26-30 railcard: 'unprecedented' demand leaves millennials fighting for cheaper train travel (copy)

National Rail has launched a trial of a 'millennial' railcard – but the website has crashed and no one can seem to get hold of them.

National Rail has launched a nationwide trial of the 26-30 ‘millennial’ railcard.

The card is only open to the first 10,000 applicants, or one in every 500 travellers eligible.

Getting hold of one is proving to be a mighty struggle. I've been met with this every time I've tried to buy today.

But according to National Railcard's Twitter account, there are still cards available.

There are still 26-30 Railcards avaiable. However our website is stuggling with current demand. Please keep an eye on here for any updates.
— National Railcards (@_Railcards) March 13, 2018

Crash

It seems that a very slim few have managed to get hold of the new card because of ‘unprecedented’ demand on the site leading to crashes.

Due to unprecedented demand our website is struggling. We'll keep you posted here as soon as we resolve the issues. We're really sorry this is happing and have our whole team on it.
— National Railcards (@_Railcards) March 13, 2018

Millennial travellers are fuming at the poor management of this launch, and the limited release of cards. Here's what @rhysejdanino, @TheRealRhodri, @harveynonothim and @Kelly_MJohnson had to say:

Can’t cope with demand, does not offer what is promised, and broken down. #metaphor
— Rhys #FBPE (@rhysejdanino) March 13, 2018

Stop calling it unprecedented.

It seems the only people who couldn't predict this was you at Railcard HQ...
— Rhodri Williams (@TheRealRhodri) March 13, 2018

Extra! 🗣extra! Read all about it! Limited Discount on extortionate service proves overwhelmingly popular! Company in shock.
— Harvey Lloyd (@harveynonothim) March 13, 2018

You can sign up here for updates – National Rail says that it is staggering the amount it releases, so you can be among the first to know about the next batch.

What does the millennial railcard offer?

The 26-30 railcard gives travellers a third off fares to most places in Great Britain, costs £30 and is valid for a year. There are discounts on attractions and events too.

It's digital only so people who have managed to buy the railcard can download the app and can start travelling.

You may remember it being announced in Philip Hammond’s Autumn Budget last year and was trialled on the Greater Anglia service back in December.

Missed out?

For the many, many unlucky passengers out there you can bag an alternative card which could still save you some cash.

Network railcard

Passengers living in London and the South East can get a third off rail fares in the Network Rail area. It costs £30, has no upper age limit and is available for 12 months.

Two Together

If you often travel with the same person, a Two Together railcard is an ideal option.

Two named adults get a third off rail fares when they travel together by train. That’s a third off standard and first class anytime, off-peak and advance fares on train services throughout Great Britain, provided you travel after 9:30am Monday-Friday and at any time on weekends.

It’s £30 (or £15 each).

Family and Friends railcard

Again, you get a third off adult rail fares but you also get 60% off kids’ fares. It can be used by up to four adults and four kids.

Get a three-year card online for £70.

Check out more handy tips over at our handy cheap train travel guide.