It all started with looking at the train fares. £62 for a return. Seemed pricy.

Did I consider:

• Track maintenance costs?
• The awesomeness of a fully electrified rail network and beautiful scenery?
• The length of the journey?
• The comparative cost of car travel to the same destination, whilst having to drive, which would involve taking a driving test and buying a car and insurance… and having to concentrate on what I was doing, as well as judge distances accurately?

Of course I didn’t. I can be a very typical person/end user sometimes 😂

But nevertheless I had decided that the cost of a weekend return from Glasgow to Fort William was expensive.

It led me on a metaphorical journey: touching upon stats, entitlement and definitions of self. I thought I would share it with you.

Cost

I’m careful with money. It’s how I’m built. When I discovered aforementioned 3.5 hours train journey was £62 return, it was outside my usual comfort zone for a ticket price, so I started to look into discounts.

Recently I’ve come to accept that some people describe ADHD as a disability, so I thought “doesn’t hurt to ask”, so I checked the UK’s National Rail website to see if ADHD counted as a qualifier for their discount scheme – apparently not by their terms. Only if I have a government subsidised car (the motability scheme), would it count. Heh? So if I pay to have a car, I can then get a discount on rail? This piece isn’t about joined up policies, but I would have loved to be in the room when that definition was decided!

Anyway, lurking elsewhere on the page, I did see the mention of the (Scottish) National Entitlement Scheme. So I read it. And I looked again. For this scheme, I did meet potentially the criteria – my ADHD and/or my dyspraxia means that it is a really good idea for all road users that I do not drive. But then I had a moment of conscience!

Use it or lose it

We all know that money is finite. Do I apply for the discount card? Free bus travel throughout Scotland and significantly discounted local rail travel. Surely this would take money from some cash-scrapped governmental (or local) body?

So here’s the thought process: Would you opt to pay more tax? Say everyone was paying one tax rate, but you could choose to pay a higher rate of tax. Would you do it? Whilst many of us would like to think that we are generous, I’m not aware of anyone that pays more tax than necessary, that doesn’t claim any tax offsets they realise they are entitled to.

With this in mind, I realised that I am entitled to this discount, so I should apply for it. If I save money, then it’s my choice what else I do with it.

There’s another good reason. Use it or lose it. I’ve seen a number of schemes that have closed through lack of usage. Or more accurately: lack of perceived demand. By applying for, and using the card, I support other users. It also highlights that there is a need for this scheme.

Card arrival

I applied for my card. Eventually. First I had to read the details on one website which said that I could read more information and download the form on a different website. The only thing was that the second website pointed me back to the first website. Very Catch 22! A phone call sorted it all out however.

Once the card arrived, I then started using it more than expected. What I hadn’t considered was that my life was previously hampered by my lack of travel options, and being put off by the cost. Now I can travel without that headache. Also, I actually feel liberated as my disability has been recognised and I appreciate the support I’ve been given to become a more equal member of society, better able to participate… and spend money at a number of far flung places across Scotland.

What are the morals of this piece?

• Data matters
• Apply for benefits if they are designed for you
• Websites still suck, and often fail end user testing
• Bus travel is fun!
• And you can go from Glasgow to Fort William for free, if you have a National Entitlement Card

Some more photos of the trip

See if you can spot the penny farthing, which was placed alongside a wedding dress at the local museum. Nope, no idea why! And that boat could be 4.5m higher depending on the tide, hence the ramp and me about to board via the roof on this occasion.

p.s. Many thanks to Yvonne Small for her input on this piece.

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