Confused about how to use railcard

SonOfYorick
SonOfYorick Online Community Member Posts: 41 Connected
in Transport and travel

so I’ve just activated my new disabled railcard.


Thing is, my most common trip is a National rail (important to note it’s NOT the underground) train from one part of London to Clapham.


I just scan my phone or bank card directly over the scanner at the station.

I’m just wondering how I’m going to be able to use it in future - do I have to queue up and use that stupid machine by the station that breaks every so often?


and yes there’s a website where it tries to explain it but it doesn’t or if it does it’s not fluent in ADHD.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 2,329 Championing
    edited January 8

    As you mention tapping in and out- is it a TFL journey? National Rail is a customer service organisation, not a company that runs train services.

  • SonOfYorick
    SonOfYorick Online Community Member Posts: 41 Connected

    TfL is one thing, National Rail is another - and that’s the one that charges me. I don’t really care for terminology or definition . I just need to know how, come Friday when I next approach the station, do I use my rail card.

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 2,329 Championing
    edited January 8

    Without terminology and definition I cannot give correct advice.

    Is it a tfl journey or not?

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,155 Championing
    edited January 9

    Hi SonOfYorick

    I use Citymapper to plan any journey. It was recommended to me for ease of use. Maps and live times for bus and rail.

    Find out which rail company operates your services and go to their website. There are questions and answers regarding the use of railcards. My guess is that yours is now linked to your bank and the fare will be discounted when you tap your phone. I hope this helps.

    Congrats on the new railcard 🤩

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 2,329 Championing
    edited January 9

    If it is a tfl journey, what you need to do is go to a customer services location, buy an Oyster card (£7), and show them your Railcard.

    They will add the Railcard onto your Oyster account to get discounted fares.

    Then you keep the Oyster topped up with money and tap in and out with that instead of your phone/bank card.

    https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/buying-tickets-and-oyster#on-this-page-0

    https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/national-railcard-discount#on-this-page-1

    I know my advice is correct because I had to do the same two months ago for my Disabled Persons Railcard.

    For tfl you can't link your railcard discount to a phone or bank card, it has to be an Oyster card.

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