Publications

NIHRC response to the Department for Infrastructure’s consultation on Concessionary Fares

Date produced: August 2023.

Below is a summary of our recommendations and messages.

You can also download the full document through the links provided.

2.9 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure conducts a human rights impact assessment on the full range of potential options for changes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme proposed in the consultation document.

2.14 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure consider mitigations to any negative environmental impact which may result from any restrictions to the Concessionary Fares Scheme.

3.19 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure refrains from increasing the age eligibility for concessionary fares from 60+ to either 65+ or State pension age without fully assessing and mitigating the impact on affected older persons, particularly those already vulnerable to social exclusion.

3.15 The NIHRC advises that the Department for Infrastructure consider how limiting concessionary travel to off-peak times will impact on service users who provide unpaid care, and the wider impact that may have on budgets across the NI Executive Departments.

3.19 The NIHRC advises that the Department for Infrastructure does not limit concessionary fares to off-peak travel times given the disproportionate impact this will have on service users experiencing poverty. The NIHRC recommends that, should the Department decide to implement this proposal, they do so in close consultation with the service users that this most impacts on, namely older persons, disabled people and people with caring responsibilities and organisations which represent them.

3.24 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure closely consult with disabled people and relevant organisations which represent disabled people to ensure that all public transport is accessible to everyone in the community.

3.25 The NIHRC recommend that any changes made to the Concessionary Fares Scheme do not have a disproportionate impact on disabled people, and that any impact is mitigated as much as possible.

3.26 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure consider geographically where removing trains from the Concessionary Fares Scheme might have the greatest impact and consults with the local community on the best way to support service users there.

3.28 The NIHRC recommends that, should the Department for Infrastructure introduce a fee for the application, renewal and replacement of smart passes, this fee should be capped at a minimum, affordable amount and not raised without meaningful consultation with the individuals this affects, and the organisations which represent them.

4.8 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure explores extending the Concessionary Fares Scheme to include disabled people. This should be done in close consultation with disabled people and representative organisations to ensure the extension of the Scheme meets the specific needs of these individuals.

4.9 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure extends the Concessionary Fares Scheme to include companion passes for disabled service users.

4.19 The NIHRC recommends that the Department for Infrastructure explores extending the Concessionary Fares Scheme to include people seeking asylum and victims of human trafficking. This should be done in consultation with people who have experienced this, and their representative organisations.