Disabled passengers give vote of confidence for Britain’s railways

New figures show a record numbers of disabled passengers held discounted railcards on Britain’s railways over Spring 2026. Over 450,000 Disabled Persons Railcards were held between April and August 2026, up 25% on the same period last year, and the highest number since records began in 2012.

The information is being seen as a major vote of confidence from disabled passengers in Britain’s railways, as railcard usage has more than doubled compared with 2016-17, driven by wider criteria for those applying, and keeping the cost of a disabled persons railcard at £20 a year.

Demand for support boarding or departing trains is also at an all-time high, with nearly 750,000 passenger assistance requests made over the summer – 21% up on 2025.

The news comes as the availability of railcards is expanded to include passengers with non-visible disabilities, helping more people travel with confidence from the start of this month.

New trains will also make getting on and off easier, as Great British Railways makes level boarding a baseline requirement for all new trains.

Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said: “Disabled passengers are taking more journeys by rail than ever before – a major vote of confidence in accessible travel, partly thanks to us making the Disabled Persons Railcard available to a wider range of disabled people.

“We’re also keeping the cost at just £20, and making level boarding standard on new trains as we move towards public ownership – ushering in a new era of more accessible, affordable and inclusive rail travel.”