AS Railcard

[Tom B]

I'm not sure what exactly is meant by "neds" but I would add that it has enabled me to become a bit less of an "outcast" in society. It's like a ticket to freedom that an Aspie would not usually otherwise have, which they would have with ease minus AS.

I mean the normal slang definition of the term - i.e. non educated delinquent!

I suppose there is a wider question of "what are the passes supposed to achieve". If it comes down to giving people transport that otherwise they wouldn't be able to pay for, why only for disabled people? Why not give free travel to anybody with an income of under £N per year, or under a scheme similar to the NHS HC1?

In my home town I don't go into town very often because the bus costs an absolute fortune (thanks, Maggie and Moir) - should I be given a pass to encourage me to be "less of an outcast"?

 

[mindfeeder]

The funny thing is, whenever I mention I have AS people always ask "Do you like trainspotting?" which is of course, the truth!

Anyway I know someone with severe Autism who has a disabled railcard. I think you would qualify for one as it's Autistic Spectrum and all that.

 

[Daniel]

I'm not sure what exactly is meant by "neds" but I would add that it has enabled me to become a bit less of an "outcast" in society. It's like a ticket to freedom that an Aspie would not usually otherwise have, which they would have with ease minus AS.

I honestly don't see how.

If I had a disabled persons r/card, I'd argue it would mean I would fit less into society, as I would become more isolated into doing just one thing.

And I don't see how a bus pass is a ticket to freedom for someone with aspergers syndrome. It doesn't help you socialise.

 

[Ivo]

What I mean is that many with AS would quite happily sit in their rooms all day to avoid social situations. But the bus pass encourages - if that is the right word - you to get out there and travel around a bit, giving you the chance to meet other people. The very first time I did this I went to Ipswich for the day (five hours from Southend... urgh...) - and when I got back I met a friend I hadn't seen for nearly seven years. Would this have happened without said pass? No. (It also meant that I could pay my respects to Sir Bobby Robson at Portman Road stadium.)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The funny thing is, whenever I mention I have AS people always ask "Do you like trainspotting?" which is of course, the truth!

Anyway I know someone with severe Autism who has a disabled railcard. I think you would qualify for one as it's Autistic Spectrum and all that.

Of course it's the truth! It's the AS classic!

You really think that we would qualify anyway? Because there is technically no physical challenge in boarding the train (which is an unfair deficit in the Railcard, i.e. you must have a physical disability or your chances are slim... So, what, should you hack off a foot, or something? :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Here are the guidelines (may have been posted already)...

http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/buying-your-railcard#AmIeligible

 

[dhutch]

For a moment I was surprised to find 6 people with AS in one place, but then I remembered this was an online message board about trains.

Funny isnt it. (also had mild case of as)

But i personally agree.
- While as affects my every day life to a greater or lesser extent, like depression would. Im not overly sure why either would or should entitle you to reduced train fairs.

However, moving on from that, why should any disability entitle you to reduced train fair.
- Say your chair bound, why should you have a reduced fair? More than likely you taking up more time/space/staff and while i wouldnt think it fair to charge you more as its not sure fault as such. I equally dont see why it should be less.


Daniel

 

[Daniel]

What I mean is that many with AS would quite happily sit in their rooms all day to avoid social situations. But the bus pass encourages - if that is the right word - you to get out there and travel around a bit, giving you the chance to meet other people. The very first time I did this I went to Ipswich for the day (five hours from Southend... urgh...) - and when I got back I met a friend I hadn't seen for nearly seven years. Would this have happened without said pass? No. (It also meant that I could pay my respects to Sir Bobby Robson at Portman Road stadium.)

But my point was that a travel pass doesn't mean your going to socialise more. I have a staff pass which gives free travel in London only. I don't go out and socialise with new people, if i'm using it for something other than work, I go to a shop or something. I don't stand in the middle of Covent Garden and have the sudden ability to go up to everyone and say hi and introduce myself because I got there for free.
Even when I pay for train tickets, (vice having a pass as you suggest), I wouldn't travel to Glasgow to go and socialise with some Scots. Even as you say, when you got back you saw a friend you hadn't seen for years - it was when you were back home, (where you would have met the person without a pass), and you hadn't socialised with anyone new - it was someone who you'd known previously.

 

[Multiple Unit]

Most trainspotters would end up with an Aspergers Syndrome railcard!!!!

Maybe just call it the Rail Enthusiasts Railcard?!

(Sorry to be flippant!)

You have a point there as the Railway should give something back to those who folow it and travel on it prehapos someone ought to write to DfT and get petion going.

But the only issue may be is how you canprove you are a Rail Enthusiast but there aginn how many people would whnat to Class them selfs as a Train Spotter as they say just to get Discounted Rail Fare for 12moths at the one off price of £20.00.

