Outcomes - Concessionary Fares Consultation

Consultation description

The Department for Infrastructure currently funds free and half fare public transport at all times of the day for those who qualify for a SmartPass under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme. The aim of the Scheme is to promote accessible public transport for members of the community who are most at risk of social exclusion. As part of an ongoing Review of Concessionary Fares, the Department ran a 12-week public consultation, on changes to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme. The consultation survey sought views on 10 options.

Options which would reduce the cost of the Scheme 

• Option 1: Raising the age of eligibility for concessionary fares 
• Option 2: Limiting SmartPass use to off-peak travel
• Option 3: Limiting SmartPass use to bus travel only 
• Option 4: Application, renewal, and replacement fees

Options which would increase social inclusion

• Option 5: Free travel for those currently receiving a half fare concession due to a qualifying disability 
• Option 6: Companion passes for disabled people unable to travel alone 
• Option 7: Extend the qualifying criteria for a Half-Fare SmartPass in line with other jurisdictions 
• Option 8: Free transport for destitute asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking 
• Option 9: Changes to the residence test
• Option 10: Proving residency 

Following the consultation, the Minister announced his intention to introduce SmartPass fees and this option was included in a consultation on the draft budget which ran between 11th June 2024 and 6th September 2004 and can be viewed at DfI Budget 2024-25 Equality Impact Assessment | Department for Infrastructure.

Detail of outcome

This is the Department for Infrastructure’s response to the consultation about changes to the NI Concessionary Fares Scheme.

The Summary of Responses and Stage 6 Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) are available at:

• Summary of Responses - Consultation on changes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme

There were 20,138 responses to the consultation. We are grateful to all respondents for taking the time to consider this consultation. Having considered the responses to the public consultation and responses to the consultation on the draft budget for 2024/25, the Minister intends to make no changes to the age eligibility for the Scheme. All SmartPass holders will also continue to be able to travel on both bus and rail at any time of the day. However, in order to help protect the Scheme and manage costs the Minister intends to introduce fees for those applying for, renewing or replacing their SmartPass.

Further detail on the proposed fees and exemptions will be set out in regulations (the regulations) which we hope to lay before the Assembly in 2025/26. However, at this stage, the Minister intends to waive the application fee completely for some groups, such as disabled people applying for a Half Fare SmartPass, those Registered Blind, War Disabled Pensioners and asylum seekers.

As a result of the financial pressures facing the Department the Minister is not in a position to extend the half-fare concession to free travel, introduce companion travel, extend the eligibility criteria for those with disabilities, or provide free travel for asylum seekers this year but will reconsider introduction of these options in the future if the financial position allows.