Train operators are preparing to cut railcard discounts in a blow to families, veterans and pensioners.
Fare reductions are to be reduced from 34 percent to 33.4 percent from September 15.
Railcards affected include those held by people aged 16-30 or 60 and over; families travelling with children; individuals with a disability and military veterans.
Discounts are currently calculated as 34 percent, but train operators will take advantage of an easing of system limitations to apply a smaller reduction of 33.4 percent.
Examples of Anytime Return fare increases for railcard holders include from £194.15 to £195.90 from Cardiff to London as well as £72.60 to £73.25 from Birmingham to Manchester.
A section on railcard discounts on the National Rail Enquiries website was updated in June to remove references to 34 percent.
Most railcard advertising states the cards provide savings of a third off usual fares, but some operators’ websites continue to give the 34 percent figure, including East Midlands Railway and Heathrow Express.
Bruce Williamson, of lobby group Railfuture, said: “Whilst this represents a very tiny increase in fares for some passengers, it’s a step in the wrong direction.
“As the slogan goes, every little helps, so why risk irritating passengers for a few pence?”
Michael Solomon Williams, of pressure group Campaign for Better Transport, called for the introduction of a northern network railcard to make the system “fairer” by giving passengers in the north of England “the same discount offered to many of their southern counterparts by regional railcards”.
A spokesperson for Railcard, the organisation which manages the discount cards on behalf of train operators, said: “The cost of a Railcard hasn’t increased for over 10 years and will continue to provide customers with a third off their rail fare for just £30 a year – a cost that can be made back in just one or two journeys.”
The rail industry is striving to boost fares income, which remains lower than pre-coronavirus levels.
Office of Rail and Road figures show revenue from passengers was £10.3billion in the year to the end of March, compared with £12.7bn in 2019-20.
