- more students aged 16 to 18 to benefit from half-price rail
fares from this September, helping them on their commutes to
school, college or training
- the 16-17 Saver railcard will now be valid for a full year
from purchase rather than expiring when card holders turn 18,
which prevented over 70,000 young people accessing the 50%
discount last year alone
- move is one of the ways the government is putting passengers
first ahead of the creation of Great British Railways and follows
the freezing of rail fares and expansion of tap-in, tap-out
technology
Thousands more young people are set to get half-price travel as
the government extends eligibility for railcards for those still
in education or training in time for the new academic year.
From 17 August 2026, 16-17 Saver railcards will be valid for a
full year from the date of purchase, rather than expiring when
the holder turns 18. Previous rules meant over 70,000 students
annually were left on average £175 worse off than their peers as
they lost out on the maximum discount available.
Transport costs can be a barrier for young people entering the
workplace and so expanding access to discounted rail fares,
alongside the £2 bus fare cap recently
announced by the Prime Minister for England from next
year, will help more young people access opportunities.
The 16-17 Saver's expiry rules will now align with other
railcards, making life's essentials more affordable and
supporting teenagers through the crucial years when they're
accessing education, training or work.
The Rail Minister, Lord , said:
This kind of common-sense change is exactly what passengers
should expect from the railway. I'm proud that this change will
support young people and their families to lower the cost of
travel at a critical time for teenagers, whether they're pursuing
further education, vocational pathways or getting their footing
in the jobs market.
Making travel fairer and more affordable is central to the vision
for Great British Railways. By delivering simpler fares and
putting passengers first, we're creating a railway that's easier
to use, better value for money and focused on meeting the
everyday needs of the people who rely on it.
These changes come alongside a raft of fare and ticketing reforms
ahead of the introduction of Great British Railways (GBR). Contactless options like
pay-as-you-go and trials of innovative digital ticketing are
being expanded outside of London to Manchester, Yorkshire and the
East and West Midlands, while plans are underway to develop
a GBR website and app that
will act as a one-stop shop for passengers to buy tickets, check
train times and claim Delay Repay.
The revised rules bring the 16-17 Saver into line with other
youth railcards. Under the 26-30 railcard, passengers can already
buy the day before a holder's 31st birthday and it remains valid
for a full year.
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO, Rail Delivery Group, said:
The extension of the 16-17 Saver's validity demonstrates the rail
industry's commitment to offering better value fares and
delivering a more joined-up railway for customers.
By enabling customers who turn 18 during their academic year to
receive a full year of savings from the date of purchase, we're
ensuring that young people can continue to benefit from 50% off
rail travel throughout this important stage of their education.
Whether it's getting to school or college, seeing friends or
exploring new places, this change provides greater flexibility
and more opportunities to make the most of their journeys.
Kaynat Ahmad, National Union of Students' Vice President Further
Education, said:
The 16-17 Saver is essential for young people reliant on trains
to get to college, work or training. Allowing young people to
access the savings past their 18th birthday will ease the
financial pressures that commuting brings whether that is money
back into the pockets of young people and their families or
preventing someone from being forced to drop out.
Opportunity should never be defined by what is affordable but,
too often, transport costs have been a barrier to education,
employment and training for young people. With the extension of
the 16-17 Saver, alongside the £2 capped bus fares, we welcome
this government's commitment to addressing the challenges that
young people are facing right now.
Read how the Department
for Transport calculated the £175 average saving figure.
