Latest news with #Railcard
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rail regulator demands fairer ticket enforcement after The Bolton News probe
The rail regulator has called for a fairer and more consistent approach to ticket enforcement following an investigation by The Bolton News. The in-depth review, commissioned by the government, reveals the current system needs to work better for passengers, train operators and taxpayers alike. The regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), published a report that found travellers face 'inconsistent treatment and outcomes' for similar ticketing issues across the railway. The report has found that rail companies are losing around £400 million a year to fare evasion. And the report comes nearly a year after The Bolton News' landmark investigation into inconsistent ticketing, with passengers who purchased a train ticket advertised as being valid at "any time of day" have been taken to court and fined for using their ticket before 10am. In one instance, we reported that a £5 ticket to Bolton ended up costing a woman more than £100 after she selected an option for a "26-30 Railcard" on her phone while she was buying it – despite not having a railcard. READ MORE: What should have been a cheap trip up costing the woman much more than she bargained for – with an onboard ticket inspector charging her more than £100 for the journey after it turned out her ticket had a 26-30 Railcard discount, despite her not owning a Railcard. Other passengers affected included a 26-year-old man who was fined £462.30 for a £1.44 saving on a journey from Prescot to Liverpool. The ongoing issue was later picked up by national media outlets and was later bought to Parliament by Birmingham MP Ayoub Khan. As a result of the investigation, The Bolton News was also shortlisted for a regional press award. The ORR found there are 'a range of circumstances' in which passengers may innocently travel without a valid ticket, such as forgetting their railcard or simply making a mistake. The report stated: 'Making this more challenging is the railway's complex fares and ticketing framework. 'This has grown more complicated over time.' The inquiry found that rail staff described how 'fare evasion is becoming normalised among certain passenger groups', and it is becoming 'increasingly more challenging to tackle'. The inquiry made a series of recommendations to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and the Department for Transport, such as ensuring passengers have 'clearer information' about tickets, and creating consistency in how passengers are treated when ticket issues arise, particularly in relation to prosecutions. ORR director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn said: 'Effective revenue protection is essential for a sustainable railway, but it must be fair and proportionate for passengers. 'Our recommendations aim to protect both industry revenue and support passenger confidence. 'Our evidence shows a system that has evolved over time where the legal framework and enforcement processes are increasingly complex and appear weighted towards industry, leaving some passengers who make innocent errors vulnerable to disproportionate outcomes. 'But meanwhile, fare evasion remains a significant problem, and rigorous action should be taken against those who intentionally seek to defraud the railway.' A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said it welcomed the ORR's 'sensible recommendations'. She added: 'The rail industry will work on implementing the recommendations in line with our plans to create a simpler, better-value fares system. 'We need to strike the right balance addressing genuine, honest mistakes made by customers and taking firm action against those who deliberately and persistently seek to exploit the system.' Last week, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick posted a widely viewed video on social media in which he confronted people who forced their way through the ticket barriers at Stratford station in east London.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Deserted' UK beach boasts 3-miles of golden sand but getting there isn't easy
Protected by a lush nature reserve and firmly out of the tourist spotlight, this beautiful three-mile beach needs to be on your bucket list - if you can actually get there Sugar-like sand, clear waters, and not a soul in sight - it's hard to believe this secluded beach is in the UK. Tucked away in the west of Porthcawl, Wales, and sheltered by the Kenfig National Nature Reserve lies the golden bay of Sker Beach. Boasting three miles of soft golden sand, this rural slice of coast has somehow managed to escape the tourist limelight - despite being a stone's throw from the insufferably crowded Morfa Beach. It's an idyllic spot, one that will make you feel like you've discovered your own tropical island and is great for those wanting to spend the day soaking up the sun or braving the cool, cobalt waters. But, with no direct car park, getting to Sker Beach is no easy feat. In fact, you can only access the shore on foot, by walking from Rest Bay or the Kenfig National Nature Reserve. It's a 20-minute walk from Rest Bay and a 40-minute walk to the nearest toilet - so make sure you come prepared. Due to its rural location, there are no amenities on Sker Beach, so it's essential you bring food, drink, and sun cream with you. Volunteer lifeguards patrol at certain times, but if there's no flag, there's no patrol. "At low tide, a plaque in memory of all the lives lost on the S.S. Santampa and the Mumbles lifeboat is visible," explained Bridgend County Borough Council. "At very low tides, wreckage can still be found." On TripAdvisor, the beach has received stellar reviews