Grab a (cheaper) ticket to ride

FOLLOWING a successful pilot scheme that began in East Anglia last December and was extended nationwide in March, the rail companies have announced they are introducing a Rail Card for the 26 to 30 age group.

A rail card, which costs £30 a year, giving passengers a third off their rail journeys, was already available for young people aged 16 to 25 and for senior citizens but the decision has been taken that the new card will be digital-only.

It will be available to buy at www.26-30railcard.co.uk and once downloaded to their smartphone customers will be able to start travelling at the reduced rate straightaway and not have to wait for a card to be delivered.

There are already more than four million Railcard customers who save between them almost £600 million a year on rail travel.

They are able to explore more of our great country in an ultra-convenient and cost-effective way.

There are over four million young people in the 26 to 30 age group who could potentially benefit from cheaper fares and I do hope many of them take advantage of this new card.

The new Railcard is one of a number of measures the rail industry is rolling out to improve the travel experience for customers as part of its joint plan to change and improve.

Last month, the rail industry announced that a new app to help disabled people will be used across the country next year and over the summer we carried out the first national consultation for easier fares.

Next month, the rail ombudsman will launch an improved complaints handling procedure for customers.

I hope this new card encourages more young people to use the trains and relieve the pressure on our busy roads.

As I am sure you are all aware, this year is 100 years since the end of the First World War and commemorations to all of the brave men and women who served and died in that conflict have sprung up everywhere.

In South Derbyshire, I have driven past the wonderful display in Willington, where the village has succeeded in converting the area around the railway station into a colourful sea of poppies.

People have been invited to plant a poppy in remembrance of someone they know who died and the WI has been busy with their knitting needles and has erected a huge display of its knitted creations.

It is important we never forget the sacrifice those who died made and a talking point like the Willington poppies brings it into sharp focus to the younger generation.

Yesterday, Remembrance Sunday, I was proud to lay my poppy wreaths in Melbourne and Swadlincote and help light a beacon in Melbourne.

There are over four million young people in the 26 to 30 age group who could potentially benefit from cheaper fares, and I do hope many take advantage of this card

■■The views and opinions of guest columnists do not necessarily represent those of either the Burton Mail or its staff

Heather Wheeler MP