News Release Page Title

16 February 2007

ALL IRELAND FREE TRAVEL FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Transport Minister, David Cairns, today launched the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme for older people with the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Irish Social and Family Affairs Minister, Séamus Brennan at Connolly Station in Dublin.

The Minister said: “The introduction in 2002 of free travel in Northern Ireland through the Concessionary Fares Scheme, has resulted in over 200,000 senior citizens enjoying greater levels of mobility and independence than ever before.

“Today we can confirm that the new All Ireland Free Travel Scheme will begin on 2 April. Northern Ireland Senior SmartPass holders will also be able to use their existing SmartPasses to obtain free travel on public transport throughout the island of Ireland.”

The Minister also took the opportunity to remind Northern Ireland senior citizens to check the expiry date on their Senior SmartPass, to be sure of obtaining free travel. “This new Scheme increases the benefits of carrying a valid Senior SmartPass, so I would ask all passholders to check whether their pass is due to expire shortly. The Department has set up a dedicated user helpline 0845 600 0049 for those who need further information. ”

Since 1995 Northern Ireland senior citizens have been eligible for free travel either to or from single destinations in the Republic of Ireland while senior citizens from the Republic have enjoyed a similar concession in Northern Ireland. The new Scheme will enable senior citizens to travel free-of-charge throughout the island of Ireland.

A public consultation took place last summer which welcomed the initiative.

Northern Ireland senior citizens aged 65+ are eligible for free travel. In the Republic of Ireland, senior citizens are eligible for the concession when they turn 66.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. For media queries contact the DRD Press Office on 02890 540372.

  2. The Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme is funded and administered by the Department for Regional Development. The Scheme currently provides free travel on public transport within Northern Ireland for:

    3. · Men and women aged 65 and over;
    · People who are registered as blind; and
    · Those in receipt of a regular war disablement pension
    Half fare travel is available for several categories of people with disabilities; and for children up to the 30 June of the year they turn 16 (while in compulsory education).

  3. The current annual cost of providing concessionary fares for senior citizens is £9.7 million. It is estimated that the all island extension will cost an additional £1 million annually.

  4. Since 1995 Northern Ireland senior citizens (aged 65+) have been afforded free travel on “point-to-point” public transport services that cross the border with the Republic of Ireland. Under this current cross border arrangement, the Northern Ireland government pays only for the travel within Northern Ireland of people who live in Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland pays for the rest of the costs. Under the terms of the new Scheme, each government will pay for the free travel taken within its own borders.

  5. Approximately 210,000 concessionary cross-border journeys were taken in 2004/2005. Senior citizens took 105,000 journeys from Northern Ireland and 105,000 were taken by senior citizens from the Republic of Ireland.

  6. From the end of April onwards, around 12,000 SmartPasses will expire each month. If eligible persons are to continue to avail of concessionary travel in Northern Ireland and to be afforded free travel in the Republic of Ireland, they should check that their pass is still valid. They should watch their post and the press for details of what to do if their pass is due to expire.

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