Last Updated: August 13, 2026
From March 1st 2026, the Disabled Persons Railcard eligibility criteria will be extended to include a broader range of visible and non-visible disabilities. This hopefully will enable more disabled people to save on their rail travel.
The Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years and entitles the named card holder to a third off of rail fares and a third off the rail fare of one accompanying adult aged above 16 years. On average people save £126 a year by using a railcard. There are also partner discounts on days out, hotels and restaurants.
The change to the eligibility criteria will extend to those who:
- Have a blue badge.
- Receive a Disabled Persons Buss Pass in England, Scotland or Wales
- Receive a London Disabled Persons Freedom Pass.
- Are currently unable to drive on medical grounds.
- Receive Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) benefits.
- Receive Industrial Injuries Benefit for 20% degree of disablement or higher.
- Are without speech.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, said, ‘Widening the eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard is an important step forward in helping more people access rail and travel with confidence. Working closely with government the industry is committed to building a railway that reflects the needs of the communities we serve today and in the future, ensuring our network is inclusive, welcoming and supportive for every passenger.’
The expansion to the Disabled Persons Railcard eligibility criteria was first announced in November 2025 as part of the Government’s Accessible Railways Roadmap which outlined the actions being taken to improve accessibility across the rail network ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).
Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said, ‘This expansion of the Disabled Persons Railcard marks an important milestone on our journey to a more inclusive railway, making everyday journeys more affordable for thousands more people. Whether it’s commuting to work, accessing education or visiting loved ones, everyone should be able to travel with confidence.
‘We are putting accessibility at the heart of our railways through the Accessible Railways Roadmap, which lays the foundations for a longer-term transformation under Great British Railways.’
From September 2026, the eligibility will be extended again to remove further barriers for people who face significant challenges when travelling by train. This will include conditions requiring clinical or professional evidence, such as some long-term or degenerative medical conditions and forms of neurodiversity that have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train. More information about the eligibility criteria will be published nearer the time.
Visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk for more information.
In other news, national palliative and end of life care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder and Heidi, an AI-powered medical scribe, have partnered to bring AI to hospice care.
