When I launched this petition, I never imagined how far it would go — or how many NHS workers would get in touch to say “thank you, this affects me too.”
Now, I know this is bigger than I thought.
🩺 I work in a specialist paediatric intensive care unit. My shifts are long, often overnight, and I travel from Woking to London — a 25-minute train ride that costs me nearly £300 a month.
🚉 I use flexi-season tickets — 8 trips for just under £200 — but because night shifts require two tickets, I always have to top up. On top of that, off-peak single journeys are £13, and peak-time mornings after nights are £15.20 — and I have to use them.
I’ve now spoken to several colleagues who are in exactly the same position — some paying well over £300/month, some spending over £220 for just six shifts, others waiting hours after their shift ends because the early trains home have been cancelled.
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💳 Why an NHS Railcard matters
We’re not asking for a free ride — we’re asking for the chance to afford to get to work.
A dedicated NHS Railcard would:
✅ Support recruitment & retention of NHS staff
✅ Help those travelling long distances for specialist roles
✅ Encourage use of public transport
✅ Offer discounts on flexi-season tickets — the most realistic option for shift workers
✅ Support everyone in the NHS — porters, cleaners, healthcare assistants, admin staff, junior doctors, lab techs, and more
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📰 Where this campaign has been featured
• Surrey Live
• Nursing Times
• London World
• BBC News
• Epsom & Ewell Times
• [That’s TV Surrey – Channel 7, Freeview]
• Express Poll
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🖊️ Sign & share
We have two active petitions:
🔗 Parliament petition (needs 10,000 for a response / 100,000 for debate):
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/729126
🔗 Change.org version (for visibility and community support):
🎯 Goal: an NHS Railcard that helps all of us who care for others — care for ourselves too.
Thank you so much for your support. Let’s keep pushing until this becomes real. 💙
—
Alicia (in personal capacity, just a nurse trying to make commuting bearable)