Fianna Fáil TD and party spokesperson on Transport, Shane Moynihan, has welcomed the announcement from Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, and the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD of an extension of the Free Travel Scheme for those aged 70 and over.
From 29th September, those over 70 with a valid free travel companion Public Services Card can have another person, aged 16 or older, travel with them for free on all public and certain private transport services operated under the Free Travel scheme. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, along with some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.
This measure is expected to benefit up to 525,000 Free Travel recipients aged 70 nationwide and over at a cost of €4.1m this year.
Moynihan said: "I am delighted to welcome this significant expansion of the Free Travel Scheme, announced by Minister Dara Calleary and Minister Darragh O'Brien.
"The announcement means that everybody with a valid Free Travel Companion Public Services Card will be able to bring another person with them on their journey on all public and certain private transport services participating in the Free Travel Scheme.
"This is expected to benefit 525,000 people nationwide aged 70 and over - giving older people freedom of choice and greater independence and security when travelling.
"Fianna Fáil is working towards ensuring a fully accessible public transport system for all, and today's announcement delivers on our commitment to support our older people to live full and independent lives in their communities"
The Free Travel Scheme is currently available to everyone aged 66 or over, and to certain people who are under 66 in receipt of qualifying payments, or who meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension, and are legally living permanently in the State.
If you qualify for Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may currently travel with you for free if you meet certain criteria.
If you are under 70 and cannot travel alone for medical reasons, you may apply for Free Travel for a companion. This allows a person aged 16 or over to travel with you for free.
This new measure allows those over 70 with a valid free travel companion Public Services Card to have another person, aged 16 or older, travel with them for free.
The Free Travel Scheme allows for free travel on public transport provided by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas. Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators.
There are currently over 1.1 million people eligible for a free travel pass. This figure increases to over 1.9 million when companion and spousal passes are included.
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