The number of people who qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC) is being extended, and the application process has been simplified, as part of a drive to make Britain’s rail network more accessible and customer-focused.
Holders of a DPRC and one accompanying adult benefit from a one-third reduction in the cost of train tickets. The eligibility is now being extended to include both visible and non-visible disabilities.
The extension in eligibility comes after a review by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT), and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).
They found that the criteria should be more in line with today’s understanding of disability and the barriers faced by people with disability when travelling by train.
Research by the Rail Delivery Group showed that 79% of DPRC holders and 73% of non-holders thought people with non-visible disabilities should be eligible for the railcards.
The changes will be implemented in two stages, starting from 1st March 2026. In Phase 1, eligibility will be extended to customers with existing documentation that demonstrates their need, such as Blue Badge holders.
Phase 2, starting in September 2026, will be extended to include conditions that are supported by clinical or professional evidence, including some long-term or degenerative medical conditions. It will also include neurodiversity that affects a person’s ability to travel by train.
The changes are part of the rail industry’s commitment to putting customers at the centre of decision-making and to removing barriers that prevent people from travelling with confidence. The purpose of the changes is to simplify the application process and make it more customer-friendly.
This will be achieved by bringing the evidence required to prove eligibility for a DPRC in line with that already used by other transport schemes, and by having clearer guidance for cases requiring more complex assessments.
Disabled Persons Railcards cost £20 for one year or £54 for three years, and have no time or minimum spend restrictions. On average, holders save £126 in annual rail travel costs.
The DPRC is just one incentive to encourage people to travel by train. West Midlands Railway has a ‘Festive Fiver’ ticket offering £5 return tickets between any two stations within a zonal boundary, and the rail industry provided free travel for military personnel and veterans to attend Remembrance Day commemorations.
“We want to give everyone the tools to use our railway with ease and confidence, which is why we re expanding eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard. This will make taking the train more affordable for more disabled passengers, saving up to a third on rail travel, with new changes making it easier to apply for the card too. We know there is more work to do to make our railways truly accessible, which is why we published our Accessibility Roadmap, which lays the foundations for a longer-term transformation under Great British Railways.”
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy
Responses
It is only in London you cannot get a discount in the rush hour, any where else in the country you get the discount from the very first train M – F, again how many will travel in the rush hour to London, it is about time it should stop
This appears to be more complexity on an already complex Railcard system. Given “keeping it simple” is normally a good way to proceed.. hasn’t the time come to scrap all these different types of railcard and just replace with 1? That is anyone and everyone can, if they wish, buy a Railcard to give 1/3 off of the published fare.