Rail industry expands eligibility for Disabled Persons Railcard
- National Pensioners Convention
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
NPC welcomes news that the rail industry is to expand the eligibility criteria for obtaining the Disabled Persons Railcard from 2026. (DPRC).
The sector will also simplify the application process for a DPRC, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult.
The changes follow a review of the DPRC undertaken by Rail Delivery Group (RDG), the Department for Transport DfT), and The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). It concluded that the Railcard’s eligibility criteria should better reflect modern understanding of disability and the real travel barriers people face.
Tony Conway, Chair of the NPC Transport Working Party said: “The move is generally a step forward in the industry’s commitment to making the UK rail network more accessible and customer focused. Of course, the devil is always in the detail, so we will be examining the changes carefully before we give a final verdict.”
Research conducted by the Rail Delivery Group indicated strong public support for the changes, with 79% of DPRC holders and 73% of non-holders in favour of including non-visible disabilities in the eligibility criteria.
The new eligibility criteria for the Railcard will expand in two phases so that both visible and non-visible disabilities are better recognised and supported. They are designed to bring benefit where the evidence requirements are straightforward and introduce assessment for more complex cases later in the year. This is to ensure the process remains fair and reliable while being more inclusive.
Phase 1 will come into effect from 1 March 2026, expanding eligibility to a broader range of customers who can demonstrate their need through existing documentation, for example Blue Badge holders.
Phase 2 will be introduced from September 2026 and will extend eligibility further to cover conditions that require clinical or professional evidence. These will include some long-term or degenerative medical conditions, and neurodiversity where it has a substantial impact on a person's ability to travel by train. Full details of the evidence required and guidance on making an application will be published ahead of each phase to ensure customers and frontline staff are fully informed.
The Rail Delivery Group say these reforms are part of a wider commitment to putting customers at the centre of decision-making and to remove barriers that prevent people from travelling with confidence.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Rail connects people to jobs, education and community and we are determined to make those connections easier to access for everyone. 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.”
The DPRC Railcard, is available to purchase online from railcard.co.uk or by post. Check with your local rail provider for costs and any time restrictions.
ENDS
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