Fare deal for over-50s looks set to boost off-peak rail travel

Graham Payne signs up for ScotRail's Club 50 at Aberdeen
Graham Payne signs up for ScotRail’s Club 50 at Aberdeen

MORAY’S OVER-50s are being offered a chance to travel anywhere in Scotland for £10 return if they sign up for ScotRail’s new Club 50 railcard – which is itself free for the first year.

Club 50 will launch on September 14 and offer year-round savings in return for travelling at quieter times. The new railcard replaces the highly popular Club 55 service that offered return travel at selected periods for as little as £15 return.

Anyone signing up for Club 50 before the end of August will receive their first year free of charge – after that it will cost £15 annually. In addition, early adopters of the new card can travel with a partner for £10 return on any ScotRail off-peak service – or make two solo journeys.

Nesta Gilliland, head of marketing at ScotRail, said: “The £10 deal shows we are serious about providing excellent value to Club 50 members right from the off.

“We will have more one-off deals from time to time, on top of year-round discounts and partner promotions.”

Around 17,000 over-50s have already noted an interest in the new railcard membership and they are also being offered the chance to take advantage of the £10 deal. Ms Gilliland added: “We are contacting everyone who has registered to make sure they know about this offer.”

Standard discounts on the Club 50 will see 10% off all off-peak or advance fares purchased by telephone or at stations and 20% off tickets that are purchased online. There will also be free tea/coffee on ScotRail services that have on-board catering trolleys – which includes most services between Aberdeen and Inverness.

One customer who has already signed up is 70-year-old Graham Payne, who said: “Club 50 will suit me perfectly as it means I can get buy discounted tickets to visit my children and grandchildren in the Central belt at any time of the year.

“The free sign up and £10 flat fare for the launch is a great way to start.”

Members will be issued with a ScotRail Club 50 Smartcard when they sign up. Plans are in place to load tickets onto Smartcards from 2016, which will remove the need for members to carry separate tickets.

Further information and sign-up details can be found on the ScotRail website.