New rule change means Brits can travel for HALF the price on trains from today

MILLIONS of people across the UK are set to benefit from cheaper train tickets as a new rule comes into force. The Department for Transport has said this move is just “common sense” and will mean customers can save more money every time they get the train. Young people will be able to get more use out of the 16-17 Saver railcard now Credit: Alamy Stock Photo The new rules will mean that 18-year-olds will soon be able to buy tickets at discounted rates due to an extension to a popular student saver scheme. Before the rule change, if a person had a 16-17 Saver railcard, when they turned 18 it would expire. The rule change will now mean that it will expire when a holder turns 19 instead. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! This means from today (August 17) someone aged 17 will be able to buy the railcard up until the day before they turn 18, and it will remain valid until the day before they turn 19. According to the DfT, over 70,000 students each year spent an average of £175 more on rail transport in the academic year than those with the Saver card. Purchasing this railcard could also save more money per journey as opposed to buying 16-25 Railcard, which only entitles them to a third off the cost of travel. The 16-17 Saver Railcard costs £35 per year and entitles the holder to half price train fares for most services. Earlier this month, rail minister Peter Hendy described the extension as a “common sense change”. He added that this is “exactly what passengers should expect from the railway” and emphasised that this would be an overall beneficial move for young customers. Most read in Money He noted that this change would “lower the cost of travel at a critical time for teenagers whether they’re pursuing further education, vocational pathways or getting their footing in the jobs market.” The vice president for further education at the National Union of Students, Kaynat Ahmad, echoed his sentiments and said the railcard is “essential for young people reliant on trains to get to college, work or training.” Comment now