People with ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia can now qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard, entitling them to a third off usual train fares, after the scheme's eligibility rules were widened to cover neurodivergence.

The change, brought in by the rail industry from 30 September 2026, followed a review by Rail Delivery Group, the Department for Transport and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. It means customers with a long-term impairment, health condition or neurodivergence that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months and significantly affects their ability to use rail services can apply.

Impact matters more than diagnosis alone

Eligibility under the expansion is based on the impact a person's condition has on their ability to travel by rail, rather than on a diagnosis alone. Applicants need to provide either a report or letter from a health professional explaining how their condition affects their ability to use rail services, or a completed impact declaration form signed by a suitably qualified and regulated health or social care professional.

That distinction matters: having a diagnosis of some form of neurodivergence does not automatically qualify someone for the railcard, and applications requiring professional evidence are independently assessed on whether the applicant experiences significant disability-related barriers to rail travel.

What the card is worth

A Disabled Persons Railcard saves the holder an average of £126 a year, according to industry figures, and one adult companion travelling with the card holder also qualifies for the discount.

Department for Transport figures cited by The Times show the number of people holding a Disabled Persons Railcard now exceeds 450,000, the highest number since the cards were introduced in 2012. Rail Delivery Group co-chief executive Dan Mann said expanding eligibility would help more disabled people who face additional barriers when travelling by train to access more affordable journeys.

Sources: Rail Delivery Group; The Times.