I don't want to be the one spamming your inboxes but I would like to say a huge thank you for signing this petition and sharing it with your colleagues, friends and family. This is a very important campaign and I am glad to have started this back in November 2024. 

I will be meeting with Minister Liz Kimmins MLA (Department for Infrastructure) to discuss this issue and I will stress to the Minister that this needs to be changed immediately. 

Let's remind ourselves the positives of this becoming free travel: 

• Better prospects for jobs (disabled people can work without worrying about what's coming out of their wages)
• Financial Savings for the individuals (While the cost of living is rising every year, it removes the meaning of half-fare in these smartpasses, therefore putting disabled people in a huge disadvantage) 
• Makes the journey easier for the individuals (Meaning they just tap their pass in the machine and go on to their seats)
• Makes the process quicker (Half Fare Smartpass while paying for the ticket makes it inconvenient for the individual, other passengers and even the driver)
• Better for the environment (To encourage disabled people to do their part to protect the environment and embrace public transport, this needs to be free travel for them to fully take advantage and for their participation)

I know that there is a small number of people who reject free travel for people with disabilities. While I am not the one to lecture these individuals, I would like to ask them respectfully to please keep an open mind. 

Also I would like to ask every political representatives and all political parties to please share this petition and make it known to everyone. 

Thank you all very much for reading. Thank you for all your support! I am cautiously optimistic but I am hopeful that we are in the positive end to this campaign. If changes don't happen, I will look at every possible opportunity and avenues to make this a reality.