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01/06/2023
Free Travel SmartPass Age Could Be Raised
The Department of Infrastructure has launched a public consultation for views on potential changes to the free travel SmartPass.
The current SmartPass was introduced in 2008 and provides free travel to those over 60-years-old. However, the consultation outlines a number of potential changes such as raising the necessary age to 65 or the current state pension age of 66. This would bring the pass in line with similar schemes in England and the Republic of Ireland.
The consultation also outlines a number of other possible amendments to the scheme. These include limiting free travel to off peak and bus only travel as well as a proposal to extend free travel to those with a disability. Additionally, there is a background proposal to extend the scheme to asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking.
In 2022/23 the scheme cost £39m to run with the Deparment estimating that the scheme's costs will rise to £44.6m in 2023/24. This figure is more than double the original budget for the scheme when it was launched in 2008.
The consultation opened on 1 June and will close on 24 August at 5pm. Responses can be submitted online and by post to the Public Transport Policy Division.
The current SmartPass was introduced in 2008 and provides free travel to those over 60-years-old. However, the consultation outlines a number of potential changes such as raising the necessary age to 65 or the current state pension age of 66. This would bring the pass in line with similar schemes in England and the Republic of Ireland.
The consultation also outlines a number of other possible amendments to the scheme. These include limiting free travel to off peak and bus only travel as well as a proposal to extend free travel to those with a disability. Additionally, there is a background proposal to extend the scheme to asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking.
In 2022/23 the scheme cost £39m to run with the Deparment estimating that the scheme's costs will rise to £44.6m in 2023/24. This figure is more than double the original budget for the scheme when it was launched in 2008.
The consultation opened on 1 June and will close on 24 August at 5pm. Responses can be submitted online and by post to the Public Transport Policy Division.
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