Skip to content

Renew or replace your Free Travel card or pass

You can renew or replace a Free Travel card or pass that is:

  • Close to its expiry date, or
  • Lost, stolen or badly damaged
Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Has a Public Services Card (PSC) with Free Travel, or
  • Has an older paper Free Travel pass, or
  • Has a Senior SmartPass for travel within Northern Ireland

Note

This page offers plain language guidance. It is not a legal document. Only the Department of Social Protection (DSP) can make an official decision about a free travel application.

Before you begin

Try to have these details to hand:

  • Your PPS Number
  • Your full name and address
  • The type of Free Travel you have, for example:
  • PSC with Free Travel
  • Paper Free Travel pass
  • Senior SmartPass
  • A note of when and how the card or pass was lost, stolen or damaged, if relevant
  • Any recent letter or form about your Free Travel or SmartPass

Steps

Choose the steps that match your situation.

1. If you use a Public Services Card (PSC) with Free Travel

Use this section if you normally show a Public Services Card (PSC) with a Free Travel symbol when you travel.

Renew an expiring PSC with Free Travel

  1. Check the expiry date

    • Look at the front of your PSC and note the expiry date.
    • If the card is already expired, or will expire within the next few weeks, you should arrange a renewal as soon as you can.

  2. Arrange your renewal

    • Follow the guidance you received when your PSC was issued, or use the general information on renewing a PSC with Free Travel.
    • Allow 7 to 10 working days for a new card to reach you once the renewal is processed.

  3. While you are waiting

    • Public transport operators are temporarily allowing some customers with an expired Free Travel PSC to continue using services up to 28 February 2026.
    • You should still renew the card as soon as possible so you are covered when this arrangement ends.

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged PSC with Free Travel

  1. Contact the Free Travel Section as soon as you can

    Explain that your PSC with Free Travel has been:

    • Lost
    • Stolen, or
    • Damaged or badly worn

    Be ready to give:

    • Your name and PPS Number
    • Your address
    • What happened to the card
    • Whether you need it urgently for regular travel

  2. Follow the instructions you are given

    Depending on your situation, you may be asked to:

    • Confirm your details by phone or in writing
    • Visit an Intreo Centre to update your PSC details
    • Provide proof of address if it has changed
    • Return the damaged card before a replacement is issued, if it is still readable

  3. Wait for your replacement card

    When the department has the information it needs, staff will usually:

    • Arrange for a replacement PSC with Free Travel to be produced
    • Post it to the address they hold for you, or explain where you can collect it

    Travel staff may ask to see:

    • Your new PSC with Free Travel, and
    • Another piece of ID, if there is any doubt about identity

Why renewing or reporting quickly matters

Your PSC with Free Travel is for your personal use only.
If it is out of date, or if someone else is using it, the department may investigate misuse and refuse or review your Free Travel.

2. If you use a paper Free Travel pass

Some people still have an older paper Free Travel pass.

Renewing a paper pass

Paper Free Travel passes are no longer being issued as a long term option.
If your paper pass is close to expiry, the department may advise you to register for a PSC with Free Travel instead of renewing the paper pass.

  1. Check the pass you have

    • Note the type of pass and any codes on it.
    • Check the expiry date, if there is one.

  2. Contact the Free Travel Section

    • Explain that you have a paper Free Travel pass that is expiring.
    • Ask whether it will be renewed, or whether you should move to a PSC with Free Travel.
    • Follow the instructions you are given.

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged paper pass

  1. Contact the Free Travel Section

    When you report that the pass is:

    • Lost
    • Stolen, or
    • Torn, badly worn or no longer readable

    Staff will tell you whether you will be:

    • Issued another paper pass, or
    • Asked to complete SAFE registration and move to a PSC with Free Travel

  2. Return the damaged pass if you still have it

    • You may be asked to post it back in an envelope they send you, or
    • Return it to an address they give you over the phone

    Make sure your name and PPS Number are included so they can match the pass to your record.

3. If you have a Senior SmartPass for Northern Ireland

This section is for Senior SmartPass cards used on most local bus and rail services within Northern Ireland.

Renew an expiring Senior SmartPass

  1. Check when your SmartPass expires

    • A Senior SmartPass is normally valid for five years.
    • The expiry date is printed on the card.

  2. Look out for your renewal form

    • About three months before your card expires, Translink usually posts you a renewal application form.
    • Follow the instructions on the form and return it as directed.

  3. If your details have changed

    • If your name or address has changed, you must tell Translink.
    • Contact them at:
      • Email. smartpass@translink.co.uk
      • Phone. 0044 2890 795129
    • You will normally need to give your name, address and SmartPass number.

  4. If you do not receive a renewal form

    • If the card is close to expiry and you have not received a form, contact Translink and ask what to do.

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged Senior SmartPass

If your Senior SmartPass is lost, stolen or damaged you usually use the FTNI2 replacement form.

  1. Get the FTNI2 replacement form You can usually get the form from:

    • A Translink office or SmartPass issuing point in Northern Ireland, or
    • The place where you first applied for your Senior SmartPass.

    If you are unsure where to get it, you can: - Ask Translink staff, or
    - Contact the Free Travel Section in Ireland and mention that you need the FTNI2 replacement SmartPass form.

  2. Fill in the FTNI2 form

    On the form you will usually be asked for:

    • Your name and address
    • Your date of birth
    • Your PPS Number
    • Details of your lost, stolen or damaged card

    Follow all instructions on the form carefully.
    Use block capitals and write one character per box where shown.

    For more detailed help, you can also use the topic:
    Apply for a replacement Senior SmartPass card for Northern Ireland (FTNI2).

  3. Return the completed FTNI2 form

    • Send or hand in the form as directed, usually to a Translink SmartPass office or another address printed on the form.
    • You may be asked to return the damaged SmartPass if you still have it.
    • In some cases you may be asked to sign a declaration that the old card is lost or stolen.

    When the form is processed, a replacement Senior SmartPass card will be issued.

  4. If you do not receive a renewal form

    • If the card is close to expiry and you have not received a form, contact Translink and ask what to do.

Result

When you follow the steps that apply to you:

  • Your old card or pass will be cancelled or taken out of use
  • You will be issued with a renewed or replacement Free Travel card or pass, as long as you still qualify
  • You can continue to use Free Travel once the new card or pass arrives

If you are waiting for a replacement or renewal and need to make an urgent journey, staff at:

  • Citizens Information
  • Your local Intreo Centre
  • The Free Travel Section

may be able to advise you on what to do in the meantime.

If you need help

If you need help to arrange a renewal or replacement, you or a support person can:

  • Bring any letters or copies of forms to a Citizens Information Centre or Intreo Centre and ask staff to talk through your options with you
  • Contact the Free Travel Section by:
    • Email. freetravelqueries@welfare.ie
    • Phone. 0818 200 400 or 071 915 7100

Bring this page with you, or show it on your phone, so staff can see which type of card or pass you are asking about.