Disabled commuters to be hit by new rush-hour train fare hikes

By Jayne Warren - 23/05/2008

CrossCountry, which took over the rail franchise for services between Aberdeen and Penzance and between Stansted and Cardiff from Virgin Trains last year, has brought in a new charging system that means that holders of disabled railcards will be unable to purchase saver tickets with their railcards before 9.30am.

Anyone wishing to travel before that time will only receive a discount on a full fare - a move which will hit those disabled people who are working full-time or part-time.

Passenger Focus, the national rail watchdog which campaigns on behalf of rail passengers, said it would be writing a letter to CrossCountry to express its concerns at the move. Effectively, the move would mean that Virgin will now be the only rail company which offers cut-price savers with railcards at morning peak times.

Stephen Brookes, a regular disabled rail traveller and a member of the Passenger Focus email consultation group for the north-west and nationally, told Disability Now: "CrossCountry have not consulted disabled people about this change, and are effectively discriminating against them and are forcing them onto other routes. My journey will go from £44 to £117."

A CrossCountry spokesman said: "CrossCountry is bringing its ticket restrictions into line with those of other long-distance train operators. On weekdays, all saver tickets will now be valid for travel only after 9.30 am. These simple ticket restrictions replace many different confusing conditions that presently apply."