National Railcard For All Petition

MUNRO700

Hi Apologies firstly if this is posted in the wrong place. I have started up a petition for a national railcard for all not just for select groups of people or areas as there isn't one active at the moment and I know the demand for 1 will be huge. The difference now being if I can get 100000 people to sign it it needs to be considered for debate in Parliament.

Apologies it won't let me post the full link address

direct.gov.uk/petitions/54001

under National Railcard for all

Many thanks in advance for your support

Tom Munro

Kite2010

So something like the Network Railcard for the whole country instead of the south east?

Mids_Costcutter

Good initiative, I think a national railcard would be great and help offset poor value for money fares. Research shows that off-peak rail travel would increase with additional income for the train operating companies. So why does it have to be subsidised?

See:

http://www.railfuture.org.uk/National+Rail+Card

Herbalus

Is it me, or would a railcard that everyone can have be the same as lower fares?

Kernel_Sanders

Herbalus wrote: »

Is it me, or would a railcard that everyone can have be the same as lower fares?

No, because the taxpayer would have to make up the lost card subscriptions less the increased revenue.

wealdroam

Herbalus wrote: »

Is it me, or would a railcard that everyone can have be the same as lower fares?

That would only be the case if the proposed railcard was free.

But as the rail companies have not introduced a railcard for everyone, they have probably decided that it might not make them any more money.

MUNRO700

Hi everyone thanks for your views so far. To answer a few questions yes it would be like a network railcard but for individuals only as opposed to getting discounts for other adults too but on a national scale. It would need to be subsidized by sponsorship or some other means as the potential loss estimated by the rail companies is what has put them off ever introducing a railcard even for a short trial period.

opinions4u

MUNRO700 wrote: »

It would need to be subsidized by sponsorship or some other means as the potential loss estimated by the rail companies is what has put them off ever introducing a railcard

Well, you've convinced me!

Wishy, or washy?

jacques_chirac

MUNRO700 wrote: »

Hi everyone thanks for your views so far. To answer a few questions yes it would be like a network railcard but for individuals only as opposed to getting discounts for other adults too but on a national scale. It would need to be subsidized by sponsorship or some other means as the potential loss estimated by the rail companies is what has put them off ever introducing a railcard even for a short trial period.

What incentive would you suggest for companies to sponsor the scheme? Surely you are not suggesting our trains are plastered in advertising

Mids_Costcutter

Herbalus wrote: »

Is it me, or would a railcard that everyone can have be the same as lower fares?

No because as the OP says it would be for off-peak travel only as the Network Railcard (London and South East only). The cost of the railcard itself and increased number of rail journeys by the users would ensure an increase in income for the train operating companies.

opinions4u

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

The cost of the railcard itself and increased number of rail journeys by the users would ensure an increase in income for the train operating companies.

But their pricing models will already seek to optimise income.

If cheaper fares would increase income they'd cut them.