As don't forget that we Enthusiasts aka Train Spotters have a genral stero type Immage most offten Refered to as Being like Norman from the Twix advert thogh I don't mean for anyone to be offended but I offten get told that I look like Billy Bradshore "I want a Budgie" in the voice of Him self.

 

[ukrob]

You have a point there as the Railway should give something back to those who folow it and travel on it prehapos someone ought to write to DfT and get petion going.

But the only issue may be is how you canprove you are a Rail Enthusiast but there aginn how many people would whnat to Class them selfs as a Train Spotter as they say just to get Discounted Rail Fare for 12moths at the one off price of £20.00.

Why?.............

 

[Lee_Again]

Please remember that these railcards are funded by the rest of us 'full' fare passengers. Why is it that some people think they have a right to free/cheap travel, that I have to pay for, just because they have a 'syndrome'?

People with genuine disabilities are already entitled, quite rightly, to generous discounts. You could even make a case for free travel for certain cases.

Those with 'syndromes' should live with a real disability for a day and then maybe they'll see what some people have to live with.

 

[tbtc]

You have a point there as the Railway should give something back to those who folow it and travel on it prehapos someone ought to write to DfT and get petion going

Trouble is that an element don't pay anything/ much, and are a "nuisance" to some staff (I've seen my share of "enthusiasts" hiding in the toilets, tresspassing to get a better picture, obstructing passengers etc.

Not accusing anyone on this forum of that, you're all a great bunch, but there are definately some who are more trouble than they are worth, sadly

 

[Multiple Unit]

Please remember that these railcards are funded by the rest of us 'full' fare passengers. Why is it that some people think they have a right to free/cheap travel, that I have to pay for, just because they have a 'syndrome'?

People with genuine disabilities are already entitled, quite rightly, to generous discounts. You could even make a case for free travel for certain cases.

Those with 'syndromes' should live with a real disability for a day and then maybe they'll see what some people have to live with.

Right you are I have a walking Disability & a Hearing Disability Iam eligable and have a Disabled Rail Card but not entiled to a Pas form Merseytravel but yet the Rail card pays for it self before the end of the year nor am I enlitled to any Disabilty Beinift but there are people out there who can wlak better than me and claiming all sorts and all I get is Working Person Tax Credit.

 

[route:oxford]

Would it not be better to have a true "National Railcard" that anyone could buy?

I have a "Network Railcard" which more than pays for itself after a couple of trips, but it doesn't* work outwith the former Network South East area. A railcard that works throughout the UK or even just within the constituent countries/principality would be fantastic.

*It is sometimes possible to blag the "Network Railcard" as a "Network Rail Card" outwith the south-east and claim a fairly hefty discount. Grippers have spotted the error, but have never charged me the excess...

 

[Dolive22]

This could get very ugly very fast if we get into who is worse off. I will therefore say my piece, which I hope will not be too provocative, and hope that the rest of us with non-visible disabilities can take me as having spoken for all of us.

Those who have disabilities which are not visible have struggled with this sort of prejudice for centuries. People with what we would now call PTSD were even shot in WW1. You just can't tell that much about someone from looking at them. Even someone with spinal injuries that paralyse them from the waist down (which I think most people would agree is a 'real' disability) might have no outward signs sitting in a chair or in bed.

Those full fare (well YP Railcard) paying passengers include me, and personally I didn't actually say people with AS should get discount travel.

I personally have been very careful not to get special treatment because of my disability, except the help I actually need because of my disability.

New post below:
I believe the idea of a National Railcard was floated at one point. I think the suggestions was £20 a year and a very hefty discount.

And as one of the fare paying passengers who has to pay for your fraud, DON'T COMMIT FRAUD.

 

[aspierail]

Everyone on the autism spectrum is individually different some have less problems some have more and some people i know don't even claim disability living allowance (DLA) so to apply for a disabled railcard you need to be on middle or higher rate on personal care and low or high rate for mobillity(DLA) for more information visit the disabled railcard website.

Here is the link


http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/buying-your-railcard

 

[route:oxford]

I believe the idea of a National Railcard was floated at one point. I think the suggestions was £20 a year and a very hefty discount.

And as one of the fare paying passengers who has to pay for your fraud, DON'T COMMIT FRAUD.

I tell the ticket staff that I have a Network Railcard and show them my genuine paid for Network Railcard that is valid and in date.

The ticket staff then press the button for a Network Rail Card and a discount is applied.

A bit unfortunate that the two cards can be so readily confused,
more taking advantage of a misunderstanding than a fraud.

It's a bit like saying to the airhead shop sales assistant. "Are you sure that £9.90 off that a £99 item is correct? That doesn't sound like a 10% discount." And watch them put ithrough a further 10%...

With the right training, it wouldn't happen.

 

[Lee_Again]

This could get very ugly very fast if we get into who is worse off. I will therefore say my piece, which I hope will not be too provocative, and hope that the rest of us with non-visible disabilities can take me as having spoken for all of us.

