Thousands of people have backed a campaign calling for free rail travel for people of State Pension age. An online petition demanding the change was recently rejected by the Department for Transport, but the Petitions Committee has now asked for a government response.
More than 21,000 people across the UK signed the petition, which said free rail travel for people with the concessionary bus travel scheme would 'enhance their mental wellbeing' by allowing them to meet up with friends and enjoy days out, the Daily Record reports.
But it also said that “local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations, such as offering free travel on rail as part of the ENCTS pass”. It added: “To help make train journeys more affordable, individuals aged 60 and over are eligible for the Senior Railcard which offers a third off rail travel.”
The Petitions Committee said they felt that the response “did not directly address the request of petition” and have written back to the UK Government to ask them to “provide a revised response”. The revised response will be published on the petitions- parliament website here. You can also read the full Department for Transport response on that same page.
People aged 60 and over are eligible for the Senior Railcard, which offers a third off rail travel. It costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years.