UK government adds veterans rail discount protection to Railways Bill

SHOTS Desk · 3m ago · Reported

The government has laid an amendment to the Railways Bill to give statutory protection to rail discounts for veterans and service personnel. Veterans and service personnel currently benefit from railcards providing one-third off most rail fares, but until 9 November 2026 had no legal protection for this discount.

The amendment puts the discounts on the same statutory footing as existing protections for young, elderly, and disabled passengers. The government said the move gives reassurance to the armed forces community and their families that the discounts will continue.

The statement also noted a recent expansion of free rail travel for bereaved military family members attending Remembrance events. Both measures, the government said, form part of the establishment of Great British Railways, a new body intended to place passengers at the centre of rail operations.

Read it at UK GovernmentSHOTS Desk