Over 340,000 people aged 60+hold a SmartPass in Northern Ireland. The SmartPass (Concessionary Fares) scheme enables people over 60, or those with eligible disabilities, to access public transport for free in Northern Ireland. This scheme is now facing major cuts. The Department for Infrastructure intends to:

• Raise the age limit to 65 instead of 60; cutting tens of thousands of people off the scheme altogether.
• Remove free access to rail transport and limit usage of the Smartpass to bus-only.
• Restrict usage at peak times i.e. SmartPass holders will not be able to avail of free transport in the mornings before 9.30am.
• Introduce Application, Renewal, and Replacement fees.  

Our senior citizens have spent their entire lives working and paying taxes, a free ticket for a bus or a train is a small price to pay in return for their lifelong contribution to society. These cuts will make it much harder for many elderly and disabled people to access public transport, especially those in rural areas. We must oppose these austerity cuts to ensure that public transport remains accessible for all!

Please sign this petition to let the Department for Infrastructure know that we will not accept these cuts!

Also please consider taking part in the following consultation: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-changes-concessionary-fares-scheme?fbclid=IwAR05qDTLRLZrT9DbAprur97nburL0byHtyLagq3Oh2_aHOj2Mef0C_hcdfs