Needing low-down on railcard use/checks

[David Grant]

Hello all,

Up until now, my wife and me have used a two together railcard.

With us both now in the “seventy” box and her planning to retire soon I suggested we switch to individual senior railcards so that she can head off for days out with her sisters.

Checking the requirements for the issue of a senior railcard I saw you need to submit either a driving licence or a passport – neither of which she possesses.

I emailed the Railcard people explaining that I needed two cards but that my wife has no passport, and asked what else would suffice? They replied that I could send a photo of her birth certificate.

You’ve guessed it; we couldn’t find her birth certificate so I had to send £12 plus postage to Registers of Scotland for a copy – which arrived, as promised, about three weeks later.

So, this week I emailed the copy to Railcards and phoned up to get things moving. The card for me went through without a hitch but they then refused to issue one for my wife because the birth certificate was in her maiden name, and not the name I had used on the original application.

I lost the plot a bit because I had been referring to my wife throughout the process and surely this can’t be the first time the issue has surfaced. Why didn’t they say at the start that they needed a marriage certificate too? Or maybe even JUST a marriage certificate as that probably includes DOB and both names?

When I told them I was unhappy about needing to spend another £12 plus postage for a copy marriage certificate they said that – crazily – they would be happy to issue a card for Mrs Robertson (the name on her birth certificate) who doesn’t actually exist!

Whilst winding-up train managers by explaining that I am eloping on holiday with a married woman appeals to me, what happens if proof of identity is demanded?

Can any on-board staff on here put my mind at rest over whether they just accept the card and photo without question, or if there are circumstances when a fuller identity check might be demanded?

Thanks in anticipation.

Dave

 

[dodecahedron67]

As long as the photo matches and the name on the railcard is the same one as what pops up when it’s scanned, you won’t have any issues.

I’ve shared a family and friends railcard with a family member where both of us used pseudonyms rather than our actual surname

 

[skyhigh]

Physical senior Railcards don't have photos on them, and there is no requirement to carry ID to prove identity.

There will be no issues using the card.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It might be worth considering buying the Railcard at a station. As far as I can make out, you're still required to produce the same documentation to prove your age, but I can imagine a ticket clerk being more flexible over names when they can see someone in front of them who is visibly over 60 (n.b. apologies for making assumptions about how your wife might appear). You might also be able to present other proof of name and age: for example, does your wife have an age-related bus pass?

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Physical senior Railcards don't have photos on them, and there is no requirement to carry ID to prove identity.

I don't think those inspecting tickets ask to see a Senior Railcard that often, provided the ticket holder looks eligible.

As well as the "bus pass", another way of proving age would be the receipt of the State pension.

 

[SaltAndVinegar]

While you’re looking into railcards, please be mindful that the Disabled Persons railcard has recently-ish expanded its criteria. While neither of you might consider yourselves disabled, it’s worth checking eligibility.

Taking for example my mother, she was looking to purchase the senior railcard but is actually eligible for the Disabled Persons due to use of a hearing aid. The Disabled Persons is cheaper and less restrictive, also the benefits carry over to one companion travelling with you.