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  • Concessionary travel in Northern Ireland

    Topics:
    • Public transport, 
    • Bus, rail and ferry travel, 
    • Supported travel programmes

    The Northern Ireland 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.

    Background

    The Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme was established in 1978, under Article 5 of the Transport (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, to provide free transport to people who were Registered Blind and half fare travel to senior citizens and war disabled pensioners.

    Free travel for senior citizens (65+) was introduced in 2001, and in 2002 this was extended to war disabled pensioners. The scheme was extended in 2004 to provide half fare concession for people meeting the following categories:

    • registered as partially sighted
    • refused a driving licence on medical grounds
    • known to have a learning disability
    • in receipt of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
    • in receipt of the standard or enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

    Since 2008 the concessionary fare scheme has been extended to include free travel for all men and women over 60 years old.

    Further information

    You can get further information about Concessionary Fares on the Free bus travel and concessions section of the nidirect website.

    • Free bus travel and concessions (nidirect website)
    • Management Information relating to the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares scheme

    Assisted Rural Travel Scheme (ARTS)

    The Assisted Rural Travel Scheme allows Smart Pass holders (in particular the elderly and disabled) access to concessionary travel on Rural Community Transport Partnership vehicles.

    Contact your local Rural Community Transport Partnership for membership. For contact information about your local Rural Community Transport Partnership, visit the following page on nidirect:

    • Rural Community Transport Partnerships (nidirect website)

    Rathlin Island residents

    The Department for Infrastructure funds the Resident’s Pass scheme to help permanent residents of the island offset the cost of travel to and from the mainland to assist the economic and social sustainability of life on Rathlin.

    Rathlin Resident's Pass scheme is operated and approved by DfI. For information on the scheme you can contact us:

    • Telephone: 028 4461 8048 / 028 4461 8115
    • e-mail: RathlinFerry@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
    • Website: www.rathlin-ferry.com

    Related content

    • All-Island Strategic Rail Review
    • Belfast Rapid Transit - Glider - Background
    • Belfast Rapid Transit - Glider - Latest News
    • Belfast Rapid Transit - Glider Introduction
    • Commercial bus service permits
    • DfI services on nidirect
    • Heritage and Tourist Railways
    • Minister Mallon's speech for NI Policy Forum - 21 October 2020
    • Multi-modal transport initiatives
    • New ferries planned for Rathlin and Strangford ferry services
    • Outcomes - Concessionary Fares Consultation
    • Public Service Agreement Notice
    • Railway transport EU issues
    • Railway transport funding
    • Rural Transport Fund (RTF)
    • The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
    • Transport Programme for People with Disabilities
    • Travel Safe Guide
    • Travel Survey for Northern Ireland factsheets
    • Travel Survey for Northern Ireland latest publications
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