Ministers Calleary and O’Brien announce extension of Free Travel scheme for over 70s

• Free Travel Companion Pass out there from 29 September for folks aged 70 and over
• 525,000 folks anticipated to profit from this new measure

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, and the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, have right this moment introduced particulars of an extension of the Free Travel Scheme for these aged 70 and over.

From twenty ninth September, these over 70 with a sound free journey companion Public Services Card can have one other particular person, aged 16 or older, journey with them without cost on all public and sure personal transport providers operated below the Free Travel scheme. This consists of bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, together with some providers operated by personal bus and ferry transport operators.

The Ministers made the announcement right this moment throughout a go to to Heuston Station.

This measure is predicted to profit as much as 525,000 Free Travel recipients aged 70 and over at a value of €4.1m this yr.

The Extension of the Scheme is supported by all Ministers within the Department of Transport – Minister Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister of State Séan Canney TD.

Over latest months, the Department of Social Protection has written to all eligible folks to allow them to know concerning the new entitlement.

Commenting right this moment, Minister Dara Calleary mentioned:

“I’m very pleased to announce this significant expansion of the Free Travel Scheme.

From the end of September, everyone over 70, with a valid Free Travel companion Public Services Card, will be able to bring another person with them on their journey across all public and certain private transport services participating in the Free Travel scheme.

This measure is expected to benefit up to 525,000 people aged 70 and over and I hope it will give older people freedom of choice as well as greater independence and security when travelling for reasons such as medical appointments or to attend family, leisure, or cultural activities.”

Minister Darragh O’Brien mentioned:

“The introduction of the free Public Services Companion Pass for individuals over 70 years of age represents a meaningful advancement in inclusive and sustainable mobility. By enabling older citizens to travel with a companion at no additional cost, we are further supporting and encouraging the independent use of public transport options for all members of our communities.

The rollout of this new initiative further complements efforts towards ensuring a fully accessible public transport system and delivers on our Programme for Government commitment to identify, research and coordinate delivery of behavioural change initiatives to support modal shift and reduce car dependency, focusing on wider societal benefits of the change.”

Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD mentioned:

“I welcome the extension of the Free Travel Scheme, where those aged 70 and over can have another person travel with them for free on transport services operated under this scheme.

Initiatives such as Free Travel Companion Pass form part of Government’s continued commitment to support our older people to live full and independent lives in their communities, which includes providing greater accessibility to transport services.”

Minister of State with accountability for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports on the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, mentioned:

“This new initiative further complements efforts towards ensuring a fully accessible public transport system. This measure reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older people in Ireland. It provides tailored support to meet their mobility needs and ensures that public transport serves all citizens, regardless of age or location.”

Estimated breakdown of beneficiaries by County as follows:

The Free Travel Scheme is at the moment out there to everybody aged 66 or over, and to sure people who find themselves below 66 in receipt of qualifying funds, or who meet the medical situations for Blind Pension, and are legally residing completely within the State.

If you qualify for Free Travel and you’re married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your accomplice could at the moment journey with you without cost if you happen to meet sure standards.

If you’re below 70 and can’t journey alone for medical causes, it’s possible you’ll apply for Free Travel for a companion. This permits an individual aged 16 or over to journey with you without cost.

This new measure permits these over 70 with a sound free journey companion Public Services Card to have one other particular person, aged 16 or older, journey with them without cost.

The Free Travel Scheme permits without cost journey on public transport offered by the State. This consists of bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas. Free journey can also be out there on some providers operated by personal bus and ferry transport operators.

There are at the moment over 1.1 million folks eligible for a free journey cross. This determine will increase to over 1.9 million when companion and spousal passes are included.

For extra info on the Free Travel Scheme go to www.Gov.ie/FreeTravel.