Free travel scheme to be extended to allow over-70s to bring companion on public transport free of charge

New measure includes bus, rail, local link, and the Luas, along with some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators

From this week, those over 70 with a valid free travel companion public services card can have another person aged 16 or older travel with them for free on all public and certain private transport services operated under the free travel scheme. File picture: Denis Minihane

An extension of the free travel scheme for those aged 70 and over, which will allow a companion to travel with them for free, begins this week.

From this week, those over 70 with a valid free travel companion public services card can have another person aged 16 or older travel with them for free on all public and certain private transport services operated under the free travel scheme. 

This includes bus, rail, local link, and the Luas, along with some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators. The move will benefit up to 525,000 recipients aged 70 and over at a cost of €4.1m this year.

The Department of Social Protection has written to all eligible people to let them know about the new entitlement, and social protection minister Dara Calleary said he hoped the measure "will give older people freedom of choice as well as greater independence and security when travelling for reasons such as medical appointments or to attend family, leisure, or cultural activities".

Dublin Airport passenger cap

Meanwhile, at Cabinet on Tuesday, transport minister Darragh O'Brien secured agreement from his Cabinet colleagues to progress primary legislation to address the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.

The Government hopes to end the long-running row over the cap by making the cap subject to primary legislation rather than planning. Airport operator Daa has repeatedly called for the 32 million passenger annual cap to be lifted, arguing that growing Dublin Airport to 40 million passengers a year is “in line with national aviation policy”.

The cap was put in place as part of the planning permission granted when Terminal 2 was being constructed. At the time, there were concerns cited about the level of traffic that constructing the new terminal would create in North Dublin.

Daa submitted an application in December 2023 to raise the passenger cap and for the development of several capacity-enhancing projects, including new piers and aircraft stands, along with a new integrated transport centre. 

In parallel with that planning application, Mr O'Brien now intends to progress a "targeted legislative solution" to address the passenger cap.