Thinking about getting out with a spinal cord injury?

Unfortunately, people’s experience of public transport is different depending on where they live. Some urban areas have excellent, regular, accessible public transport options, while some smaller towns and rural areas have very limited or no options.

Free Travel Scheme for people with spinal cord injuries

If you are eligible for the free travel scheme, you will receive free travel on most stateowned public transport like bus, rail and LUAS. However, some private bus operators also accept Free Travel cards. To find which private bus operators, check in with your local DSP office.

 Free travel is available if you are permanently living in the state and:

  • Are getting Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or an Invalidity Pension from the Department of Social Protection
  • Have been getting Incapacity Supplement or Workmen’s Compensation with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months.
  • Are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance from the Department.
  • Are getting a social security invalidity payment, or similar payment, from another EU member state or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months.
  • If you are registered for a Public Services Card, you will get a Free Travel Card automatically when you are awarded an Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.
  • In all other circumstances, you must apply for free travel by completing a Free Travel application form FT1. You can get this through the Free Travel Section of Social Welfare Services in Sligo. Tel: 071 915 71 00 / 1890 50 00 00 or download an application form on welfare.ie

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