Will there still be a place for railcards given low ridership since Coronavirus and the lack of revenue (ignoring the Government propping the TOC's up)? Will all railcards continue? Will there be another one made such as the recent 26-30?
Will there still be a place for railcards given low ridership since Coronavirus and the lack of revenue (ignoring the Government propping the TOC's up)? Will all railcards continue? Will there be another one made such as the recent 26-30?
There’s even a new railcard on the way - the Veterans Railcard.
Yes, thanks.Got a source?
@Haywain counts as a source for things like this as far as I'm concerned!Got a source?
@Haywain counts as a source for things like this as far as I'm concerned!
There is also a thread here:
New Railcard for Veterans...............
Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place, but Grant Shapps (Sec of State for Transport) has today announced that former servicemen/women will be able to buy a 'Veterans Railcard' from November 2020. The new railcard for veterans will be available to buy from 11 November and will cost £21...www.railforums.co.uk
That's great. Is your Veteran's railcard physical or on your phone?
I don't have one, I don't think it's even available yet lol.That's great. Is your Veteran's railcard physical or on your phone?
Haha! I don't know if I'm being really dumb or not. Is it photoshopped then?I don't have one, I don't think it's even available yet lol.
Nah, I just bought it anyway because I thought it would be cool!Haha! I don't know if I'm being really dumb or not. Is it photoshopped then?
Nah, I just bought it anyway because I thought it would be cool!
Definitely a real ticket, have it right next to me.
Can we have a "I don't qualify for a railcard" railcard?
The real need at the moment is to grow business and commuting travel. There doesn’t seem to be the same level of difficulty with leisure travel.That’s actually a really good point,with the need to increase the demand for leisure travel maybe there should be a National “leisure railcard” -along the same lines as the Network Railcard.
Has there been any recent analysis (pre and post COVID-19) of railway revenue sources (business/commuting, leisure, other)?The real need at the moment is to grow business and commuting travel. There doesn’t seem to be the same level of difficulty with leisure travel.
Perhaps a universal railcard, based and priced on the premise that anyone who considers they make sufficient use of the rail network would wish to purchase one in order to save overall, according to their expected pattern of travel over the life of the Railcard, would be a fairer approach?
I'm not sure whether I'll travel is that affected by price - there are plenty of other factors affecting whether I'll choose to travel at all before you get to the mode.The only way to get people back travelling longer term is to lower all fares.
Railcards are for people to travel multiple times, people need to be encouraged back to use the railway again the first time after lockdown.
That’s actually a really good point,with the need to increase the demand for leisure travel maybe there should be a National “leisure railcard” -along the same lines as the Network Railcard.
The amount of rail cards on the market is reflective of the complexities of the ticketing system itself. It is mad when you see all the options.
I would just simplify it and offer something along the lines of:
- A concessionary railcard (so includes seniors, veterans, disabled, 18-25, etc) all under one umbrella, with the same discount of 33%. Most seem to be the same price and discount anyway.
- A regular user railcard, similar to get German system would be great (25% for £200 a year, 50% for £400 a year, with big discounts available to annual season ticket holders). You could also offer a special price on two of these for people who travel together to replace the Two Together (which is a great initiative).
Price and discount may be the same, but times of use vary significantly. In general terms, disabled get discounts 24/7, 18-25 get them for longer journeys in the morning peak while seniors can't use them in the morning peak.A concessionary railcard (so includes seniors, veterans, disabled, 18-25, etc) all under one umbrella, with the same discount of 33%. Most seem to be the same price and discount anyway.
What I would be interested to know if how Germany afford the Bahncard 100. How much subsidy does their railway get against GB (pre-Covid)? Also is commuting from towns 60 miles away not as common there?The amount of rail cards on the market is reflective of the complexities of the ticketing system itself. It is mad when you see all the options.
I would just simplify it and offer something along the lines of:
- A concessionary railcard (so includes seniors, veterans, disabled, 18-25, etc) all under one umbrella, with the same discount of 33%. Most seem to be the same price and discount anyway.
- A regular user railcard, similar to get German system would be great (25% for £200 a year, 50% for £400 a year, with big discounts available to annual season ticket holders). You could also offer a special price on two of these for people who travel together to replace the Two Together (which is a great initiative).