Minister Humphreys announces applications are now open for the New Free Travel Scheme Extension. From 29th July, the Free Travel Scheme is being extended to people who have never been medically fit to drive due to a disability, and to drivers who have a licence and are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer.
The Free Travel Scheme, sometimes referred to as Free Travel Pass, is available to:
The Free Travel Scheme allows you to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, with some exceptions.
Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators. If you would like to find out if a transport operator accepts Free Travel Cards, the full list is available here or you can contact the department to check.
You cannot use your existing Free Travel Card for free travel within Northern Ireland. Find out more about how to avail of free travel within Northern Ireland.
If you qualify for the Free Travel Scheme, a Free Travel Companion Card may be available in some cases. This card allows a companion to travel with you for free. No one else can use your Free Travel Card, it is for you only.
Your Public Services Card (PSC) will display one of the following codes in the top left-hand corner to identify if you can avail of free travel with a spouse, partner, cohabitant or companion:
If you have a Free Travel Card but are unable to travel alone due to a medical condition, you can apply for a Free Travel Companion Card using the:
Everyone who is 66 or over and legally living permanently in the State, can use the Free Travel Scheme.
The department will automatically send you a Free Travel Card if you:
If you are not SAFE registered, the department will ask you to do so. Once this has been completed, the department will send you your Free Travel Card.
If you are under 66, you may be entitled to use the Free Travel Scheme if you are legally living permanently in the State and you:
If you are under 66, have confirmed your identity through the SAFE registration process and your Public Services Card (PSC) has not expired, you will automatically get a Free Travel Card if you receive:
If you are not SAFE registered, you will be asked to do so before the department sends you your Free Travel Card.
From 29 July 2024, the Free Travel Scheme is being extended to include those aged over 17 and under age 66, and:
As part of the application process, you will need to be certified by your doctor as being medically unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months.
You may be entitled to the Free Travel Scheme if you are a widow, widower or a surviving civil partner and you are 60 or over. In this case your late spouse or civil partner must have held a Free Travel Card, and you must be getting one of the following payments:
Note: you may be receiving a similar social security pension or benefit from an EU member state or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement.
To avail of free travel within Northern Ireland you must:
Application forms (FTNI1) for Senior SmartPass Cards are available from your local:
The completed application form must be brought to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office in person (not posted or emailed). You must also bring the following documents with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office:
Your application will be forwarded to the authorities in Northern Ireland who will send your Senior SmartPass card and instructions for use, directly to your home address. It may take up to six weeks to process your application.