from travellers - who dubbed the coastal gem a 'wild and wonderful place'. "It's so lovely, [it's] like being on the edge of the world," one person hailed. "Definitely worth the walk." Another agreed, commenting: "[There's] so much beach it feels deserted. Plenty of shelter in the dune areas, or on top of the pebble areas for reflection, reading a book or soaking up the sun!" while a third added: "This beach is one of the most unappreciated beaches in Wales. It has no tourists, no pretend surfers and no overcrowding." Located some 173 miles from London, driving to Sker Beach will take around three hours and 22 minutes - followed by the 20-minute coastal walk. You can get indirect trains from the Big Smoke over to Pyle - which takes two hours and 37 minutes - for as little as £64.40. You'll then have to drive, or take a taxi, for six minutes to reach Kenfig National Nature Reserve and then walk to the beach. However, many travellers have slammed the car park here for issuing out hefty fines - so make sure you pay and don't go over the time limit. *Prices based on adult single fares on Trainline at the time of writing. Tickets may be cheaper if you have a Railcard.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Martin Lewis shares trick to get a free Railcard worth £100 - but urges eligible Brits to be quick
Martin Lewis has revealed a trick that will see savvy Brits get a free four-year Railcard which would usually cost a steep £100. The hack applies to those who will be aged between 20 and 25 on June 30 this year and offers a 16-25 Railcard via Santander bank. The money saving expert, 52, explained that Brits will be eligible as long as they are UK residents and have not received the train fare freebie from Santander before. To get the Railcard, which slices a third off the price of most rail fares, keen bargain hunters must put £50 in one of Santander's savings accounts by the end of May. However, the Manchester-born finance guru urged those eligible to work fast in case the demand for the deal becomes too expensive for the bank to sustain. 'I would do it right now, in case there's so much demand it's costing it too much and it pulls this offer sooner,' Lewis said in a video posted on X. Once the money has been deposited, it must stay in the account until at least June 30 or whenever the Railcard has been delivered - whichever is later. Another condition is that the new Santander customer must must also set up mobile or online banking by the end of May - a move Mr Lewis said is designed to 'entice' potential customers. 'You'll get 50 quid saved, you'll get a little bit of interest and you've got a free Railcard, so this is a no-brainer for most people,' Lewis added. He recommended keeping the money in the bank's 'simple' 1.2% easy Access Savers' Account, then withdrawing it when the Railcard has arrived. Lewis directed those who plan to save money with the bank towards its 'one-year fixed cash ISA' that pays a more optimistic 4.25 per cent in interest. But there is a catch - the better savings account requires a minimum of £500 before it can be opened. Alternatively, the bank's 'edge saver' account pays six per cent interest on up to £4,000, described by Lewis as a 'cracking' deal for those looking to save seriously. But to unlock the edge saver, you must have an edge current account with the bank first. Students can skip the hassle, as they get the same Railcard when opening a student account with Santander. But, Lewis explained, there are a few caveats. Firstly, Santander could pull the offer before savers get a chance to reap the benefits and, secondly, your savings could not track. 'Worse comes to worst, you take your money out and you've not lost anything,' he said. It comes amid a rise in rail prices last month which saw fees and the price of most railcards increase by 4.6 per cent. The rising cost of train travel has faced criticism, particularly in light of the fact that 554 trains have been cancelled across the UK every Sunday since August last year. Mr Lewis's top tip follows advice he issued to homeowners up and down the UK on how to check if they're owed money in council tax rebates. The money saving expert, 52, revealed if you've moved house in the last 31 years, especially to a different council area, you could be owed cash in overpaid council tax. A post on the Manchester-born money guru's website revealed 800,000 households may be eligible for a council tax refund worth hundreds of pounds without even knowing it. According to data gathered from Freedom of Information requests a whopping £141 million is owed to people across 349 local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales. Council Tax is used to pay for vital local services like schools, rubbish and recycling collections, repairs to parks and leisure facilities. However the price we pay annually is based on the price your property would have sold for on the open market on 1 April 1991 in England - or 2003 for Wales. The post read: 'Essentially, a Council Tax account will be in credit if you've paid more than you owe at any point. 'Normally, this isn't a problem – in fact, as Council Tax is usually paid in advance, you'll often be in credit. 'However, when an account is closed while in credit – which can happen if you move to another area, for example – this can be an issue.' The post went onto explain how you can check if you are owed any money and how to claim it back. It claimed the simplest way to do this is to see if your council area has an online form called: 'Council Tax refund form.' If you are owed money then you won't have to do anything else as this should be refunded automatically. However if your council doesn't have an online form, the post recommended emailing them or calling them to ask directly.
