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Taking the pinch out of travel
Whether it’s going to work or a trip into town, getting out and about can be expensive. Filling our cars with petrol and diesel can make a big dent in the household budget and our bus and train fares have gone up as well. Here are the Consumer Council’s top tips for making sure getting from A to B isn’t a big pain in your pocket.
Car Share
- Team up with colleagues and friends to split the cost of motoring and ease congestion. Some work places have their own car share schemes. Visit www.carshareni.com for more information.
Walk or Cycle
- Consider walking or cycling shorter journeys. It’s cheap, good for the environment and your health.
Public Transport
There are a range of discount offers available on public transport:
- Multi journey tickets– Smartlink cards, weekly tickets or monthly tickets are cheaper than buying the equivalent single or return tickets. Smartlink cards can be used on Ulsterbus or Metro services and save around 25 per cent on the cash fare. Train passengers can save around 20 per cent if they buy a weekly ticket compared to five return tickets. Visit www.translink.co.uk for more information.
- Discount Cards - If you’re aged 16–21 and travel regularly by train, a Rail Discount Card can save you 20 per cent on weekly and monthly season tickets. It costs £7 and is valid for a full calendar year.
- Senior Smartpass – There are two types: The 60 Plus Smartpass for those aged 60 to 64 and the Senior Smartpass for over 65s. Both offer free travel throughout Northern Ireland on any Translink bus or rail service but the Senior Smartpass also offers free cross border travel. (You must have been a resident for a minimum of three months in Northern Ireland to be eligible for both).
- Half–Fare SmartPass -gives 50 per cent off the standard adult single fare on scheduled bus and rail services in Northern Ireland. You are only entitled if you meet certain criteria, for example if you are refused a driving license on medical grounds. Pick up an application form from your local bus or rail Station, Social Security Office, Health and Social Services Trust or Driving and Vehicle Agency (DVA) or phone 0845 600 0049.
For more information or to share your money-saving tip with others, contact us on 0800 121 6022 or www.consumercouncil.org.uk
