Virgin West Coast has announced it plans to scrap railcard discounts on off-peak tickets used to travel at peak times.
From September 6, travellers will no longer be able to buy off-peak tickets for peak time trains using railcard discounts, in a move that Virgin West Coast said will "bring us in line with other long distance train operating companies".
Travellers were notified about the change via email and on the Virgin website on Tuesday, giving them less than two weeks to make alternative travel plans.
A standard peak-time return from Manchester to London Euston will more than double for railcard users - from £81.20 to around £219.40, according to reports. The full fare is £325.
One disabled railcard user said on Facebook that this will take the cost of a return journey from Shrewsbury to London Euston from £74.70 to £257.40 – an increase of 245 per cent.
"Shocking, shameful and distressing," the railcard holder said.
Virgin said that discounts are still available at peak times, but not on offpeak tickets.
"From 6th September railcard holders will no longer be able to buy off peak tickets for use on our peak services. We are the only train operator to offer this double discount where customers can use discounted, off-peak tickets on peak-time trains," a spokeswoman said.
Are Virgin trains genuinely being serious with their #railcard dodging from next month?! Ridiculous
— Luke (@iamluke_) August 24, 2015
@VirginTrains My station has told me, a Senior Railcard holder, that after September 6th I'll not be able to use Virgin; shame on you;why?
— thequeenlookalike (@lookalikequeen) August 26, 2015
"This sudden U-turn in policy will have a direct negative impact many and is a threat to people’s careers if they can no longer afford to travel to work," said Georgia May, who has started a Change.org petition to battle the new rules.
May said that commuters travelling to work in London, Milton Keynes and Birmingham on railcards including the 16-25 Young Persons Railcard will be hit. Even with discounts available on advance tickets, May said the cost of her commute will treble.
Manchester MP Lucy Powell has called for an urgent review of the changes. She told Manchester Evening News: "Railcards are used overwhelmingly by older people, people with disabilities, young people or people with families. These changes will lead to huge increases in fares for the customers the railcard system should be supporting."
