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Free Travel Pass being Scanned on Bus Eireann

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    #122
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    I was talking to a pensioner in Bray station the other day and he was giving out about why the barrier at the end of platform 2 was not left open for people with free passes. I explained about how they couldn't leave it open or anyone could walk in or out without a ticket and that the new DSP cards being issued will work to open the gates.

    He told me he had the new card but didn't use it because "what if it didn't work?", I tried to tell him it would still be accepted at the main exit then because it had his picture and the T in the corner.

    The way he was talking down using the new card I got the impression he had given it to someone else to use!

    The sooner the rollout of the new cards is completed and all bits of paper confiscated the better free travel and public transport will be for all passengers.


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    #123
    FanadMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭FanadMan


    Travelled from Galway to Letterkenny yesterday on BE. Driver was standing outside the bus with a pen to tick tickets. Showed my FTP and was just asked where I was going. No note of card/number taken, no electronic scan. Could have used my fathers card and probably nothing would be said. Mind you, the driver spent an hour or so bitching to a passenger about all the problems with BE ;)


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    #124
    IE 222
    Registered Users Posts: 1,670 ✭✭✭IE 222


    Best way around this is to charge people for it. Make a two tier system. Gone are the days we get things for free. Many people that hold these passes drive. They pay the cost associated with driving so why cant they at least pay a discounted fare on public transport. After all do they really need it if they have private transport. A deterrent to prevent abuse of the system is very much needed.

    1. Free travel for over 75's plus physically or mentally disabled people with companion if needed for travelling.

    2. Reduced travel pass, Careers, 66 - 75 years old, all other social welfare recipients of current FTP. ( possibly bring back time restrictions to prevent unnecessary use.)

    I cant see how the no.2 category cant pay at least a €2 all day travel fee or €1 per journey on Dublin bus, Luas, Dart and Bus Eireann regional/city services.

    Intercity and Express ways services should have a €5 each way charge on journeys over 30 miles.

    Fraud would drop dramatically savings will surely be in the millions. It will make for better investment in are transport services plus for the people that really need it and possibly save services that are been lost. The idea that someone can travel by bus or train free of charge from Dublin to Westport for a weekend away just cause they can is ridiculous.


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    #125
    Hibrasil
    Registered Users Posts: 392 ✭✭Hibrasil


    foggy_lad wrote: »
    I was talking to a pensioner in Bray station the other day and he was giving out about why the barrier at the end of platform 2 was not left open for people with free passes. I explained about how they couldn't leave it open or anyone could walk in or out without a ticket and that the new DSP cards being issued will work to open the gates.

    He told me he had the new card but didn't use it because "what if it didn't work?", I tried to tell him it would still be accepted at the main exit then because it had his picture and the T in the corner.

    The way he was talking down using the new card I got the impression he had given it to someone else to use!

    The sooner the rollout of the new cards is completed and all bits of paper confiscated the better free travel and public transport will be for all passengers.

    Did he still have the old free travel pass ? This would have been stamped with an expiry date of 3 to 4 weeks after he was "processed" for the new DSP card. When he was issued with the new DSP / Free Travel card he was requested to return his old Free Travel Pass to DSP Sligo. I wonder how many have not been returned.


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    #126
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    Hibrasil wrote: »
    Did he still have the old free travel pass ? This would have been stamped with an expiry date of 3 to 4 weeks after he was "processed" for the new DSP card. When he was issued with the new DSP / Free Travel card he was requested to return his old Free Travel Pass to DSP Sligo. I wonder how many have not been returned.

    He only had the old paper pass, said the new one was at home but seemed vague about using it or where it was.

    most passes issued to people who have the "cie photopass" or had passport photo taken recently etc were just posted out to them once they filled in and returned the permission form, they were not required to appear in person as the department already had their photo on file, so most will not have the "expiry" stamp on their paper pass.


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    #127
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    Googled free travel pass in Ireland and this thread came up:

    I qualified (by age) for FT last Spring. Arrived by post with no advice/explanation how to use it, only instructions how to activate the card, and while doing so the official requested me to return the previous public services card (never ever used)

    In July we decided it was time to give it a go (plus spouse card), so we went on the train, Dundalk to Dublin, easy and simple, IE ticket issued.

    In September I went to Dublin on BE expressway, and on entering the coach handed the pass to the driver who looked at it for a second or so and gestured to go ahead. On the return journey I did the same and and the driver looked at me like I was an idiot, took the card off me and placed it on his ticket machine (well, I think it was his ticket machine) before giving it back to me and indicating to go ahead.

