Dublin Bus and the Department of Social & Family Affairs(DSFA) have lifted time restrictions for all DSFA Free Travel Pass Holders. So now, Free Travel Pass Holders can travel whenever and wherever they wish.

More than 600,000 customers are in receipt of the Free Travel scheme, of which 430,000 are aged over 66 years. Some 145,000 are in receipt of an invalidity/disability type payment and a further 25,000 are carers.

The peak time access restrictions have applied up to now on all Dublin Bus services and on Bus Éireann city services in Cork and Limerick.

Up to now the rules had specified that access to these services for Free Travel pass holders was restricted on Monday to Friday from 7 am to 9 am and from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. There have also been restrictions on Friday evening travel from 4 pm to 7 pm within a 20 mile radius of Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

The lifting of all travel restrictions at peak times will benefit tens of thousands of people, particularly older people and those with disabilities, who up to now have been severely curtailed in the times they have been allowed to travel in the main cities, and surrounding areas, on public transport services. It is also a recognition that many eligible Free Travel people, especially those with disabilities, are becoming increasingly more active in the workforce and in availing of other activities that are contributing to creating a more tolerant and more enlightened society.



The Free Travel Scheme is available to persons aged 66 years or over who are permanently resident in the State, and to all carers in receipt of Carers Allowance. The scheme is also available to certain people with disabilities and people who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

Current annual expenditure on the scheme is some €58.3 million