be available.

Concessionary rail travel is the responsibility of local authorities in Scotland and many councils operate a scheme. The terms of the scheme vary but typically offer cut price off-peak travel within the local authority area, and sometimes to certain destinations outside the council area. Concessions are usually only available to residents of the local authority. Councils in the former SPT Rail area have inherited the former SPT concessionary scheme and may continue to extend coverage throughout the former SPT Rail area.

Concessions are generally available to holders of the Scottish National Entitlement Card (which also gives Scotland wide free bus travel), and are available to the over 60s and persons with disabilities and visual impairments. Carers or relatives of people with eligible disabilities may be entitled to some of the same concessions when travelling with an eligible card holders.

Concessionary schemes are subject to change and may be withdrawn. For up to date details of your local scheme contact your local council.

Age 16-18, or full-time volunteers aged under 26

Holders of a Young Scot Entitlement Card can obtain a free annual Scottish Youth Railcard from any staffed railway station in Scotland on presentation of a voucher provided with this card. This entitles holders to a 34% discount on most single/return tickets and a 50% discount on all season tickets throughout Scotland. Before 10am, except in July and August, a minimum fare applies. This is £8 for Anytime Single and Anytime Day Single, and £16 for Anytime Return and Anytime Day Return.

Visually impaired

The Scottish Goverment has reached an agreement with all of Scotland's Local Councils to offer a common Scotland Wide concession for eligible holders of a National Entitlement Card who have a visual impairment.

The visually impaired, who are in possession of an Entitlement card displaying the 'Eye' symbol are entitled to free National Rail travel on all routes throughout Scotland, and to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Carlisle. To apply, contact your local authority.
 

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6.5.4 Local discounts: Greater Manchester (TfGM)

Disabled persons

For residents of Greater Manchester who hold a national concessionary travel pass they can travel for free on rail and Metrolink services between 0930 and 0000 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays. Before 0930, travel pass holders can travel at half the current standard fare on rail and Metrolink services. If using a Metrolink ticket machine they are advised to purchase a 'child single' or 'child return'. After 0930 they will not need a ticket to travel. The travel pass is only valid for free or half-price travel for journeys which begin and end within the Greater Manchester rail boundary.

A Concession Plus pass is also available for some people (details can be found here) and this grants free travel at all times on rail and Metrolink services within Greater Manchester.

Senior Citizens

Since 6 April 2010 eligibility is determined by state pension age which means the earliest date on which you can get your Pass will depend on when you were born and, if you were born on or after 6 April 1950, this date will be later than your 60th birthday. For men the eligible age is the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day. Find out when you will be eligible using the Gov.uk website State Pension Age Calculator here.

For residents of Greater Manchester who hold a national concessionary travel pass they can travel for free on rail and Metrolink services between 0930 and 0000 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays. Before 0930 there is no discount available.

Under 16s

For children who are sixteen or under there are a few discounts available. Rail Ranger tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate and give unlimited 'off-peak' travel within Great Manchester for one day. Season tickets can also be bought for half the standard price and allow for travel anywhere within Greater Manchester. Finally when accompanied by an adult up to four children can travel for the 'accompanied train travel' fare. This is usuall lower than the child half fare.
 
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Max

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6.5.5 Local discounts: South Yorkshire (SYPTE)

Mod Note - The concessionary scheme for SYPTE has changed recently, and will be changing again in June. Please check the latest arrangements with the authority directly.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, branded publicly as Travel South Yorkshire, offer a number of extra discounts. This applies to both Travelmasters, season tickets for buses, trains and trams, and on individual fares.

Young people

16-19 Travelmaster (available until the day before 19th birthday) - £13.45 / Week, £47.25 / 28 days

19-21 Travelmaster (available until the day before 21st birthday) - £16.50 / Week, £56.30 / 28 days

College students (18 and over)

Term Travelmaster (available to students in selected South Yorkshire H.E. Colleges, upon presentation of a valid voucher) - £165.50 / term

Benefit Recipients

A special Weekly Off-Peak Travelmaster, priced at £16.50, is available for those on selected state benefits. It is only valid on trains after 0900 Mondays-Fridays. Otherwise it carries the same restrictions as a normal Travelmaster. See the Travel South Yorkshire website for more information.

The above tickets carry the same restrictions as the normal Travelmaster products, and are classed as PTE products for the purpose of NRCoC Condition 19. See the PTE Products: Seasons page for more information.

All of the above tickets require an SYPTE photocard, appropriate proofs of entitlement and are only available to purchase from Travel South Yorkshire Information Centres.


College and 6th Form Students (16-18)

Students aged between 16 and 18 and studying for more than 12 hours every week may be entitled to a 16-18 Student Pass. This entitles holders to a 50% discount on any journeys wholly within South Yorkshire on Northern Rail services.

