As pupils prepare to return to school for a new term, Translink and the Education Authority are reminding pupils, parents and schools that new ‘tap to travel’ bus and rail smartcards will be issued for eligible school pupils and further education students.
New passes, which are used for home to school or college journeys, will be introduced in advance of the new school term in September.
Each smartcard will contain the pupil's name, boarding and alighting location, and the name of their school. For each journey, pupils and FE students will be required to electronically validate their new smartcards by tapping the card on a Translink ticket machine, reader, or gate.
The new smartcards will be distributed by schools and colleges to pupils and students in the normal way on their return to school.
Michelle Rafferty, Transport Business Manager at Translink, said:
"The new tap to travel function will help enhance the overall safety and effectiveness of bus and rail travel for schoolchildren and FE students across Northern Ireland by delivering a smoother boarding process and an overall enhanced travel experience.
“Staff working across the bus and rail network will be on hand to help pupils with any issues whilst everyone becomes familiar with the new system.”
Niall McKinley, Head of Service, Transport from the Education Authority, added:
"We know how important bus and rail travel is for school and college pupils in developing independence and in sharing the key health, social and environmental benefits of cleaner, greener and more active travel. And we welcome the introduction of the electronic validation system to help make journeys even better.
“As pupils, parents and schools get ready for the new term we’re keen to remind them of these changes and the new steps to take when starting their journeys, and we’ll continue to work closely with Translink during the back-to-school period to help everyone adapt.”
For more information and timetables, visit the Translink Schools’ pages or the use the school route finder School Services - Route Finder (translink.co.uk)