Scramble for ‘millennial’ railcards

The new “millennial” railcard promised by Philip Hammond in the last Budget may never fully launch, as a trial started today is expected to cause a Glastonbury-style online scramble for tickets.

Despite 4.5 million 26 to 30-year-olds being eligible for the railcards, which entitle them to a third off tickets, rail companies have agreed to sell just 10,000 as part of an initial “national trial”. They go on sale this morning on a first-come first served basis.

Last night a spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group refused to confirm that the railcards would fully launch following the trial.