Half Fare SmartPass - Learning Disability
This half fare concessionary travel pass is available to those who have a learning disability.
Due to a scheduled update of the Translink card printing systems, there will be delays to the processing of SmartPasses until 5 May 2025.
During this time new and replacement SmartPasses cannot be issued, however applications can still be made.
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Contact Translink on 028 9075 9129 or smartpass@translink.co.uk if you have any queries.
How to apply
To qualify for the SmartPass under this category, you must:
- have a recognised learning disability
- be known to your local Health and Social Care Trust
- be aged between 16 and 59
and
- have been permanently resident in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of three months
Learning disability is defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind, which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.
In determining eligibility in a case where there has been no previous contact with specialist services, you should first contact the Adult Learning Disability Team within your local Health and Social Care Trust.
You can get an application form by:
- calling in person at any manned Translink bus or rail station
- by phoning 028 9066 6630 (applicants who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus 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 half fare SmartPass form to be sent to you (provide your name and full address with postcode)
Guidance notes are available at this link:
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 (applicants who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus can use the textphone number 18001 028 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 SmartPass
You should note that:
- Half Fare 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 discounted travel or else the full adult fare will be charged for the journey
- Half Fare SmartPasses are valid only on scheduled bus and rail journeys made in Northern Ireland - they are not valid on cross-border journeys, or on journeys within the Republic of Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPasses are not transferable, nor are any tickets issued with them
- use of the Half Fare 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 Half Fare 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 further information about how to use your Half Fare SmartPass at this link:
Glider services
You can use your Half Fare SmartPass on all Glider services.
Some changes have been made to make it easier for Half Fare SmartPass users to travel on Glider:
- Half Fare SmartPass users are able to travel free of charge on the new service
- 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
The free concession for Half Fare SmartPass users is a temporary reasonable adjustment until an accessible solution is available. It applies only to Glider services.
For all other Translink services, including Metro and Glider feeder services, Ulsterbus, and Northern Ireland Railways, Half Fare SmartPass users will continue to get a half fare concession on the price of a single ticket.
Contact information
If you have any queries, contact Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Concessionary Fares.