The UK rail industry has announced both the expansion of the eligibility criteria and the simplification of the application process for the Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC).

The card, which offers a third off rail travel for cardholders and one accompanying adult, will have its eligibility expanded across two phases in 2026 to better recognise and support both visible and non-visible disabilities.

Eligibility criteria for the railcard is set to be expanded to reflect modern views on disability

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Changes to the system have been made following a recent review of the DPRC undertaken by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Department for Transport (DfT) and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which deemed the Railcard’s current eligibility criteria insufficient when reflecting the modern understanding of disability.

The two phases have been designed to bring benefits where evidence requirements are straightforward, as well as introduce robust assessment for more complex cases later in the year.

Phase 1 is set to begin from 01 March 2026, and will expand eligibility to a broader range of customers who are able to demonstrate their need for the card through any existing documentation (i.e. Blue Badge holders).

Phase 2, which will begin in September 2026, will extend eligibility further to include conditions requiring either clinical or professional evidence, including long-term or degenerative medical conditions, as well as neurodiversity where it may have a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.

Full details of evidentiary requirements and application guidance will be published ahead of each phase.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said:

Rail connects people to jobs, education and community and we are determined to make those connections easier to access for everyone.

Many people face real and varied barriers to travel and widening eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard is a step forward in making rail travel a genuine option for more people, listening to how we can help mitigate the additional cost of living with a disability and ensuring our services are shaped around customers’ needs.

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