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Martin Lewis: Santander customers get a free 16-25 Railcard
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Beat rising fares with this clever savings trick and unlock serious discounts 🚆 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A brilliant deal allows you to get a free four-year 16–25 Railcard worth £100 You only need to save £50 by depositing into a Santander savings account or cash ISA The offer is open to new and existing Santander customers – even if you've banked with them before But you must also register for online/mobile banking and keep savings until 30 June 2025 The Railcard code will arrive by 16 June 2025 and must be redeemed by the end of the month Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has shared a clever way to get your hands on a completely free four-year Railcard – normally worth £100 – simply by putting aside £50 with Santander. The offer is available to UK residents aged 20 to 25 – specifically those who will be between these ages on Monday, 30 June, 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You're eligible whether you're a new or existing Santander customer – even past customers can apply, so long as you haven't already received a Railcard through another Santander offer, like its student bank account. (Photos: Getty Images) | Getty Images How to claim the free Railcard To get your free four-year 16–25 Railcard, follow these simple steps: Deposit at least £50 into a Santander savings account or cash ISA as soon as possible – demand may be high, and the offer could be pulled early. Keep the money there until 30 June 2025. Register for online or mobile banking by the end of May 2025 via Santander's website. Watch for your Railcard code, which will be sent via online/mobile banking message by Monday, 16 June, 2025. You'll need to redeem it through the Santander Railcard website by 30 June, 2025. Which Santander account should you choose? If you're only interested in nabbing the Railcard, open Santander's Easy Access Saver. It pays just 1.2% interest, which is low – but that's offset by the value of the Railcard. You can withdraw any time, so once the Railcard is yours, you can close the account. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But if you want to actually grow your savings while taking advantage of the offer, Santander's 4.25% One-Year Fixed Cash ISA offers a solid return for a big bank, but you'll need to put in at least £500 to open it. Alternatively, the Edge Saver pays 6% interest on up to £4,000. To get this rate, you must also open Santander's Edge Current Account, which comes with a £30 Amazon voucher and is highly rated for handling household bills. What about students? If you're aged 18 or 19, the Santander Edge Student Bank Account gives you the same four-year Railcard – with no saving requirement at all. This is a cracking deal for anyone who travels by train – and with train fares rising, a Railcard can pay for itself (or in this case, earn you a profit) in just a couple of journeys. As Martin Lewis always says: 'If you're eligible, why wouldn't you?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More details and full terms can be found on Santander's website. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Martin Lewis: Santander customers get a free 16-25 Railcard
Beat rising fares with this clever savings trick and unlock serious discounts 🚆 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A brilliant deal allows you to get a free four-year 16–25 Railcard worth £100 You only need to save £50 by depositing into a Santander savings account or cash ISA The offer is open to new and existing Santander customers – even if you've banked with them before But you must also register for online/mobile banking and keep savings until 30 June 2025 The Railcard code will arrive by 16 June 2025 and must be redeemed by the end of the month Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has shared a clever way to get your hands on a completely free four-year Railcard – normally worth £100 – simply by putting aside £50 with Santander. The offer is available to UK residents aged 20 to 25 – specifically those who will be between these ages on Monday, 30 June, 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You're eligible whether you're a new or existing Santander customer – even past customers can apply, so long as you haven't already received a Railcard through another Santander offer, like its student bank account. (Photos: Getty Images) | Getty Images How to claim the free Railcard To get your free four-year 16–25 Railcard, follow these simple steps: Deposit at least £50 into a Santander savings account or cash ISA as soon as possible – demand may be high, and the offer could be pulled early. Keep the money there until 30 June 2025. Register for online or mobile banking by the end of May 2025 via Santander's website. Watch for your Railcard code, which will be sent via online/mobile banking message by Monday, 16 June, 2025. You'll need to redeem it through the Santander Railcard website by 30 June, 2025. Which Santander account should you choose? If you're only interested in nabbing the Railcard, open Santander's Easy Access Saver. It pays just 1.2% interest, which is low – but that's offset by the value of the Railcard. You can withdraw any time, so once the Railcard is yours, you can close the account. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But if you want to actually grow your savings while taking advantage of the offer, Santander's 4.25% One-Year Fixed Cash ISA offers a solid return for a big bank, but you'll need to put in at least £500 to open it. Alternatively, the Edge Saver pays 6% interest on up to £4,000. To get this rate, you must also open Santander's Edge Current Account, which comes with a £30 Amazon voucher and is highly rated for handling household bills. What about students? If you're aged 18 or 19, the Santander Edge Student Bank Account gives you the same four-year Railcard – with no saving requirement at all. This is a cracking deal for anyone who travels by train – and with train fares rising, a Railcard can pay for itself (or in this case, earn you a profit) in just a couple of journeys. As Martin Lewis always says: 'If you're eligible, why wouldn't you?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More details and full terms can be found on Santander's website.