Elderly - South Yorkshire Residents

Holders of elderly English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes issued in South Yorkshire receive free travel on any train wholly in South Yorkshire, and on Northern Rail services to West Yorkshire as far as the first alighting station. They are only valid after 0900 Monday-Friday and at any time on Weekends and Bank Holidays. In addition, eldery ENCTS passholders also receive free travel on Sheffield Supertram. The same time restriction applies.

Disabled - South Yorkshire Residents

Holders of disabled ENCTS passes issued in South Yorkshire receive the same benefits as detailed above. However, no time restrictions apply.

Elderly and Disabled - Non Residents

Holders of ENCTS passes issued outside South Yorkshire receive free travel on Sheffield Supertram after 0930 Monday-Friday and any time on weekends and bank holidays. No discounts are offered on train travel, with the exception of West Yorkshire Metro ENCTS passholders who receive a 34% discount on cross-boundary train fares.
 

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6.5.6 Local discounts: West Yorkshire (WY Metro)

Scholars Photocards

Scholar's Photocards (£2) are available for 16-18 year olds in full time education - they offer travel at the Child fare for journeys wholly within West Yorkshire.

Blind persons passes

For West Yorkshire residents Blind Person's Passes give entitlement to free rail travel within West Yorkshire at any time and Disabled Person's Passes give entitlement to the Concession fare (roughly half-fare travel) at or after 09:30 and at any time at weekends and on Bank Holidays (Concession Single / Return restrictions)

ENCTS

Holders of English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes issued by West Yorkshire Metro are entitled to a discount of 34% on journeys between West and South Yorkshire using Northern.

Holders of ENCTS passes issued by South Yorkshire are entitled to free travel between West and South Yorkshire using Northern after 09:00 Mondays - Fridays and at any time at weekends and on Bank Holidays.
 
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6.2.2 Small Group Discounts

Many TOCs offer discounts for small groups travelling together. Unless otherwise stated, any further discounts such as Railcard discounts do not apply and the group must travel together at all times. Some examples are listed below.

Chiltern Railway

Chiltern introduced the Small Group Discount after the revision of the GroupSave scheme, which meant that four adults travelling together faced a 1/3 increase in fare. With this offer, three or four adults can still travel for no more than the cost of two adult tickets. An additional four children aged 5-15 may travel with the main group for £1 each.

This offer is available on Off-Peak Return and Off-Peak Day Return fares to London, and Off-Peak Day Travelcard fares from stations served by Chiltern outside the London zonal area.

Normal time restrictions apply in line with the fare being discounted. In addition, this offer is not available before 0930 on Mondays to Fridays. Tickets with the Small Group Discount are only valid on London Midland and Chiltern services outside the London zonal area.

East Coast

East Coast offer discounts of around 25% to groups of 3-9 on East Coast Advances when (and only when) tickets are bought on the East Coast website. The "G" symbol next to "EC Advance" in the booking engine means that this discount is being applied. East Coast's web discount does not apply if the Small Group discount applies.

Northern Rail

Northern Rail offer Northern Duos (two Off-Peak tickets for the price of one and a half) on selected routes across its network. These tickets are available through all booking channels.

Arriva Trains Wales

If there are from three to nine of people travelling together, they can save money by buying a ‘Small Group Day’ ticket, which gives each person 25% off the full price ticket. All of the travellers get a ticket but they do need to travel together for during both outward and return journeys.

Small Group Day can be used after 09.30 Monday to Friday and anytime on weekends and Bank Holidays, and is available on journeys on the Arriva Trains Wales network where the fare is set by Arriva Trains Wales. Tickets are only available where there is a corresponding Off Peak Day or Anytime Day ticket on the journey being made. The product may be restricted on some days when there are sporting or other special events on the ATW Network.
 
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6.6 Miscellaneous discounts

6.6.1 Scholar Season Tickets

In certain areas, discounts on the purchase of season tickets are available for those attending local schools or colleges. Administration can be carried out direct with the TOC, or may be administered by a third party such as a Community Rail Partnership. The exact terms and conditions vary between areas, for example, some are only valid for educational purposes.

Known areas/providers for scholar season tickets:

6.6.2 Greater Anglia Football Season Tickets and Flexi-Tickets

Greater Anglia provides season tickets and 'Flexi-Tickets' (a carnet of 10) for members of, or match season ticket holders at; Ipswich Town (Ipswich), Norwich City (Norwich), Tottenham Hotspur (White Hart Lane/Northumberland Park) and West Ham (Stratford/Forest Gate) football clubs. These are valid for one season only and the origin must be on the Greater Anglia network. They are only valid for attendance at home games; between the nominated origin station and the applicable station for your team's football ground.

