16-17 Railcard - validity extension for 18 year olds

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Eighteen-year-olds will be able to buy half price train tickets for most services when railcard rules are changed later this month, the Department for Transport (DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) has announced.

It's an extension of the 16-17 Saver railcard which currently expires when the holder turns 18. From 17 August, they will be valid for a full year from the date of purchase.

It means 17-year-olds will be able to buy the railcard up until the day before they turn 18, making it valid until the day before they turn 19.

The existing rule meant more than 70,000 students each year were an average of £175 worse off than those in the same academic year who hadn't yet had their 18th birthday, the DfT said.

The 16-17 Saver Railcard costs £35 per year and entitles the holder to 50% off most train fares.

Rail minister Lord Hendy claimed this "common sense change" is "exactly what passengers should expect from the railway".

[RailCornwall]

Makes sense considering the numbers over 18 in full time education.

[Ralph Ayres]

Is Peter Hendy really saying that what passengers should expect from the railway is to do something badly, with obvious faults that are pointed out at the time, and only several years later do it how it should have been done in the first place? It's still a bit of a muddle, thanks to the overlap in name and eligibility with the 16-25 Railcard and only partial acceptance in Scotland.

[ChrisB]

Only 33% off with 16-25 though - so not really an overlap