Has there been any news on whether Railcards’ validity might be extended in light of the near impossibility of using them at present?
Apologies if I have missed it elsewhere.
I don't think Seasons (which can be refunded) are comparable with Railcards (which can't be)
I agree it would be a very pragmatic solution to offer a 50 per cent discount on renewals.
I don't think Seasons (which can be refunded) are comparable with Railcards (which can't be)
I agree it would be a very pragmatic solution to offer a 50 per cent discount on renewals.
I renewed my Disabled railcard for three years in early March - effective 30th March! Bad timing but not a big deal in the circumstances
And much better than an extension, as an extension is worthless to any age-bounded Railcard holder who wishes to hold one for the maximum time (unless the extension comes in whole years). I have not forgiven that from last time. Blustering that you're offering me something then not doing is worse than not offering it at all.
It's not about being fair.
It's about kick starting leisure travel and revenue again.
I don't interpret island's question as a criticism or a suggestion that this is a serious issue.
My initial thought on reading it was that offering everyone a 50% renewal discount would be an excellent solution. It would also bring in lot of Railcard revenue all in one go, when it is needed the most. It would be a useful marketing tool to promote the railway after the crisis. Whether or not people who have lost their entitlement between now and then, for any reason, are allowed a 12 month extension period on a further railcard though is another question.
Or even just some extention, whether a whole year or not. I renewed mine just before I hit the point of no longer being entitled to purchase the (age restricted) railcard. Really I have just hedged my bets a bit in the hope that I can use it later in the year - as long as I can, I would expect to get some value out of it, if not as much as I may have otherwise, but an extention or similar would certainly be welcome (and may encourage rail use that I may have otherwise not taken)
As I've pointed out, an extension of anything other than a full year is a whack in the proverbials for a loyal 16-25 or 26-30 user who wishes to hold a Railcard for the full period they are entitled to do so. Therefore I'd be more in support of offering a discount on purchase for the next 12 months, £20 instead of £30 (they're still £30, right?) is what I'd do.
As I've pointed out, an extension of anything other than a full year is a whack in the proverbials for a loyal 16-25 or 26-30 user who wishes to hold a Railcard for the full period they are entitled to do so. Therefore I'd be more in support of offering a discount on purchase for the next 12 months, £20 instead of £30 (they're still £30, right?) is what I'd do.
Which is fine, but I am one of those "loyal users" who will not be eligible for another, so a discounted year will only work if they extend the eligibility restrictions too
I bet that only affects a minority of such Railcard holders anyway...who are probably going to travel by train regardless anyway. Not much of a risk, far outweighed by the revenue kickstart it would bring.
This is literally never a safe assumption. Most people in this country don't travel by train. Few people who have realistic choices opt for a train over the alternative, whether it is driving themselves in a car or flying. Of course, some people do, because they particularly want to, or because there's no reasonable alternative. But that doesn't cone around often.who are probably going to travel by train regardless anyway
Quite possibly. Personally, I'm not overly concerned. Some offer one way or another would be appreciated, but isn't expected
This is literally never a safe assumption. Most people in this country don't travel by train. Few people who have realistic choices opt for a train over the alternative, whether it is driving themselves in a car or flying. Of course, some people do, because they particularly want to, or because there's no reasonable alternative. But that doesn't cone around often.
Some people will still be using railcards for essential journeys of course. But your suggestion makes sense.My view is that it's highly unlikely that the validity of railcards will be extended. What could happen, if the rail industry were that way inclined (based on post Hatfield events in 2000, iirc) is that railcards purchased for a 12 month period after the lockdown is lifted are valid for 15 months rather than 12.
No it doesn't.The Railway needs to extent existing railcards or offer something like 18 months for the price of 12 or similar after the lockdown for renewals. National Express is extending customers coach cards https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/offers/coachcards
No it doesn't.
NX have suspended all services for at least 2 months, so the situation isn't comparable.The Railway needs to extent existing railcards or offer something like 18 months for the price of 12 or similar after the lockdown for renewals. National Express is extending customers coach cards https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/offers/coachcards
Sorry guys but there’s a railcard thread here before we head off down that route:So should be a good opportunity for a shop window offer to the 90% or so of non-regular users, not the 10% that already do (of of which "hardcore" Railcard holders will be a tiny fraction).