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  2. Travel, transport and roads
  3. Active travel and sustainable transport
  4. Public transport

Using public transport

Whether travelling to work, going shopping, popping into town to meet with friends or getting home safely after a good night out, using public transport can be less stressful and more relaxing than driving. It also helps the environment.

Benefits of public transport

There are many benefits to using public transport. Here are some good reasons why you should ditch the car for public transport:

  • you can enjoy a less stressful journey by letting someone else do the driving
  • you don’t have to worry about finding a parking space
  • it reduces congestion in towns and cities
  • using public transport is cheaper than owning and operating a car 
  • no more sitting in traffic jams in rush hour thanks to bus lanes and other bus priority measures
  • it reduces your carbon footprint
  • Public transport

Safety

It’s important to remember to stay safe while using public transport.  The following pages will provide you with useful information to make sure your journey is safe. 

  • Bus and coach safety
  • Rail passenger safety
  • Taxis and their services

Public transport to school - information for parents

Rather than travel by car, it may be possible for your child to get to school by bus or train. The school will be able to give you more information about this.

If there’s no dedicated school bus serving their route, it is a good idea to do the trip a few times with them to get used to it.

It is important to make your child aware of a few simple safety tips if they are travelling by public transport.

  • Go safe 

Bus safety for children

When using the bus, follow these rules:

  • signal - let the driver know you want on the bus
  • stand back from the kerb when the bus approaches
  • wait for the bus to stop
  • let passengers off first
  • never distract the driver
  • don't push or shove
  • store your bags safely
  • stand behind the driver when getting off the bus
  • never walk in front or behind a bus as the driver has restricted view and might not see you
  • give your seat up for the elderly

Train safety for children

Children should always:

  • stand well back from the platform edge while they're waiting for a train
  • avoid empty train compartments if possible
  • stay seated while the vehicle is moving

Park and Ride or Park and Share

Using Park and Share or Park and Ride are simple but effective ways to reduce traffic congestion.  There are over many such sites located right across Northern Ireland. 

More useful links

  • Bus and coach services
  • Rail travel
  • Community transport
  • Taxis
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Public transport

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): face coverings guidance
  • Park and Share or Park and Ride
  • Using public transport

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

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