Disabled Persons Railcard

Origins

British Rail (BR) introduced the Disabled Persons Railcard in 1981 to mark the International Year of Disabled Persons. Sir Peter Parker was Chairman of BR at the time and the British Railways Board included Tom Libby and wheelchair user Bill Buchanan, who was "Special Adviser on the Disabled".

Tom Libby and Bill Buchanan together with Sir Bert Massie (RADAR) were tasked to design and develop the Disabled Persons Railcard.

The Railcard initially cost £5. Its price increased to £14 in the 1990s and then in 2006 to £18. A three-year Railcard was also introduced in September 2006 at £48.

The price increased again in January 2011, to its current cost of £20 for a year. The three year railcard was increased the same year, costing £54 (£18 per year). As of January 2023, these prices are still in effect.

Qualifying disabilities

Applicants must submit evidence to show that their disability makes them eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard.

A passenger is eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard if they

• receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP) at either:
  • the higher or lower rate for the mobility component
  • the higher or middle rate for the care component
• have a visual impairment
• have a hearing impairment
• have epilepsy
• receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
• receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
• buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme

Disabled people and trains

Historically, the design of most British trains did not enable wheelchair users to travel in the main passenger area. Passenger doors were too narrow and the fixed seating layout did not give wheelchair users space to manoeuvre. When wheelchair users could travel by rail, it was in the guard's van.

The introduction of High Speed Trains and sliding door carriages in the 1970s and 1980s, did much to improve access for disabled passengers, especially with wider doors and priority seating giving people more leg room.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 introduced design standards for the future design and construction of public transport vehicles. So, in November 1998 the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations were introduced. These had a significant impact on the design of new trains and refurbishment of existing ones. Rail Vehicle Regulations also formed the basis of the TSI-PRM, a European standard for heavy rail vehicles accessibility.

Issuing

In 2008, issuing arrangements moved to Scottish contact centre operator, Journeycall, based in Brechin and Laurencekirk. This move also saw the introduction of automated ticket issuing systems and increased call centre opening hours (available between 07.00 and 22.00 every day except Christmas Day). In 2014, Journeycall moved from its Brechin and Laurencekirk offices to a new contact centre at Arbroath.

Railcard holders are issued renewal reminders

Marketing

Management and marketing of the Railcard is led by the Disability & Inclusion and National Railcards teams at Rail Delivery Group in London.