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The train fare discount being offered to Railcard users is being cut by operators this month.<\/p>\n
Savings are advertised as being one-third and are currently applied at a rate of 34% for Railcards held by people including those aged 16-30 and over 60. <\/p>\n
The discount will be trimmed to 33.4% from the middle of September as the rail operators looks to boost income from fares.<\/p>\n
While the move will add only small amounts to individual ticket prices, a pro-rail group has described it as a “step in the wrong direction”. <\/p>\n
The cut will take effect from 15 September, the PA news agency understands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
An off-peak return from London to Manchester, which costs \u00a3109 at full price, is available for \u00a372.55 on Sunday 15 September for railcard users.<\/p>\n
The same ticket on Saturday 14 September is reduced to \u00a371.90.<\/p>\n
Other railcards affected include those for families travelling with children, people with a disability and military veterans.<\/p>\n
Other examples of anytime return fare increases for railcard holders include from \u00a3194.15 to \u00a3195.90 for Cardiff to London, and from \u00a372.60 to \u00a373.25 for Birmingham to Manchester.<\/p>\n
A section on railcard discounts on the National Rail Enquiries website was updated in June to remove references to 34%.<\/p>\n
Bruce Williamson, of lobby group Railfuture, said: “While this represents a very tiny increase in fares for some passengers, it’s a step in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n
“As the slogan goes, every little helps, so why risk irritating passengers for a few pence?”<\/p>\n
Michael Solomon Williams, of pressure group Campaign for Better Transport, called for the introduction of a northern network railcard to make the system “fairer” by giving passengers in the north of England “the same discount offered to many of their southern counterparts by regional railcards”.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Railcard, the organisation which manages the discount cards on behalf of train operators, said: “The cost of a Railcard hasn’t increased for over 10 years and will continue to provide customers with a third off their rail fare for just \u00a330 a year – a cost that can be made back in just one or two journeys.”<\/p>\n
The rail industry is striving to boost fares income, which remains lower than pre-coronavirus levels.<\/p>\n
Office of Rail and Road figures show revenue from passengers was \u00a310.3bn in the year to the end of March, compared with \u00a312.7bn 2019-20.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n