To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 01 March 2021 to Question 158174, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of providing other alternative ways to offer (a) refunds or (b) extensions for Railcard users who have been unable to use their railcards because of shielding requirements from covid-19.
Answered on
25 March 2021
The Department recognises that railcard holders have been unable to use their cards whilst travel restrictions are in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and railcard holders have not been able to benefit to the fullest extent over recent months.
Passenger demand has fallen dramatically over the last year and my Department recognises that recovery is uncertain. We will continue to work closely with industry on initiatives to encourage passengers back to the railway when the time is right.
However, many passengers are able to recover the cost of their railcard in a single trip over the period of validity of their railcard. Having carefully considered the situation, we are not discussing the prospects of offering refunds or extensions for railcard users.