Disabled Railcard: Boosting Accessibility in Great Britain’s Rail Systems

Introduction

The rail industry is expanding the eligibility criteria for the Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC) and simplifying the application process, offering a third off rail travel for the cardholder and one accompanying adult across Britain.

Main Content

Expanded Eligibility

The rail industry has announced an expansion of the eligibility criteria for the Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC) and a simplification of its application process, marking a major step in making Britain’s rail network more accessible and customer-focused. The DPRC offers a third off rail travel for the cardholder and one accompanying adult, and the changes aim to recognise both visible and non-visible disabilities more effectively.

Stakeholder Collaboration

The reforms follow a review conducted by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), the Department for Transport (DfT) and The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). The review concluded that the Railcard’s eligibility should better reflect modern understanding of disability and address real travel barriers. Research showed strong public support for these reforms, with 79% of current DPRC holders and 73% of non-holders supporting the inclusion of non-visible disabilities.

Implementation Stages

The changes will be implemented in two stages. Phase 1, starting 1 March 2026, will broaden eligibility for customers who can demonstrate their need through existing documentation such as Blue Badge holders. Phase 2, beginning in September 2026, will expand eligibility further to include conditions requiring clinical or professional evidence. This will cover some long-term or degenerative conditions as well as neurodiversity where it substantially affects a person’s ability to travel by train. Full guidance on evidentiary requirements and applications will be published ahead of each phase to provide clear information for customers and frontline staff.

Customer-Centric Approach

The reforms are part of a wider commitment to centre services around customers and remove barriers preventing travel with confidence. By aligning DPRC evidence with documentation already used in other transport schemes and providing clearer guidance for complex cases, the industry aims to make the application process simpler and more user-friendly.

Affordability and Accessibility

Many people face real and varied barriers to travel and widening eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard is a step forward in making rail travel a genuine option for more people, listening to how we can help mitigate the additional cost of living with a disability and ensuring our services are shaped around customers’ needs.

Railcard Details

The Railcard costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years, and can be purchased online or by post. It offers unlimited travel with no minimum spend and can save the holder an average amount annually. The card is intended to support those whose conditions significantly impact their ability to travel by train, ensuring travel is more affordable and inclusive across Great Britain.

Conclusion

The rail industry is expanding eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard, starting 1 March 2026, to include non-visible disabilities, offering a third off rail travel for the cardholder and one accompanying adult. The changes, implemented in two stages, aim to make Britain’s rail network more accessible and customer-focused, with the Railcard costing £20 for one year or £54 for three years.

Company Summary

Rail Delivery Group (RDG): The Rail Delivery Group is an organization involved in the review and implementation of changes to the Disabled Persons Railcard.

Department for Transport (DfT): The Department for Transport participated in the review of the Disabled Persons Railcard.

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC): The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee was involved in the review of the Disabled Persons Railcard.

Great British Railways: Great British Railways is mentioned in the context of the Accessibility Roadmap, which lays the foundations for a longer-term transformation.