Disabled Persons Railcard  The Disabled Persons Railcard enables passengers with reduced mobility to travel at one-third off many fares on Great Britain’s National Rail network. The card is available as a one-year validity card for £20 and as a three-year validity card for £54. The Railcard holder can take another adult with them at the same discount rate. All franchised train operating companies in Great Britain must accept the Railcard and offer discounts under terms set out in the Railways Act 1993. The Railcard is managed by Rail Delivery Group. It is aimed at people who have the most difficulty using rail for a reason relating to their disability. Its purpose is to encourage people to use the train and to reduce the cost for those who need to be accompanied by a carer. British Rail (BR) introduced the Disabled Persons Railcard in 1981 to mark the International Year of Disabled Persons. Sir Peter Parker was Chairman of BR at the time and the British Railways Board included Tom Libby and wheelchair user Bill Buchanan, who was "Special Adviser on the Disabled". Tom Libby and Bill Buchanan together with Sir Bert Massie (RADAR) were tasked to design and develop the Disabled Persons Railcard. The basic rules of the Railcard were originally jotted down on a beer mat when Tom Libby and Sir Bert Massie had gone for a drink one evening after work. At the time, when the Railcard was in the early stages, Tom Libby and Sir Bert Massie did not know which British Rail department would be dealing with the developments, so they temporarily named it Dept XXX. For many years after the Railcard's launch, applications had to be sent to Dept XXX, British Rail. The Railcard initially cost £5. Its price increased to £14 in the 1990s and then in 2006 to £18. A three-year Railcard was also introduced in September 2006 at £48. The price increased again in January 2011, to its current cost of £20 for a year. The three year railcard was increased the same year, costing £54. (£18 per year). these prices are still in effect. Applicants must submit evidence to show that their disability makes them eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard. This includes having visual and hearing impairments, epilepsy or a number of allowances available to disabled people. Current eligibility criteria are shown on the Disabled Persons Railcard website. Historically, the design of most British trains did not enable wheelchair users to travel in the main passenger area.