While 'ugly' comments are unwelcome people are free to voice/write their opinions. "Speaking for us all" is rather arrogant. I doubt many people would allow you to exercise their right no matter how articulate you may be without first offering it to you.

Disabled Railcards are specifically aimed at those who have genuine difficulties using other forms of private transport; for example driving. 'syndromes' do not meet that criteria. Please remember that everything the government gives away in the forms of discounts is paid for by the rest of us. I would rather my taxes went to help those with genuine needs than those who 'freeload' of the rest of us.

I should add that I would be happy for my taxes to help treat anybody with a 'syndrome'. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to live with something like that; and even more so when it's not readily visible to all. Nevertheless, I'm not paying towards their train fares too.

 

[Dolive22]

When I said that I 'hope that the rest of us with non-visible disabilities can take me as having spoken for all of us.' I just meant that I hoped that one person saying it would prevent everyone else repeating it. If anyone wants to post anything, they can. I just hope that the thread doesn't degenerate in to a row about who has it worst.

Some syndromes do affect driving. The best example I can find at the moment is Anterior Cord Syndrome.

I do not freeload. I am very careful not to get special treatment because of my condition except the particular help I need because of my condition. And I didn't say we should get Disabled Persons Railcards. My particular reason for being against AS qualifying is because people with AS can drive and there is little incentive effect to do anthing that needs to be encouraged from giving the discount.

I am glad you are happy to pay to treat us. I only wish my PCT was as kind.

Routexford, you know it is dishonest. I would be only too happy to discuss the legal position on this at length, but not here. If you put this up in a new thread I will be an active and enthusiastic contributor. Here I will just say that you amost cerainly fall in to one of the relevant offences. It is just like some one misunderstanding that you work for a company and using that to buy a heavily discounted lunch in the works canteen.

 

[Lee_Again]

*It is sometimes possible to blag the "Network Railcard" as a "Network Rail Card" outwith the south-east and claim a fairly hefty discount. Grippers have spotted the error, but have never charged me the excess...

Yep, theft. And guess who's paying for it??

I doubt you even care that you're stealing. And those, like Dolive21, can't get vital funding from their PCT because the government is busy paying for your fraud instead. You should be ashamed.

 

[thefab444]

I tell the ticket staff that I have a Network Railcard and show them my genuine paid for Network Railcard that is valid and in date.

The ticket staff then press the button for a Network Rail Card and a discount is applied.

How is that even possible; it should display an error of "Railcard not valid for journey" or similar?

 

[Dolive22]

thefab444, they are issueing a ticket with a privilege discount in the belief that his Network Railcard is a card issued by Network Rail authorising privilege discounts.

 

[Helvellyn]

[Devil's Advocate hat]
DDA and other things mean that travel is becoming more and more possible for passengers who previously could not use the train unaided. I believe this was one of the reasons for the Disabled persons railcard, because it allowed people to travel with someone to assist them without being overly penalised for it. You see many disabled people travelling on their own now who in the past could not of.

So is there an argument to phase out the Disabled Persons railcard because of this? When the Government keeps pushing its equality agenda is it right certain groups are more equal than others?
[/Devil's Advocate hat]

(Not a personal view - throwing it out for discussion)

 

[asylumxl]

(Before anyone jumps down my throat, I am Bipolar)

Perhaps if they gave depressed folks discounts on their train tickets, they'd be more inclined to sit in them rather than jump infront.

 

[90019]

Perhaps if they gave depressed folks discounts on their train tickets, they'd be more inclined to sit in them rather than jump infront.

The joys of tasteless humour.

 

[Ivo]

Sorry to revive a dead topic, but I thought that it would be beneficial to many if I reveal that the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is set to be revised in 2013. The DSM, whilst American, is the world "authority" on mental illnesses... in a book. Anyway, here is the introduction from www.dsm5.org (the official site):

Publication of the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May 2013 will mark one the most anticipated events in the mental health field. As part of the development process, the preliminary draft revisions to the current diagnostic criteria for psychiatric diagnoses are now available for public review and comment.

The reason I post this, let alone in this dead thread?

Revision: Asperger Syndrome

Any comments, whether relating to the rest of the topic (i.e. the Disabled Persons' Railcard) or otherwise?

 

[wintonian]

A bit late to go through it properly, but it does seem to narrow the definition of ASD somewhat and I’m not even sure if on proposed definition whether I would still count as being AS, mind you I do find it difficult to see/ understand that I do have some AS symptoms/ traits and have spent most of my life convinced that I was misdiagnosed.

 

[thefab444]

thefab444, they are issueing a ticket with a privilege discount in the belief that his Network Railcard is a card issued by Network Rail authorising privilege discounts.

Yes, but I don't see how the staff can "press the button for Network Rail Card" when such a thing doesn't exist. If issuing Priv tickets, surely staff would actually check the person purchasing actually has a Priv, given the extreme discount?