Additional checks are being introduced for passengers who buy train tickets using a railcard. These cards are available to many different types of train users, often offering them significant discounts on their fares. However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said it loses around £20 million in revenue when people purchase these kinds of tickets without actually holding a valid railcard.

The trials of this new system are expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with the earliest start in July. Passengers who purchase tickets with a railcard will be asked to verify it. If they are purchasing them at a ticket machine in a train station, they might be asked to scan their railcard or enter their name or the railcard number. Those who purchase the discounted tickets online or through an pap with a registered account will only need to share the information once, as it will be stored for future purchases.

This move comes after the decision from the DfT to tighten the rules around refunds for flexible tickets, which it says amounts to £40 million per year in lost revenue.

Abuse of this system happens when people request refunds for tickets for journeys they have gone on, but have not had the ticket properly scanned or stamped.

From next month, these new rules mean that Off-Peak and Anytime tickets purchased will only be refundable up to 11.59pm the day before they become valid. This applies unless the service has been disrupted.

However, ticket sellers will consider claims from ticket-holders unable to travel due to exceptional circumstances. As it stands, ticket holders can return unused tickets within 28 days of expiry without providing a reason.

Meanwhile, the DfT also recently revealed plans to streamline the process for claiming compensation for disrupted services. With this new system, passengers will be able to claim payouts directly from their point of purchase, rather than just from the train operator.

Ticket retailer Trainline recently said that over £80 million annually in compensation for delayed journeys because of the process of claiming refunds. It points out that "one-click" claims are largely limited to those who purchase tickets directly from the train operator.

Great British Railways (GBR), a new public sector body, is set to implement these changes. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated: "Using the railway will be simpler and more reliable under Great British Railways. When services are delayed, passengers should be able to easily claim the compensation they're owed.

"These necessary changes will ensure people can claim Delay Repay compensation more quickly and the industry can invest taxpayers' money in the things that really matter for passengers: freezing fares and delivering train and station upgrades, rather than losing out to fare dodgers and fraud."