I prefer to frame it more like this: "People in your age range drive less or cannot legally do so and as such have few other options for transit, so we'll give you a discount. Also, the negative externalities of rail travel are far lower than other modes of transit so we should encourage as many people as possible to use it. When a frequent young user of rail transit grows out of the lower price bracket, they will likely continue to use the service to help keep it affordable for all."
Also, <25 and >60 are probably much less likely to be using rail to commute to paying jobs. Additionally most of the Railcards are scoped to only off-peak travel, which again focuses on leisure/family rather than work.
Its like "people in your age range are richer than average, so we are going to charge you extra."
I prefer to frame it more like this: "People in your age range drive less or cannot legally do so and as such have few other options for transit, so we'll give you a discount. Also, the negative externalities of rail travel are far lower than other modes of transit so we should encourage as many people as possible to use it. When a frequent young user of rail transit grows out of the lower price bracket, they will likely continue to use the service to help keep it affordable for all."
Also, <25 and >60 are probably much less likely to be using rail to commute to paying jobs. Additionally most of the Railcards are scoped to only off-peak travel, which again focuses on leisure/family rather than work.
It's a blunt tool, but it's not terrible.
I suppose it would almost work for me, I had my highest income in my early 40s, but now I'm in my 50s and my income is quite low.
Over 60's