Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said plans had been derailed by a Translink “systems upgrade”
Free public transport for people with disabilities could be rolled out in Northern Ireland in the future, with Stormont officials “actively working” on it.
That’s according to the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who was asked about it by the Foyle MLA Mark Durkan.
Mr Durkan pointed to Manchester, where people with disabilities were recently told bus travel would now be free with a ‘concessionary travel pass’.
The SDLP MLA had written to the Minister to ask if she would consider expanding free bus travel to include all disabled people and those aged over 60.
The Minister replied: “In June 2023, the Department ran a 12-week public consultation on changes to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme. In recognition of the very real benefits of the Scheme for disabled people, the consultation included an option to extend half fare travel to free travel and sought views on other changes to make the Scheme more accessible for disabled people.
“Although public support for these options was strong, unfortunately, due to the severe financial pressures facing the Department, changes which would increase the cost of the Scheme could not be implemented at that time.
“While the budgetary outlook has not changed, I had planned to reconsider the option to extend half fare travel to free travel again, as part of my budget allocations decisions in this financial year but due to a systems upgrade in Translink it was not possible.”
She added: “My officials are actively working in close collaboration with Translink to consider how this policy could be implemented, should budget be available.”
Mr Durkan, meanwhile, said: “We’ve seen this delivered elsewhere, most recently Transport for Greater Manchester have implemented free passes for those with a disability. Following that move, I asked the Minister to reconsider the possibility of a similar provision here.
While the Minister has said that it hasn’t yet been possible to extend free travel, I remain hopeful. I’ve been advised that officials are actively working on the policy and I’ll continue to push until it becomes a reality.”
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