Reduced-rate fares for disabled passengers

21 August 2014

Disabled Persons Railcard

Certain types of disability entitle you to a Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC). See if you qualify; full details are available on the DPRC website, by phone from any of the train operators’ assistance helplines or pick up a leaflet at the station.

The Railcard offers you up to 34% reduction (50% off to a child holder) and 34% to an adult making the same journey with you, on all general ticket types in either first or standard class. DPRCs must be applied for by post or online. They cannot be bought at stations.

 

Passenger

 

Ticket types available

 

Reduction
Visually-impaired passenger if accompanied. Both passengers qualify for the reduction

or

  

Anytime Single or Return

 

 

Anytime Day Return

34%

50%
Wheelchair user in own chair, accompanied or alone. If accompanied, both passengers qualify for the reduction.

* Undercuts the Railcard-based 34% reduction.

These reductions are allowed only on Anytime Singles or Returns and Anytime Day Returns and only if:

  • You are visually impaired and accompanied. Documentary evidence of your disability must be shown at the ticket office. No reduction applies if you travel alone.
  • You use your own wheelchair and remain in it throughout the journey may benefit from the same reduction alone, or with a companion, who also receives the same reduction.

These fares predate the DPRC and today’s fare structure. They cannot be bought from ticket machines. If a ticket machine is the only retailing means at the station, passengers may pay the fare during the journey without penalty.

It may be cheaper to buy full-price Off-peak Returns or Advance tickets than to use these reductions on Anytime fares. Check your options at the ticket office, with National Rail (08457 484950; www.nationalrail.co.uk) or with the company concerned before you buy.

Season tickets for visually-impaired passengers

A visually-impaired adult or child who cannot travel alone can apply for an adult season ticket which is endorsed to allow two people to travel for the price of one. You must provide documentary evidence of your entitlement.

The ticket carries the photocard details of the visually-impaired person; the companion needs no other authority to make the same journey. Any companion can travel on any day but the two passengers must travel together.