Using a Senior Railcard

One of the rules for using a Senior Railcard is that if any type of ticket bought has both origin and destination inside the Network Railcard area, then that ticket cannot be used on a MondayFriday until such time as the Off-Peak Day Return comes in.

So from Bournemouth, for example, no ticket to Weymouth can have a Senior Railcard discount until 0848, as that’s the first train on which an OP Day Return is valid. Yet if the journey is to London, it’s 0759.

If the journey is to Dawlish or Rugby, then as these are outside the Network Railcard area, there is no railcard restriction whatever. The only restriction is on the actual ticket type held.

As a result, there can be some dramatic differences in price. For example, Bournemouth to Northampton does not receive a Senior discount until 0810. A day trip before then would cost £117 via Kensington Olympia or £163.40 via London.

On the 0810, however, you could have both an OP Day Return and the railcard discount - a mere £43.95 via Kensington or £60.55 via London.

However, if you went from Bournemouth to Rugby you could have an OP Return (Saver) on any train provided you don’t leave Euston before 0927. And because Rugby is outside the Network Railcard area, you could also have the Senior Discount at any time, so you’d pay only £57.10.

So, before 0810 Rugby costs £57.10 but Northampton £163.40! Needless to say you buy to Rugby, use a London Midland train and alight short to save £106. Crazy? Of course - but that’s our archaic fares system, seemingly enshrined forever.

Now, I’ve been told that cases are arising whereby staff on some trains that run over routes where the Gold Card area has been extended are saying that it is this new expanded area that applies. So, for example, some staff say Senior Railcard tickets from London to Ipswich are restricted because the Gold Card area has been extended to Sheringham.

In a recent case, a reader was excessed by a Chiltern Revenue Protection Officer for having a valid Senior Railcard ticket to Leamington Spa, because Chiltern’s Gold Card area extends to Kidderminster. In both cases the operators have apologised and refunded.

Let me make it clear: the extended Gold Card area of validity is irrelevant. The rule about the use of Senior Railcards in the morning peak applies only to journeys wholly within the Network Railcard area, as has always been the case.