• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Disabled Railcard - rules relating to companion's ticket

Status
Not open for further replies.

BRX

Established Member
Joined
20 Oct 2008
Messages
3,600
If two people are travelling together on a disabled railcard - the 'companion' to the railcard holder is also entitled to the discount.

However, I'm never quite clear whether both tickets have to be bought together or of the same type.

For example if the railcard holder has an open return from A to B, and the companion has an advance single from A to B, as long as they are travelling together can the companion still use the railcard discount?

More complicated versions of this would include the railcard holder having a ticket from A to C via B and the companion having a ticket from A to B. Can they travel together to B, and the railcard holder continue to C.

In other words, for a companion to benefit from the discount, is it simply that the railcard holder needs to be on the same train as them?

The T & Cs don't seem to say very much on this, just:

Only you and, where appropriate, the adult travelling with you, can use these tickets. The accompanying passenger for whom a discounted ticket is purchased must travel with the Railcard holder throughout the journey.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

JBuchananGB

Member
Joined
30 Jan 2017
Messages
970
Location
Southport
The important thing is that, if asked by an inspector, the railcard can be produced. Obviously the companion, without railcard, cannot travel alone, e.g. to complete a journey started with the railcard holder.
 

ASharpe

Member
Joined
4 Feb 2013
Messages
999
Location
West Yorkshire
Myself and the wife often travel together using her railcard with slightly different tickets and I've not had any problems either buying the tickets or using them.

In fact if you travel in London then the guidance is that the railcard holder can use a discounted oyster but a discounted travelcard must be bought for the companion.

I would however point out that if the companion's ticket is being checked at the station and the railcard holder is on the train then there could be issues.
 

jimbo99

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2010
Messages
132
I would however point out that if the companion's ticket is being checked at the station and the railcard holder is on the train then there could be issues.

Yep, what would be handy (but difficult to stop abuse) would be if the companion didn't always have to be with the disabled person. Eg my mother is disabled. I go with her to Paddington to Exeter where I meet my sister and she takes her on to Penzance for a holiday. My sister would be travelling up to Exeter without the railcard holder in the same way as I would be travelling back to London alone. Actually I feel my travel should be FOC in these circumstances - the only purpose of my trip is to escort a disabled person who would otherwise not be able to travel. I see this as a distinct situation from when two people have a day out on a railcard (disabled or otherwise) and are both benefiting from the journey. Incidentally, a number of attractions allow a carer to enter without charge.
 

Deafdoggie

Established Member
Joined
29 Sep 2016
Messages
3,035
Incidentally, a number of attractions allow a carer to enter without charge.

Most (all?) places that do free admission for the carer, charge the disabled guest full price. With the Disabled railcard, you both get a discount, so it is one thing against another. Also, places that offer a free carer, will generally provide no further help at all, as that is why they let the carer in for free, but railways will still provide assistance too.
 

jimbo99

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2010
Messages
132
It does vary. For example, the last trip she made was to the Wetlands Centre at Barnes where the carer was free and they provided her with an electric mobility scooter. But anyway, I take your point.

Personally I would prefer it if you didn't get a special price because you're disabled (I find it faintly patronising) but carers could travel free where necessary. In my mother's case, it's not just mobility (which staff can help with) but she needs regular care en route.
 

Deafdoggie

Established Member
Joined
29 Sep 2016
Messages
3,035
The problem is, there are just so many different disabilities, and unfortunately the railcard has to be "one size fits all" despite it, of course, not fitting all. I know it is a pain making a journey for no reason other than accompanying a disabled person. Equally some disabled people don't need a carer but do find the journey difficult so they get the discount. Or they need to make regular journeys for treatment etc, so a discount seems fair as they wouldn't be making the journey if they weren't disabled. But it comes back to "one size fits all" otherwise, the rules would be far too complex!
 

Llanigraham

Established Member
Joined
23 Mar 2013
Messages
6,074
Location
Powys
It does vary. For example, the last trip she made was to the Wetlands Centre at Barnes where the carer was free and they provided her with an electric mobility scooter. But anyway, I take your point.

Personally I would prefer it if you didn't get a special price because you're disabled (I find it faintly patronising) but carers could travel free where necessary. In my mother's case, it's not just mobility (which staff can help with) but she needs regular care en route.

As a Disabled card holder myself, I fail to understand why you think it patronising?
Amongst other things it is there to take into account the often reduced financial means of a disabled person. And not every disabled person requires a carer whilst travelling; I certainly don't most of the time.
Don't forget that not all disabilities are visible.
 

infobleep

Veteran Member
Joined
27 Feb 2011
Messages
12,556
The problem is, there are just so many different disabilities, and unfortunately the railcard has to be "one size fits all" despite it, of course, not fitting all. I know it is a pain making a journey for no reason other than accompanying a disabled person. Equally some disabled people don't need a carer but do find the journey difficult so they get the discount. Or they need to make regular journeys for treatment etc, so a discount seems fair as they wouldn't be making the journey if they weren't disabled. But it comes back to "one size fits all" otherwise, the rules would be far too complex!
I would be classed as disabled for the purposes of work and regularly travel for treatment and check ups, multiple times a year, every year, but I wouldn't be entitled to a disabled rail card because I'm not entitled to disability living allowance.

