The staff travel restrictions for Summer 2026 valid from 17 May to 12 December are now available on the RST Staff Travel Restrictions page.
These restrictions cover acceptance of complimentary refreshments, seat reservations and lounge access. They apply to anyone using any staff travel facility, including:
- Freight Duty Cards
- Duty Authority to Travel (DAT) Cards
- Residential Passes
- Status Passes
- Staff Travel Cards
- Rail Staff Leisure Cards
- RST Online Leisure Cards
- TOC-specific and group-specific cards
They also apply to anyone using staff-discounted (priv-rate) leisure or season tickets, even if seat reservations have been made.
Holders of the RST Online Leisure Card may not use any Caledonian Sleeper, Elizabeth Line, Grand Central, Hull Trains, or London Overground service. (The only exception is when travelling across London between Liverpool Street and Paddington on a ticket containing the cross-London marker.)
Apart from the restriction above for holders of the RST Online Leisure Card, there are no specific services which are barred to holders of Rail Staff Travel facilities.
As a reminder, Active staff and their dependants must give up their seats if asked, when fare‑paying passengers are standing. Retired staff and their dependants may be asked to give up their seats, but they are not required to do so
Please make sure all holders of staff travel facilities read and understand the restrictions that apply to their use.