    In November I drove to Portmarnock for the FAI Cup final, but there was no one in the ticket booth, so not having a clue what to do I bought a ticket from the machine using my credit card. I still don't know what do do in these circumstances. What do you do at a Dart station when there's no one there?

    In December, pre Christmas, we (spouse) hopped on the Luas from Jervis to Connolly but didn't know what to do - so this time we did nothing.
    I read on these posts I should have 'tagged' or something but if you get no information........?

    We hope to travel to Limerick in March to see friends, as the ticket will be a through one, do we just get on the Luas at Connolly without this 'tagging'?

    Neither of us has ever been on Dublin bus so If (unlikely) we ever do give it a lash we will probably feel like right lemmings.

    I learned more on here in 15 mins that I did in the 9 months I have the pass, and yes we would have made those trips anyway, but by car.

    Fwiw, I do think a subsidised charge could be made, maybe €2 for bus journeys (x people) and €5 for train (ie Dundalk to Limerick = 2 journeys x 2 people x 2 returns €40. (I am excluding the Luas part) Or could just leave it at €10 per day if it was thought excessive. Just a thought. (And excluding DB)


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    #128
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,303 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Joey, take a look here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/How-do-I-use-my-Free-Travel-Pass.aspx - what they say isn't quite right, but it'll give you an idea.

    Luas: https://www.luas.ie/tonoff-pscft-oct2015/

    Irish Rail: http://www.irishrail.ie/contact-us/faqs?i=4259

    Dublin Bus: https://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/How-to-use-the-bus/Step-2/ (last paragraph)

    I've sent emails to the others, asking for information.


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    #129
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    For Bus Eireann if there is a ticket machine with a leap card reader then you place your FTP on the reader and state your destination the same as if it were a leap card. The machine checks that the card is valid and you can then go ahead. If there is no card reader you show your card to the driver and state your destination.

    For Dart you can use the ticket gates the same as if you were using a leap card, hold your FTP against the target area at the barriers and it checks the card is valid and opens the gate.

    For all other services you must get a ticket at the booking office and use that ticket in the slot to enter and exit through the barriers.

    For Dublin bus you just press the FTP against the reader on the right hand side as you enter or use the drivers card reader if you require a ticket for spouse or companion, state your destination to the driver and which ticket you require.


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    #130
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    Thanks Victor and Foggy Lad, lot of good information there.


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    #131
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    Some more information:

    http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/HowToUseYourPublicServicesCardForFreeTravel.pdf

    http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/Public-Services-Card-Free-Travel-FAQ.pdf


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    #132
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,303 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    The official leaflet. You should have received one with your card.


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    #133
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    Thanks for that Victior, I can say categorically that I never recieived that leaflet. The FT pass was glued to an A4 letter, which gave a number to active the card. No information, no advice. Nada. Thanks to Foggy Lad and yourself I learned (I know that learnt can also be used ) a lot on here.


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    #134
    FanadMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭FanadMan


    joeysoap wrote: »
    Thanks for that Victior, I can say categorically that I never recieived that leaflet. The FT pass was glued to an A4 letter, which gave a number to active the card. No information, no advice. Nada. Thanks to Foggy Lad and yourself I learned (I know that learnt can also be used ) a lot on here.

    I just got the same as you Joey - card stuck to an A4 sheet. No instructions for use other than activation.


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    #135
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    http://pca.st/IOQY

    "They're using it as a travelling bar"

    BE driver on Liveline today. Seems like the companion privilege should be severely curtailed.


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    #136
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    ED E wrote: »
    http://pca.st/IOQY

    "They're using it as a travelling bar"

    BE driver on Liveline today. Seems like the companion privilege should be severely curtailed.

    My auntie and husband (each have a companion pass being over 70) befriended an American couple on the Belfast Dublin train
    When they discovered that they were all 4 going to Galway from Hueston the Yanks became their "companion" on the Luas connection as well as the Intercity train
    Unbelievable


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    #137
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    ED E wrote: »
    http://pca.st/IOQY

    "They're using it as a travelling bar"

    BE driver on Liveline today. Seems like the companion privilege should be severely curtailed.

    *The guy living in Florida with the free travel pass says it all. (along with the previous post with 'companions' to Galway.

    * what's the odds of him having one of the old paper passes?


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    #138
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    ED E wrote: »
    http://pca.st/IOQY

    "They're using it as a travelling bar"

    BE driver on Liveline today. Seems like the companion privilege should be severely curtailed.

