Railcards - can we use them?

Goldwing1

My family has railcards (Senior and student). At the start of Lockdown we clearly couldn't use them. As lockdown eased we still haven't used them although other people probably have and the advice was don't travel by train if you can avoid it. At some point I was expecting new of a validity extension or partial refund.
Today I have received an e-mail from Railcard advertising deals!

So, does anyone know what the situation is?

prowla

Why couldn't you use them?

Emmia

They're not doing extensions either - on the basis that you can recoup the entire cost of the railcard (and more) on a single journey

yorkie2

There was nothing stopping you using them; the advice at the time was to "consider" walking, cycling or driving above public transport. That advice no longer applies (I strongly disagreed with it, but that's another story)

I don't understand what the question is now; you can use any Railcard that has not yet expired.

spenderdave

There was for a while a suggestion that trains were for essential workers etc but nothing to actually stop you using them. That has now been removed, I have been using the train and my senior railcard quite a lot in recent weeks. At the moment train usage is pretty low, I would imagine they would welcome your patronage...

Nebulous2

spenderdave said:

There was for a while a suggestion that trains were for essential workers etc but nothing to actually stop you using them. That has now been removed, I have been using the train and my senior railcard quite a lot in recent weeks. At the moment train usage is pretty low, I would imagine they would welcome your patronage...

It was more than a suggestion. Essential travel only.  In early April we flew into Heathrow and took a train North from Kings Cross. The police came through the train checking reasons for travelling. The guy next to us had to show his work ID and someone further up the carriage was removed. 

spenderdave

Obviously policed differently in different areas. I made an 'essential' journey in April - to the hospital - whole carriage to myself and deserted platform each end. It was also a bit weird passing through Ascot during Ascot week and seeing the station still totally deserted. I have been using my card since June with no questions asked.

yorkie2

spenderdave said:

There was for a while a suggestion that trains were for essential workers etc but nothing to actually stop you using them. That has now been removed, I have been using the train and my senior railcard quite a lot in recent weeks. At the moment train usage is pretty low, I would imagine they would welcome your patronage...

It was never illegal to travel by train if you were not an "essential worker"; this was misleading information peddled by some train companies.

It was only illegal to travel for a reason that was not listed as a legal reason (when freedom of movement restrictions were in force)

Nebulous2 said:

spenderdave said:

There was for a while a suggestion that trains were for essential workers etc but nothing to actually stop you using them. That has now been removed, I have been using the train and my senior railcard quite a lot in recent weeks. At the moment train usage is pretty low, I would imagine they would welcome your patronage...

It was more than a suggestion. Essential travel only.  In early April we flew into Heathrow and took a train North from Kings Cross. The police came through the train checking reasons for travelling. The guy next to us had to show his work ID and someone further up the carriage was removed. 

In early April, travel was allowed under the law for a limited range of reasons; the reasons did include for exercise, shopping, to assist a vulnerable person and to go to work. This was relaxed in May to include travel to a public open space alone or with one other person for mental or physical well being, and was further relaxed shortly after to include any reason other than to stay overnight (except where required for work purposes); in early July the overnight stay restrictions were removed, allowing travel for any reason.

The term "essential travel" was a bit of a misnomer.

Goldwing1

prowla said:

Why couldn't you use them?

We were told by the Government not to travel.

Teressa_Broddle

Hello, today I have renewed my Disabled Persons Railcard. However, upon completion there is a link at the bottom stating to claim back £16.87 from your £20.00 costs of the railcard. Upon opening the link in a new tab I found that bank details were needed, upon further investigation you have to register with a company called 'Complete Savings' they charge £15.00 per month to give savings upon other deals that bear no relevance. In short, £20 per annum for your railcard, £180 per annum for nothing. It is a total scam, I contacted railcard.co.uk and the Manager's are aware of this 3rd party link and the costs to public transport users. I beg of you please do not be taken in by this company it will cost you a serious amount of money.
1: Cost of card £20 per annum
2: Cost of 'Complete Savings' £180 per annum. It needs flagging up to someone in authority as a potential Safeguarding threat.