They can only be purchased online through Greater Anglia at http://www.greenrailtravel.co.uk/acatalog/Football_Seasons.html.
 

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6.5.7 Local discounts: Merseyside (Merseytravel)

Students

Students in full-time education, or work-based learning, can buy a 1-term multimodal or rail-only pass at a reduced rate. This is only valid on weekdays, during term time, between start of traffic and 20.00, and for educational purposes only. An application form is available from the Merseytravel website.

Disabled or elderly local residents

Those with certain disabilities, or over a certain age, are eligible for a Merseytravel Travel Pass. Holders must be resident in the City of Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral. This entitles holders to free travel on buses, ferries and all National Rail routes in the Merseytravel area. For eligibility and to apply, see the Merseytravel website (PDF).
 

ainsworth74

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6.5.8 Local discounts: Tyne & Wear (Nexus)

Young People

People who are aged 16-18 can purchase a MetroSaver Card which allows for travel on the whole Metro System, details can be found here. Holders of an Under 16 Pop Card can purchase a Child All-day Ticket for £1.10 which allows travel on all services all day. Holders of a U16 Pop Card can also purchase a single fare of 60p for rail travel between Newcastle and Sunderland, and Newcastle and MetroCentre/Blaydon valid at any time. For those that don't have a U16 Pop Card or live outside of Tyne & Wear there are a few other options. Firstly a commercial child transfare ticket can be bought and these allow travel two different types of transport (rail to Metro for example), the price varies depending upon operator as the fare is commercial and is only available to those who are under 14 years of age. Other options include the Junior Rover and Explorer North East Child.

Over sixties

Persons aged over sixty may be entitled to a Concessionary Travel Pass depending on their date of birth (see table here). This Travel Pass is not by itself valid for discounted travel on Northern Rail or Metro services however when combined with a Metro Gold Card passengers can travel for free on the Metro or Northern Rail between Sunderland and Newcastle after 0930 Monday to Friday (all day at Weekends and during July/August). At all other times a full adult fare must be bought. If a passenger is travelling to a hospital appointment then they may travel for free before 0930 if they show their appointment letter at the same time as their Metro Gold Card and Concessionary Travel Pass.

Disabled persons

If eligible for a Concessionary Travel Pass (see here for eligibility information) then such persons should also apply for a Metro Gold Card which allows for free travel on the Metro or Northern Rail between Sunderland and Newcastle after 0930 Monday to Friday (all day at Weekends and during July/August). At all other times a full adult fare must be bought.

Under 16s should buy a Under 16 Pop Card, a All Day Concessionary Travel Pass and a Metro Gold Card. On the Metro or on Northern Rail between Sunderland and Newcastle the Metro Gold Card should be used and on Northern Rail between Newcastle and MetroCentre/Blaydon the U16 Pop Card should be used.
 

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6.5.9 Local discounts: West Midlands (Network West Midlands/Centro)

Full-time students aged 16-18

Full-time students aged 16 or 17 who live in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton and whom are in full-time education can purchase a Network West Midlands 16-18 photocard. This entitles holders to purchase a child rate season ticket, or to pay child rate cash fares during school/college times. Application forms are available from schools/colleges in the area.

Other full-time students

Full-time students who are not eligible for the 16-18 photocard can purchase a 1-term multimodal pass for the Network West Midlands area at a reduced rate. An application form can be downloaded here.

Disabled or elderly local residents

Those with certain disabilities, or over a certain age, are eligible for a Centro Disabled Persons Pass or Older Persons Pass. Holders must be resident in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall or Wolverhampton. This entitles holders to free travel on buses, trams and all National Rail routes in the Network West Midlands area. For eligibility and to apply, see here for the disabled and here for the elderly.
 

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6.1.8 Gold Card

An annual season ticket acts as a Gold Card where the origin and/or the destination station is inside the Annual Gold Card area. Note that the area was recently extended, validity in certain new areas is determined by TOC.

The holder of a Gold Card enjoys a wide range of benefits. Section 5.4.7 contains a more detailed breakdown of these benefits.

An annual Travelcard season ticket issued on an Oyster card will also come with a Gold Card Record Card. If an annual Travelcard is issued on paper, you are also entitled to load your Gold Card onto an Oyster PAYG (Pay As You Go) card to benefit from discounted off-peak fares. Once this has been added to your Oyster card, you must not give your Oyster card to anyone else to use.

Section 5.10 offers a more detailed explanation of Travelcard season tickets.
 
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6.2.3 Family Travelcards

Selected Train Companies offer (outboundary) Family Travelcards for unlimited off-peak travel within the London zonal area. The maximum group size is 2 adults and 4 children. They can be particularly useful for people without a Family & Friends Railcard.

Section 5.9.4 contains a more detailed explanation.
 
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