Tories secretly halt roll out of 26-30 railcards in row over funding The roll-out of the “millennial railcard” has been kicked into the long grass following wrangling within government over who will […]

The roll-out of the “millennial railcard” has been kicked into the long grass following wrangling within government over who will pick up the bill for subsidised travel.

Plans to offer railcards to travellers aged 26 to 30, giving them a third off most ticket prices in England, Wales and Scotland, were announced in the Budget by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

The scheme received a mixed response from its target audience when it emerged that only 10,000 railcards were initially being produced on a pilot basis despite four million people falling into the eligible age bracket.

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The promised wider launch has been delayed because ministers have become embroiled in a row over how the scheme will be funded, i has learnt.

A Treasury source said: “No-one wants to pay for it.”

Lack of funding

It is understood that the department does not want to be landed with the bill while detail of the scheme’s funding is worked out.

“It would set a bad precedent,” said an insider.

A card for 16 to 25-year-olds has existed since 1974.

Mr Hammond told Parliament in his Budget speech in November: “I can announce a new railcard for those aged 26 to 30, giving 4.5 million more young people a third off their rail fares.”

Limited roll out

The Treasury insisted they remained committed to the railcard and would continue to “work with industry to extend the benefits of discounted rail travel to ensure those aged 16 to 30 can access appropriate concessions.”

The new railcard was launched in March but actually rolled out initially to those living in areas serviced by Greater Anglia rail area. Other rail regions were expected to be offered the card at some point this year.

The cost to Greater Anglia for piloting the scheme was put at £20m, in part subsidised by the Treasury.

Huge demand saw the 26-30railcard.co.uk website crash throughout the day and made buying the railcard almost impossible.

Many frustrated customers attempted to get through on the phone but faced delays of more than one hour before getting through only to be told none were available.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “This latest problem with so called millennial railcard is bad news for 26 to 30-year-olds who were promised discounted fares. Rather then introducing rafts of different railcards, the best way to encourage more people to use the railways is to make train fares more affordable for everyone, regardless of age.”

Labour promises

Labour has in turn promised free bus travel to under-25s in some areas of England.

Younger voters have been receptive to some of the policies proposed by Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

The shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald, said: “It was always a promise that did not bear scrutiny. It was not a real policy, it was an announcement.

“Ministers need to explain exactly how it is going to be delivered and where the money is going to come from.”