War Disablement SmartPass
To qualify for free fares on public transport you must be getting a regular War Disablement Pension or Guaranteed Income Payment from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, and be permanently resident in Northern Ireland.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, public transport services have been reduced. There may be some delays in the processing of SmartPass applications and renewals.
For more information, including timetables and about free travel for Health and Social Care workers, visit the Translink website.
How to apply
You can get an application form by:
- calling in person from any manned Translink bus or rail station
- by phoning 028 9066 6630 (deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants can use the textphone number 18001 028 9066 6630) and asking for a form to be sent to you
- by emailing smartpass@translink.co.uk and asking for a form to be sent to you (provide name and full address with postcode)
You will never be contacted asking for any bank account details when you're applying for or renewing a SmartPass.
Renewing your Half Fare SmartPass
SmartPasses are only valid for five years. Check the expiry date on the front of your SmartPass to see when it will run out, as it cannot be used to get free travel after this date.
Around three months before each SmartPass expires, pass holders should get a letter explaining how to get a new pass.
If you want further information about renewing your SmartPass, contact Translink:
- phone: 028 9066 6630 (deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants can use the textphone number 18001 9066 6630)
Lost or stolen SmartPass
If your SmartPass is lost or stolen, you should report it to Translink as soon as possible to make sure the card is cancelled and avoid the likelihood of fraudulent use.
If anyone else tries to use a stolen pass, Translink staff will be alerted.
Unauthorised use of a SmartPass may result in prosecution.
To get your replacement SmartPass, you should either go to your local Translink bus or rail station, or:
- phone: 028 9066 6630
- email: smartpass@translink.co.uk
Faulty or damaged SmartPass
If your SmartPass is faulty or damaged, you can get a free replacement.
Go to a Translink bus or rail station and exchange your SmartPass at the ticket office for a ‘Faulty SmartPass Receipt’ ticket. This will provide you with free travel on buses and trains for a seven-day period, during which time a new free replacement pass will be issued.
Or you can also get a free replacement pass by contacting Translink:
- phone: 028 9066 6630
- email: smartpass@translink.co.uk
The ‘Faulty SmartPass Receipt’ ticket is only available at a Translink train or bus station when exchanged for the faulty or damaged pass.
Using a War Disablement SmartPass
You should note that:
- War Disablement SmartPasses are issued for the sole purpose of proving eligibility for concessionary travel on eligible scheduled services operated by Translink and other participating operators
- a valid working SmartPass must be shown on every journey to get free travel, or else the full adult fare will be charged for the journey
- War Disablement SmartPasses are valid on point-to-point cross border bus and rail services, but not valid on journeys made entirely within the Republic of Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPasses are not transferable, nor are any tickets issued with them
- use of the War Disablement SmartPass is subject to the full conditions of carriage of the transport operator
- the SmartPass remains the property of the Department for Infrastructure and may be withdrawn at any time
- after you have boarded the vehicle and asked for your ticket, you should check the ticket to make sure that the details of your journey are right - if the details are not right, you should tell the driver/ conductor immediately
- it is the responsibility of War Disablement SmartPass holders to keep their SmartPass in good working condition
The Concessionary Fares Scheme privacy notice is available on the DfI website.
You can find out more information about the SmartPass at this link:
Glider services
You can use your War Disablement SmartPass on all Glider services.
SmartPass users do not need to use Glider ticket vending machines but must tap their card on a validator at the Glider halts before boarding the Glider.