UK: The eligibility criteria for the Disabled Persons Railcard are to be expanded so that both visible and non-visible disabilities are better recognised, and the application process is also to be simplified. The Rail Delivery Group describes the chnages as a major step forward in making the rail network more accessible and customer-focused.
DPRC offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, and unlike other Railcards it has no time or minimum spend restrictions.
The changes announced on November 17 follow a review undertaken by RDG, the Department for Transport and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee which concluded that eligibility criteria should better reflect modern understanding of disability and the real travel barriers people face.
Phase 1 will come into effect from March 1 2026, expanding eligibility to a broader range of customers who can demonstrate their need through existing documentation. Examples include Blue Badge holders, Disabled Persons Bus Pass holders, some Armed Forces and Industrial Injuries benefits recipients, people unable to drive on medical grounds and people without speech.
Phase 2 will go live in September 2026 and will further extend eligibility to conditions that require professional health evidence and more detailed assessment, including 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 evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.
