Great Western Coffee Shop

Recently tried using e tickets for the first time with tickets displayed on my phone app.  It was only when asked for my ticket did i realise that I had forgotten to bring the associated railcard with me.  The guard concerned was very understanding and let the mistake pass.

My question would be is there any mechanism by which the railcard can be stored also on the phone, for example would a photo of the railcard in question be valid ?

Is there an opportunity for the railcard system to keep pace with e tickets and also be held/ stored within the app ?

Cheers all.

THey are starting to issue e-railcards through the railcard app. You can't I understand convert your paper railcard to an e-railcard - you have to buy again - see www.railcard.co.uk

It is solely *your* responsibility to keep your phone charged in order to display it on request.

They won't accept a photo of said railcard - they never have.

If you have a Android phone then this app is available https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.raildeliverygroup.railcard&gl=GB (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.raildeliverygroup.railcard&gl=GB), although I don't know if you can convert a paper railcard into a mobile railcard.

Also when I looked into this it didn't have very good reviews, although the app now seems to have a high user score. It appears that a lot of issues are around the fact that you need a network signal when you show the card.

Hmmm - it sure isn't your fault if there is no network coverage at the point you get asked to display it - I didn't know this.

I guess they can suggest you log in to the trains wifi (if it's working at the time)

I have used an e ticket once before and it worked just fine on the barriers however wasn’t inspected on train. I use the GWR Touch to travel on a weekly pass now and it’s quite convenient.

I’m sure if you are trotting along the Stroud Valleys or the Cotswold Line and you struggle to get signal the Ticket Examiner/Train Manager would be understanding.

To me e-cards and e-tickets are showing to be more trouble than worth. My 3 year plastic railcard stays in my wallet with my payment card and tickets. That way, they are always there and always valid, charged device or not, network signal or not.

Great replies thank you.  Have looked at the app, but it doesn't seem to accept the Devon and Cornwall Railcard which was the one I had in play on Saturday. 

Might just be simpler to take it out of the ticket wallet, and put it into my daily wallet, (and risk it being eaten by moths !)

Yes, only national railcards can be carried in the app.