Demand outstrips supply as 26-30 Railcard launches

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) launched its long-awaited trial of the 26-30 Railcard on March 13… with its servers crashing as eager ‘millennials’ rushed to snap up one of the 10,000 examples on offer.

The nationwide rollout follows a similar scheme that ran in East Anglia last year. RDG hopes the railcard, which (like the 16-25 railcard) offers a third off the price of off-peak and advance fares, will encourage more people to travel by train.

However, demand for the railcard far outstripped supply, with many passengers expressing their irritation on social media.

A firm commitment has not been made at this stage to fully roll out the card, with an RDG spokesman telling RAIL: “Research being gathered as part of the 26-30 Railcard trial is being used to inform discussions with the Government about a national rollout, and to develop new products that make leisure travel easier and better value for customers.”

Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said: “The trial of the 26-30 Railcard is welcome news for hard-pressed passengers and will help take some of the sting out of rising rail fares. With less than half of passengers satisfied with the value for money of their journey, and even fewer young people satisfied, this will help make travelling by rail that little bit more affordable for young people.”

Quick to spot a marketing opportunity, Virgin Trains launched its own offering - the ‘Avocard’. From March 13-20, customers aged between 26 and 30 travelling with the operator on the West Coast Main Line could present an avocado when buying tickets, to receive the same discount as the more conventional railcard.