RAILCARD REVOLUTION: Disabled passengers give vote of confidence for Britain's railways

• New figures show record numbers of disabled passengers held discounted railcards on Britain's railways over Spring 2026.
• Over 450,000 Disabled Persons Railcards were held between April and August 2026, up 25% on the same period last year, and the highest number since records began in 2012.
• Major vote of confidence from disabled passengers in Britain’s railways, as railcard usage has more than doubled compared with 2016-17, driven by wider criteria for those applying, and keeping the cost of a disabled persons railcard at £20 a year.
• Demand for support boarding or departing trains also at an all-time high, with nearly 750,000 passenger assistance requests made over the summer – 21% up on 2025.
• Comes as railcard is expanded to include passengers with non-visible disabilities, helping more people travel with confidence from the start of this month.
• New trains will also make getting on and off easier, as Great British Railways makes level boarding a baseline requirement for all new trains. 

Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said:

“Disabled passengers are taking more journeys by rail than ever before – a major vote of confidence in accessible travel, partly thanks to us making the Disabled Persons Railcard available to a wider range of disabled people. 

“We’re also keeping the cost at just £20, and making level boarding standard on new trains as we move towards public ownership – ushering in a new era of more accessible, affordable and inclusive rail travel.”