A Monaghan Senator says that over-70's should be aware of the Free Travel Companion services provided as part of the Free Travel scheme announced as part of Budget 2025.
The Free Travel Scheme allows eligible individuals to travel for free on public transport and some private bus and ferry services.
According to Senator Robbie Gallagher, from September 2025, all people aged over 70 will be entitled to get a Free Travel Companion (FT+C) Public Services Card.
This means someone aged 70 or over can have another person, aged 16 or older, including their spouse or partner, travel with them for free on all transport services provided as part of the Free Travel scheme.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Senator Gallagher said this is an important and welcome addition to the scheme: "If you are aged 70 years or over and you currently have a Free Travel 'Personal' or 'Spouse' (FT+S) PSC, the Department of Social Protection will write to you before September 2025 to explain how you can get the Free Travel Companion (FT+C) PSC. If your PSC expires after 31 August 2025 a new PSC with FT+C (Free Travel Companion) on it will be sent to your home address. People do not need to apply. The Department has started to issue these passes from July. If your PSC has already expired or will expire before 1 September 2025, you will need to renew your PSC online or at a PSC Intreo Centre. At that point, a new pass will be sent to your home address."