I can afford my travel so I'm not complaining.

The issue as I ses it, is that it's very difficult to cater for every scenario so they do the best they can, whilsr trying to help those who need it most
 

najaB

Veteran Member
Joined
28 Aug 2011
Messages
30,692
Location
Scotland
I wouldn't be entitled to a disabled rail card because I'm not entitled to disability living allowance.
I'm not sure that the criteria for the two are the same. I know someone who works full time and is in no way eligible for DLA but has a Disabled Railcard.
 

John @ home

Established Member
Joined
1 Mar 2008
Messages
5,148
I wouldn't be entitled to a disabled rail card because I'm not entitled to disability living allowance.
I'm not sure that the criteria for the two are the same.
The full list of eligibility for a Disabled Persons Railcard is:

You will qualify if you:
  • receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
  • receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at either:
    • the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
    • the higher or middle rate for the care component
  • have a visual impairment
  • have a hearing impairment
  • have epilepsy
  • receive Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
  • buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/
 

Llanigraham

Established Member
Joined
23 Mar 2013
Messages
6,074
Location
Powys
I would be classed as disabled for the purposes of work and regularly travel for treatment and check ups, multiple times a year, every year, but I wouldn't be entitled to a disabled rail card because I'm not entitled to disability living allowance.

I can afford my travel so I'm not complaining.

The issue as I ses it, is that it's very difficult to cater for every scenario so they do the best they can, whilsr trying to help those who need it most

That suggests that you have not checked the correct eligibility details for hoding the Card. (see post above)
I hold my card because I have a hearing loss, found during my Network Rail medicals, and held the card whilst I was still at work.
 

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
20,035
Location
No longer here
As a Disabled card holder myself, I fail to understand why you think it patronising?
Amongst other things it is there to take into account the often reduced financial means of a disabled person. And not every disabled person requires a carer whilst travelling; I certainly don't most of the time.
Don't forget that not all disabilities are visible.

Indeed.
The majority of Disabled Railcard holders are probably qualifying through the mobility component of PIP/DLA so are already recognised by the government as in some moderate financial need owing to their disability.
 

SussexMan

Member
Joined
23 Oct 2010
Messages
476
The criteria for the DPR in relation to hearing impairment always seems strange to me. Basically if you use a hearing aid you are entitled to a DPR - quite why I do not know. A significant proportion of older people use a hearing aid - far more now than there used to be - so I do wonder whether there are many people who would be better off buying a DPR rather than a Senior Persons Railcard.
 

ForTheLoveOf

Established Member
Joined
7 Oct 2017
Messages
6,416
The criteria for the DPR in relation to hearing impairment always seems strange to me. Basically if you use a hearing aid you are entitled to a DPR - quite why I do not know. A significant proportion of older people use a hearing aid - far more now than there used to be - so I do wonder whether there are many people who would be better off buying a DPR rather than a Senior Persons Railcard.
Indeed - and a DPR is £10 cheaper than a SPR, not to mention that it's got no time restrictions whatsoever and extends the discount to an accompanying passenger.
 

Llanigraham

Established Member
Joined
23 Mar 2013
Messages
6,074
Location
Powys
The criteria for the DPR in relation to hearing impairment always seems strange to me. Basically if you use a hearing aid you are entitled to a DPR - quite why I do not know. A significant proportion of older people use a hearing aid - far more now than there used to be - so I do wonder whether there are many people who would be better off buying a DPR rather than a Senior Persons Railcard.

The criteria is that it must be an NHS presecribed hearing aid, as you need to provide a copy of your NHS "Battery Book" when you apply. Many older people don't get their hearing aids that way, but through independent testing, and therefore may be excluded from the scheme.
As a "sufferer" myself I will say that even with an aid on it is not always possible to hear announcements, which is where the "helper" comes in.

And yes, if entitled, I suspect that many would be better off with a DPR than a Senior Persons Card.
 

higthomas

Member
Joined
27 Nov 2012
Messages
1,125
The full list of eligibility for a Disabled Persons Railcard is:

You will qualify if you:
  • receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
  • receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at either:
    • the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
    • the higher or middle rate for the care component
  • have a visual impairment
  • have a hearing impairment
  • have epilepsy
  • receive Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
  • buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/

Hmm, I'd always thought there was a line about it also being anyone who wasn't eligible for a driving licence on medical grounds. It seems that's only bus passes.
That seems a bit unfair, with a quick Google leaving at least one group who miss out because of this!

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/board...betics-refused-driving-licence-by-dvla.72179/
 

trevmonk

Member
Joined
4 Jan 2011
Messages
173
The criteria is that it must be an NHS presecribed hearing aid, as you need to provide a copy of your NHS "Battery Book" when you apply.
No, it can be NHS or privately prescribed. The rules say you need to produce "A copy of the front page of your NHS battery book or a copy of your dispensing prescription from a private hearing aid supplier"
 

Llanigraham

Established Member
Joined
23 Mar 2013
Messages
6,074
Location
Powys
No, it can be NHS or privately prescribed. The rules say you need to produce "A copy of the front page of your NHS battery book or a copy of your dispensing prescription from a private hearing aid supplier"

My apologies for the incorrect info.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top