Senior concessions on trains

[whole diary]

[grahame]

In answer to a question in my mailbox on "OAP railcards"

No such thing if we're being pedantic - "OAP" stands for "Old Age Pensioner" and there is no requirement to be drawing a pension in order to purchase a Senior Railcard - which can be bought from the age of 60, proven with a UK^▸ (United Kingdom) driving license, a passport or a birth certificate - the latter two (I note) have no UK requirement on them, so a senior railcard is (can anyone confirm?) available to tourists visiting the UK.  That international nature confirmed by "For everyone aged 60 and over" in the advertising.

Note:

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between stations in the London and South East area.  Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ.  This restriction does not apply on public holidays.

and note the strange definition of "London and the South East" - https://www.network-railcard.co.uk/about-the-railcard/where-its-valid/ . My original question related to the Heart of Wessex line - you can get the railcard discount at any time of day for a Westbury to Weymouth journey ... but not for a Maiden Newton to Weymouh journey!

Also on the Heart of Wessex, Westbury to Weymouth section and intermediate stations only, holders of ENCTS^▸ (English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Bus passes for senior/disabled persons) cards (bus passes) can get the same discount as a senior railcard for travel during the hours that the ENCTS card is normally valid on the buses - that's from 09:30, or any time at the weekend.

There are other extensions in places too ... I don't think any other rail ones in Somerset / Dorset / Wiltshire.

For example, ENCTS passes issued to residents of the West Midlands also give "Free local train and metro travel [in the West Midlnds] during the above times, as well as extended travel beyond off-peak hours." where "above times" is "between 9.30am and 11.00pm Monday to Friday. All day at weekends and on public holidays. " but extends to last service of the day or to 23:59 on 24 hour services. https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/tickets-and-passes/older-persons-pass/ .

[PhilWakely]

Note:

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between stations in the London and South East area.  Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ.  This restriction does not apply on public holidays.

and note the strange definition of "London and the South East" - https://www.network-railcard.co.uk/about-the-railcard/where-its-valid/ . My original question related to the Heart of Wessex line - you can get the railcard discount at any time of day for a Westbury to Weymouth journey ... but not for a Maiden Newton to Weymouh journey!

This also applies for journeys into Exeter on the Waterloo route! No discount when purchasing a ticket to Exeter Central or St Davids, but you DO get discount if you purchase your ticket through to Exeter St Thomas!  So, the advice is to use the break of journey rule. Buy a ticket to St Thomas, but alight at Central (or St Davids).

[ChrisB]

It's travel within the 'old' Network Southeast area.

[old original]

"...the latter two (I note) have no UK^▸ (United Kingdom) requirement on them, so a senior railcard is (can anyone confirm?) available to tourists visiting the UK."  

Valid for anyone over 60, including visiting tourists. The same applies for any national railcard although what proof would need to be shown for a disabled railcard by a visitor could be a grey area......