    If you have a companion pass it means you are either over 70, or your under 70 and your GP has certified that you can't travel alone, and this is agreed by the SW medical officer .
    Anyone over the age of 16 can accompany you on any journey .
    That eejit of a bus driver is making out that everyone has a companion pass, they don't.
    And those under 70 that have it, need it.
    And he knows that.


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    #139
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    Not 100% accurate. I have a friend who occasionally travelled to Dublin as a companion, they parted in Connolly and met up in Connolly for the return.
    Hasn't done it in recent times as the other lad moved

    1.2 million free travel passes is pretty awesome for a country of less than 5m people.


    And NI pensioners over 65 are entitled to free travel here as well.

    http://borderpeople.info/a-z/free-travel-scheme-for-senior-citizens-in-northern-ireland.html


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    #140
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    joeysoap wrote: »
    Not 100% accurate. I have a friend who occasionally travelled to Dublin as a companion, they parted in Connolly and met up in Connolly for the return.
    Hasn't done it in recent times as the other lad moved

    1.2 million free travel passes is pretty awesome for a country of less than 5m people.


    And NI pensioners over 65 are entitled to free travel here as well.

    http://borderpeople.info/a-z/free-travel-scheme-for-senior-citizens-in-northern-ireland.html

    What do you allege is not 100% accurate?


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    #141
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


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    #142
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    This bit I suspect.

    Well that's factual.
    Over 70s only have to be over 70
    Everyone else has to have a GP sign off on the form, and even then the SW medical officer might disagree and refuse the application
    Here's the 2 application forms. Look for yourself

    http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/compft_70.pdf

    http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/compft1.pdf


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    #143
    joeysoap
    Registered Users Posts: 6,238 ✭✭✭joeysoap


    This bit

    And those under 70 that have it, need it.

    Maybe in the majority of cases but not 100%


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    #144
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    joeysoap wrote: »
    This bit

    And those under 70 that have it, need it.

    Maybe in the majority of cases but not 100%

    Well if both a GP and the SW medical officer, who has no dog in the race, agree that the claimant DOES need a companion, I don't know what grounds you, who know NOTHING about them, have to disagree


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    #145
    n97 mini
    Registered Users Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    The lady on that clip, Una I think was her name, is confusing free travel with travel. Sure, people need to get out and about and socialise, but 90 of them are hotelling it for 5 nights in Galway in February, travelling down and back by train. They don't need free travel for that, they just need travel, and if they can afford 5 nights in a hotel they can afford to pay for the train ticket as well.


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    #146
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    infogiver wrote: »
    Well if both a GP and the SW medical officer, who has no dog in the race, agree that the claimant DOES need a companion, I don't know what grounds you, who know NOTHING about them, have to disagree

    If you listen to the podcast you'll see a young woman with epilepsy didnt even apply for the card and yet got one with companion. That means they're being blanket issued based on the illness certified for disability payment.

    The 1.2M figure is crazy. There may be a process thats meant to happen but no way its actually happening.


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    #147
    infogiver
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭infogiver


    ED E wrote: »
    If you listen to the podcast you'll see a young woman with epilepsy didnt even apply for the card and yet got one with companion. That means they're being blanket issued based on the illness certified for disability payment.

    The 1.2M figure is crazy. There may be a process thats meant to happen but no way its actually happening.

    When you are awarded invalidity pension or disability allowance or Carers allowance or come to 66 you don't have to apply for free travel
    It comes automatically
    Very few people actually have to apply
    If that girls application for disability allowance or invalidity pension was awarded on the grounds of her having epilepsy then she would automatically be given a companion pass.
    It makes sense
    I've already posted links to the 2 companion pass application forms,
    You should look at them to understand the process for most people who don't have chronic or life limiting conditions


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    #148
    bigredone
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭bigredone


    As a driver for DB i can tell you that around 80%+ of FTP holders can bring a Spouse/Companion.


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    #149
    bigredone
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭bigredone


    infogiver wrote: »
    My auntie and husband (each have a companion pass being over 70) befriended an American couple on the Belfast Dublin train
    When they discovered that they were all 4 going to Galway from Hueston the Yanks became their "companion" on the Luas connection as well as the Intercity train
    Unbelievable

    Something similar happens on DB all the time, a passenger will be just about to pay and someone will say " driver i have a pass they are with me".


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    #150
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


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    #151
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users Posts: 11,907 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    bigredone wrote: »
    As a driver for DB i can tell you that around 80%+ of FTP holders can bring a Spouse/Companion.

    Correct. A card issued to either of a couple will be marked FT + S.


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