01/10/2001

Free travel for province’s senior citizens

Senior citizens took to the roads across Northern Ireland for free as the initiative enabling them to travel free came into effect on Monday October 1.

The initiative, funded by the Department of Regional Development (DRD) means that bus and rail travel on public transport is now free for senior citizens aged 65 and over as long as they have a concessionary pass.

DRD minister Gregory Campbell said: “The introduction of free travel for the elderly has been one of my main priorities since I came to office and I am delighted to officially launch this important initiative today.

“Affordable mobility is essential if older people are to experience a reasonable lifestyle and gain access the wide range of facilities and service available to society generally.”

The Minister also reminded senior citizens travelling as passengers or on foot on the Strangford Lough Ferry Service that, starting on 1 January 2002, they too will be able to travel free.

Mr Campbell said: “The Strangford Lough ferry provides a vital service and I firmly believe that it should offer free fares to senior citizens in keeping with my Department’s policy of targeting concessions at users of public transport.” (AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 August 2001
Senior citizens set to benefit from free travel
Senior citizens who currently have to pay half fares on Northern Ireland’s transport system will be able to obtain a concessionary pass that enables them to travel free of charge as of October 1 this year. A two-month publicity campaign advertising the move has been organised by Translink and funded by the Department for Regional Development.
03 April 2002
Minister lauds free travel initiative as a success story
More than 90,000 senior citizens have already applied for their SmartPasses that will entitle them to free travel with Translink, the Minister for Social Development Nigel Dodds has said.
16 February 2007

All Ireland free travel for older people




Transport Minister, David Cairns, has 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.
26 June 2006
Free cross-border travel for pensioners plans revealed
The British and Irish governments are planning to offer pensioners unlimited free travel throughout Ireland.
30 April 2002
May Day brings free travel for NI's pensioners
Senior citizens across Northern Ireland will be able to travel completely free on all of Northern Ireland’s transport services from May Day.