Disabled Persons Railcard Eligibility is Expanding

The rail industry has extended the Disabled Persons Railcard eligibility to help more people access discounted rail travel.

From today (September 30) customers with a long-term impairment, health condition or neurodivergence that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months and significantly affects their ability to use rail services will be able to apply for the Disabled Persons Railcard.

Eligibility under the expansion will be based on the impact a person's condition has on their ability to travel by rail rather than a diagnosis alone.

These changes are designed to better support disabled customers who may face barriers to rail travel and form part of a broader effort to create a more inclusive railway, putting customers at the centre of decision-making and helping more people travel with confidence. 

To apply for the Disabled Persons Railcard applicants will need to provide either: 

• a report or letter from a health professional explaining how their condition affects their ability to use rail services; or 

• a completed impact declaration form signed by a suitably qualified and regulated health or social care professional. 

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For some conditions where the impact can vary significantly between individuals, confirmation of diagnosis on its own may not be sufficient.

Applications requiring professional evidence will be independently assessed to determine whether the applicant experiences significant disability-related barriers to rail travel. 

The changes follow a review of the Disabled Persons Railcard carried out by Rail Delivery Group, Department for Transport and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which focused on understanding the barriers disabled customers face when travelling by rail and how these could be addressed. 

“Rail connects people to jobs, education, family and communities and we want those connections to be accessible to as many people as possible,” said Dan Mann, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Rail Delivery Group.

“Expanding eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard will help more disabled people who face additional barriers when travelling by train access more affordable journeys. It is another step towards putting accessibility at the heart of the railway as we move towards Great British Railways.” 

Customers can find out more about the Disabled Persons Railcard, including the full eligibility criteria and how to apply, at www.railcard.co.uk/disabled-persons-railcard/eligibility/