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Use a Senior SmartPass within Northern Ireland

A Senior SmartPass is a separate card. It is used only for travel within Northern Ireland.

Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Already has Free Travel in Ireland and has been told they can apply for a Senior SmartPass, or
  • Lives near the border or visits Northern Ireland regularly, or
  • Wants to understand how a Senior SmartPass fits with their Irish Free Travel card or paper pass

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 free travel eligibility.

Quick overview

With a Senior SmartPass used under the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme you can usually:

  • Travel free of charge on most public bus and rail services within Northern Ireland operated by Translink
  • Use your card by simply tapping or showing it on each journey, depending on the service
  • Keep using your Irish Free Travel card or paper pass for travel in Ireland and on named cross border routes

To get a Senior SmartPass you must usually:

  • Already have an Irish Free Travel card or paper pass, and
  • Be aged 66 or over

Remember

For journeys that start in Ireland and finish in Northern Ireland, use your Irish Free Travel card or paper pass. These cross border rules are explained in Travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland with Free Travel.

Open each section for the details that matter to you

What a Senior SmartPass is

A Senior SmartPass is a plastic travel card used on most public bus and rail services within Northern Ireland.

  • It is part of the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme.
  • For people who qualify through Ireland, it is issued because you already have an Irish Free Travel entitlement.
  • The card is read electronically on many services. On others you may show it to the driver or staff.

Keep in mind:

  • Your Senior SmartPass is for your own use only.
  • It is not transferable to another person.
  • You must carry it with you on each journey within Northern Ireland.
Who can get a Senior SmartPass under the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme

You can normally get a Senior SmartPass if:

  • You are aged 66 or over, and
  • You already hold an Irish Free Travel card or paper pass, and
  • You want to use Free Travel within Northern Ireland as well as in Ireland

Key points:

  • The Senior SmartPass is issued to you because of your existing Irish Free Travel entitlement.
  • Only the named card holder can travel free within Northern Ireland with this card.
  • Your spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion cannot automatically travel free with you on local Northern Ireland services just because you have a Senior SmartPass.
    • Companion entitlements mainly apply to your Irish Free Travel card and to certain cross border journeys.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can bring your Irish Free Travel card or pass to Citizens Information or your local Intreo Centre and ask them to confirm this with the Free Travel Section.

Where you can use your Senior SmartPass

In general, you can use your Senior SmartPass on:

  • Most Translink bus services within Northern Ireland
  • Most Translink rail services, including trains within Northern Ireland

For example, this may include:

  • Local town and city bus routes
  • Longer distance bus services within Northern Ireland
  • Rail journeys that start and finish within Northern Ireland

Remember:

  • For cross border journeys between Ireland and Northern Ireland you normally use your Irish Free Travel card or paper pass, not your Senior SmartPass. See Travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland with Free Travel for details.
  • Some special or tourist services may not be covered. If you are unsure, ask the operator before you board.
How to apply for your first Senior SmartPass

This is a short overview. For full step-by-step instructions, see Apply for a Senior SmartPass card for Northern Ireland (FTNI1).

To apply you should:

  1. Get the FTNI1 Senior SmartPass application form
  2. Forms are available from your local Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.

  3. You cannot download this form online and you should not use a photocopy. Each form is barcoded.

  4. Fill in the form in black ink

  5. Follow the instructions on the form.

  6. Make sure all questions that apply to you are answered.

  7. Bring the form in person to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, along with:

  8. Your Irish Free Travel pass or Public Services Card with Free Travel
  9. Proof of your address, for example a gas, electricity, phone bill or bank statement
  10. Proof of your identity, for example your driving licence or passport
  11. One recent passport standard colour photograph

Your completed form will be forwarded to the authorities in Northern Ireland. They will send your Senior SmartPass card and usage information directly to your home address. It may take up to six weeks to process your application.

Keeping, renewing and replacing your Senior SmartPass

Your Senior SmartPass:

  • Is normally valid for five years
  • Shows its expiry date on the card

About three months before your card expires, Translink will usually send you a renewal application form.

If your details change. for example your name or address, you must contact Translink:

- Email. `smartpass@translink.co.uk`  
- Phone. `0044 2890 759129`

You will need to provide your name, address and Senior SmartPass number.

  • You can apply for a replacement card if it has been lost, stolen or damaged, or if you have changed your name. - See the detailed guidance in Apply for a replacement Senior SmartPass card for Northern Ireland (FTNI2).

Keep your Senior SmartPass in a safe place when you are not travelling. Treat it like any other important travel or identity card.