To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail when she will review her Department's policy on concessionary fares, taking into account the desirability of (i) free travel for disabled people; and (ii) reduced or zero fares for young people, at least outside peak hours.

The NI Concessionary Fares Consultation ran from 1st June 2023 to 24th August 2023 and included an option which would extend free travel for those currently receiving a half fare concession due to a qualifying disability

Although public support for this option was strong (with over 80% of respondents in favour of the change), unfortunately, due to the severe financial pressures facing the Department due to over a decade of cuts and austerity by the British Government, changes which would increase the cost of the Scheme could not be implemented at that time.

While the budgetary outlook has not changed, I will reconsider this option again.

Although I currently have no plans to introduce free travel for young people, I will be considering fares as a whole and the incentivisation of public transport. Additionally, a number of discounted fares are already available. Translink currently offer half fare to those age 5-16. From age 16-23 Translink offer a yLink card which is a commercial product to encourage young people to use public transport. The scheme entitles them to 50% discount on bus and rail fares in Northern Ireland and on Enterprise cross border services.