Free bus travel and concessions

If you are 60 or over, or you are a person with a disability you may be entitled to concessionary travel on bus and railway journeys within Northern Ireland.

Translink, and some other, smaller transport operators also offer half fare travel for children and young people up until the 30^th June following their 16^th birthday.

Concessionary fares (bus passes) in Northern Ireland

The Concessionary Fares scheme was established to promote accessible public transport for members of the community who are most at risk of social exclusion, through discounted fares. Currently the following concessions are provided:

Free travel for:

• everyone aged 60 and over
• people who are registered blind
• war disablement pensioners

Half fare travel for people:

• who are in receipt of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• who have had a driving licence refused or revoked on medical grounds
• who have a learning disability
• who are partially sighted

To be eligible for any of the above concessions, you must apply for and receive a concessionary travel card, called a SmartPass. Click on the relevant link below for full details of eligibility, how to apply, and terms and conditions.

• 60+/Senior SmartPass
• Blind SmartPass
• War Disablement SmartPass
• Half Fare SmartPass - Disability Living Allowance
• Half Fare SmartPass - Learning Disability
• Half Fare SmartPass - Partially Sighted
• Half Fare SmartPass - Driving Licence Refused

Participating Companies

The following companies currently participate in the Concessionary Fares Scheme:

• Airporter
• Ards Tours
• B & C Coaches
• Cavehill Coaches
• Logan's Executive Travel
• Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company
• McAnulty's Coach Hire
• McDermott Coach Hire
• Translink (Ulsterbus, Metro and NI Railways)

All Ireland Free Travel Scheme for senior citizens

Since 2 April 2007, senior citizens have been eligible for free travel on public transport throughout the island of Ireland.

Senior citizens resident in Northern Ireland can obtain all Ireland free travel at the age of 65.

Senior citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland can obtain all Ireland free travel at the age of 66.

Please note that the 60+ SmartPass does NOT entitle the holder to all-Ireland travel.

Note to 60+ SmartPass Holders who will turn 65 shortly

Your 60+ SmartPass is programmed to expire at the end of the calendar month in which you become 65. If you have applied for a Senior SmartPass, it will not be sent to you until near the end of the month in which you become 65. As free all-Ireland and cross-border travel is only available with a Senior SmartPass, it may be that you have to wait up to 3 weeks following your 65th birthday before you can claim this benefit.