To: Association of Train Operating Companies
No minimum fare for 16-25 Railcard
We, signed below, hereby request the validity times of the 16-25 (Young Person’s) Railcard without incurring minimum fare to be extended.
The minimum fare of £12 applies before 10am on weekdays through most of the year. The Railcard was intended to help young people with the costs of their travel. During past few years the mentioned time was being regularly increased together with the Railcard’s price. Many of us use trains to commute to our educational institution’s campus. Most courses, however, start well before 10am. In these circumstances, majority of the 16-25 Railcard holders will not benefit from it at all.
As students we already incur a lot of debt and with fares rising every year and being unable to use discount, many of us will be unable to attend education courses anymore. It already is very hard for us to make ends meet.
In other European countries students receive statutory discounts for rail travel of even 51% and they do not need to pay any minimum fares at all. Therefore we are asking to modify the terms and conditions of the 16-25 Railcard in the way so they allow us using the card without incurring the minimum fare during school days.
The minimum fare of £12 applies before 10am on weekdays through most of the year. The Railcard was intended to help young people with the costs of their travel. During past few years the mentioned time was being regularly increased together with the Railcard’s price. Many of us use trains to commute to our educational institution’s campus. Most courses, however, start well before 10am. In these circumstances, majority of the 16-25 Railcard holders will not benefit from it at all.
As students we already incur a lot of debt and with fares rising every year and being unable to use discount, many of us will be unable to attend education courses anymore. It already is very hard for us to make ends meet.
In other European countries students receive statutory discounts for rail travel of even 51% and they do not need to pay any minimum fares at all. Therefore we are asking to modify the terms and conditions of the 16-25 Railcard in the way so they allow us using the card without incurring the minimum fare during school days.
Why is this important?
16-25 Railcard holders get 1/3 off most rail fares, however there is a minimum fare of £12 during weekdays. We want to change it!