| UK Rail Industry to Expand Eligibility for Disabled Persons Railcard Posted by ChrisB at 11:40, 26th January 2026 |     |
From Railway-News
The UK rail industry has announced both the expansion of the eligibility criteria and the simplification of the application process for the Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC).
The card, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, will have its eligibility expanded across two phases in 2026 to better recognise and support both visible and non-visible disabilities.
Changes to the system have been made following a recent review of the DPRC undertaken by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT) and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which deemed the Railcard’s current eligibility criteria insufficient when reflecting the modern understanding of disability.
The two phases have been designed to bring benefits where evidence requirements are straightforward, as well as introduce robust assessment for more complex cases later in the year.
Phase 1 is set to begin from 01 March 2026, and will expand eligibility to a broader range of customers who are able to demonstrate their need for the card through any existing documentation (i.e. Blue Badge holders).
Phase 2, which will begin in September 2026, will extend eligibility further to include conditions requiring either clinical or professional evidence, including long-term or degenerative medical conditions, as well as neurodiversity where it may have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.
Full details of evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.
The card, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, will have its eligibility expanded across two phases in 2026 to better recognise and support both visible and non-visible disabilities.
Changes to the system have been made following a recent review of the DPRC undertaken by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT) and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which deemed the Railcard’s current eligibility criteria insufficient when reflecting the modern understanding of disability.
The two phases have been designed to bring benefits where evidence requirements are straightforward, as well as introduce robust assessment for more complex cases later in the year.
Phase 1 is set to begin from 01 March 2026, and will expand eligibility to a broader range of customers who are able to demonstrate their need for the card through any existing documentation (i.e. Blue Badge holders).
Phase 2, which will begin in September 2026, will extend eligibility further to include conditions requiring either clinical or professional evidence, including long-term or degenerative medical conditions, as well as neurodiversity where it may have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.
Full details of evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.
