A nationwide trial of the so-called ‘Millennial railcard’ will begin Tuesday and commuters are already warning they’ll “fight” to get one of the limited number available.
The one-year railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds will cost £30 and offer a third off most fares in England, Wales and Scotland.
But only 10,000 will be available.
“Looking forward to scrapping with my fellow millennials to get one,” Aman Thakar wrote on Twitter after the announcement was made.
The rollout is phase two of a trial which started in December with Greater Anglia where 10,000 cards were also made available.
The cards are expected to sell out in just minutes, despite the exact time they go on sale yet to be revealed.
The BBC noted that only one in 500 of the eligible population will get one of the railcards, something not lost on one commuter: “Way to piss off 1000s of voters,” Charles Parry wrote on Twitter.
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the benefit in November, but it received a mixed response with the Tory initiative aimed at wooing young voters branded “too little too late”.
Anyone applying for the railcard will need to apply on the 26-30 railcard website or over the phone, pay by card, have a proof of age, either through a driving licence or passport, and have a digital, passport-style photo.
Holders will then need to download an app which will allow them to use it immediately.
Commuters are urged to sign up to receive updates to ensure they don’t “miss out” and be the “first to hear if more get released”.
“Usually, the cost of the Railcard will have paid for itself after one or two trips. Our customers save on average £190 a year, leaving you with a bit more money to eat out or save for a house,” the 26-30 railcard website reads.
The discount will be limited for some during the morning commute as a minimum fare of £12 applies to all journeys made before 10am, Monday to Friday.
It also can’t be used on season tickets, which increased by 3.6% in January.
David Sidebottom, passenger director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “The nationwide trial of the 26-30 Railcard should be welcome news for passengers facing stagnant or falling incomes but they will be extremely disappointed that they are unable to access the website.”