Bus passes: What is happening with over-60s travel in NI?

Free bus and train passes for over-60s are staying in Northern Ireland – but there is concern about a new fee for first-time applicants.

The fee, thought to be about £20, was announced by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd.

It came after a public consultation last summer, in which the Department for Infrastructure asked the public if eligibility rules should change.

For more than 15 years, Stormont has funded free public transport for all over-60s, regardless of their income, to alleviate social exclusion.

But since then, the cost of providing the service has risen significantly, as has the percentage of the population over 60 who qualify for a SmartPass.

For Victor Murphy, the joint chair of trade union Unison’s Retired Members’ Forum, the pass’ retention was a “good decision” but the application fee is not.

“We have the highest rate of pension poverty in the UK and quite a few will find it difficult to pay that,” he said.

“There should not be a fee.”

Mr Murphy was one of a number who protested outside the Department for Infrastructure last year during the public consultation.