Website for new 26-30 railcard crashes as millenials battle to get cheaper train travel
HEAVY traffic from young travellers trying to buy the new 26-30 railcard has caused its website to crash.
The website to buy the railcard, which would give eligible travellers a third off fares, crashed within minutes of opening and people aren't happy about it.
Although the looks fine at first, if you try to click the 'Buy now' button you just receive an error message.
Those unable to get on to the inundated website took to Twitter to vent their frustration at not being able to get hold of the discounts.
The railcard launched today and is part of a year long trial before the government decides whether the discounts are rolled out nationally.
The government plans to eventually have the railcard be available for anyone aged 26-30, although there are only 10,000 for purchase today.
That means of the five million eligible for the card only one in every five hundred will be able to buy a railcard.
Twitter user Emily Thomas described trying to get the new railcard as being worse than trying to buy a Glastonbury ticket.
The card has to be bought online as it is only available as a digital ticket. Those people lucky enough to get their hands on a card will receive one third off of train fares in Great Britain.
However, a £12 minimum fare applies for journeys starting between 4.30am-10am Monday to Friday, excluding Advance Fares.
The card is intended to be used on a smartphone, but if you lose your phone or your phone dies you can transfer the card to another phone online.
National Railcards have said on Twitter : "Due to unprecedented demand our website is struggling. We'll keep you posted here as soon as we resolve the issues. We're really sorry this is happening and have our whole team on it."
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Chancellor Philip Hammond said in his Budget speech last year that the railcards would give 4.5 million more young people a third off their rail fares.
But with only 10,000 available on the first day it is easy to see how travellers might get frustrated.
David Sidebottom, passenger director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:
“The nationwide trial of the 26-30 Railcard should be welcome news for passengers facing stagnant or falling incomes but they will be extremely disappointed that they are unable to access the website.”
Simon Meechan from Newcastle Upon Tyne said " Phillip Hammond, last year. 26-30 railcard will help 4.5m save money on fares by Spring.
"Spring 2018: We're only going to sell 10,000 26-30 railcards, and the website isn't gonna work."
Catherine Allen from Bristol said on Twitter "I spend about £100 on train tickets a week. This 26-30 railcard could save me £1000s."
"When it was announced, I built it into my yearly budget – it makes a huge difference! And then they let everyone down by only 'trialling' 10,000 and letting the buying system crash."
Virgin trains will soon be launching their own Spring Seat Sale offering cheap seats throughout Easter.
Here is how to stay ahead of the chaos and avoid Southern Rail Strikes.
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