SENIOR citizens will be able to buy discounted railcards from City of York Council from Monday.

The National Rail senior railcard, which gives people aged over 60 a third off rail travel in the UK, usually costs £26 for a year, but York residents can now buy the card from City of York Council’s office in St Leonard’s Place for £21.

Labour councillor for Micklegate ward Sandy Fraser said the council started providing the railcard after a local resident proposed the idea.

Mary Deveney, a resident of City Mills sheltered housing scheme in Skeldergate, contacted Coun Fraser to ask if a scheme she benefited from in East Yorkshire could be promoted in York.

Eat Riding of Yorkshire Council buys the railcards in bulk from National Rail so it can offer a discount to senior citizens and sells them for £20.

Coun Fraser said: “I’m delighted that Mrs Deveney got in touch with me to discuss the possibility of the council offering those over 60 discounted railcards.

“The cards cost £26 at railway stations, but by buying in bulk the council is able to sell them for £21 each.

“After putting pressure on the council to take up this initiative, I’m pleased to say that it has been responsive to my efforts on behalf of those eligible for a senior railcard, and agreed to sell an initial batch of these on a first come, first served basis. I’d like to thank Mrs Deveney for raising this issue, given that it is likely to benefit a great many residents in the city.

“If the cards prove popular, the council will purchase more for resale to the public. They will be available from the council’s office at 9 St Leonard’s Place from Monday.”

Coun Steve Galloway said the council had bought an initial batch and would buy more if they proved popular.

He said: “There’s no limit on the number that we can sell. It’s a new venture so we will create interest and see what the demand is.”