Three million people in the UK living with ADHD are now eligible to apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard (DPRC), which offers a third off rail fares for the cardholder and one adult companion. The change follows a broadening of the qualifying criteria for disabled railcards earlier this year.
What the Railcard Offers
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can affect a person's ability to focus, manage impulses, or regulate energy levels. According to ADHD UK, three million people across the UK live with the condition, with 881,922 of those estimated to be children aged between five and 24 years.
The revised eligibility requirements now cover a broader range of conditions, including "neurodiversity where it has a substantial impact on a person's ability to travel by train." The disabled railcard costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years, with the Rail Delivery Group estimating that cardholders could save approximately £126 annually.
Record Number of Holders
This year has seen the number of disabled railcard holders reach a record peak of over 450,000, a substantial rise from under 200,000 in 2016, according to data from the Office of Rail and Road. The figure is expected to rise considerably as eligibility expands to include more individuals.
The development was celebrated as a "railcard revolution" by rail minister Lord Hendy earlier this month. He stated it would "help thousands more people access cheaper rail travel, helping disabled people travel with confidence." Lord Hendy added: "The Government is determined to help ordinary people live better lives and this change is just one measure that will make it that bit easier for disabled people to get to education, employment, and stay in touch with friends and family."
Application Requirements
A Department for Transport spokesperson commented: "Expanding eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard is the right thing to do. It will help improve access to rail transport and make easier for disabled people to get to education or employment, and stay in touch with friends and family."
Applications for the railcard require support from either a medical or social care professional and are based on the impact a person's condition has on their ability to travel by rail, not by diagnosis alone. Applicants must supply a report or letter from a health professional explaining their access needs, or a completed impact declaration form signed by a suitably qualified and regulated health or social care professional.
The Rail Delivery Group has urged anyone believing they may meet the requirements to submit an application. A spokesperson explained: "There is no list of neurodivergent or degenerative conditions that automatically qualify. Instead, applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, recognising that experience and support needs can vary considerably between individuals."
