The Transport for Ireland website provides general information on how people with mobility difficulties can travel safely to, from and within Ireland. Links to other websites, which provide more detailed information, are also provided.

Accessible travel is an on-going endeavour to ensure all operators provide safe, accessible and friendly access to all its passengers, regardless of their mobility difficulties, age or disabilities. It is now possible to map out your journey before you depart. The TFI Journey Planner is Ireland’s only door-to-door route planner and the service also highlights if the mode of transport is wheelchair accessible.

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The Minister’s policy in relation to public transport, including accessible public transport, can be viewed on the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s website.

Links to Accessibility information on Transport Operators websites:

Travelling to and from Ireland – by Ferry

European Regulation 1177/2010 on the Rights of Passengers Travelling by Sea and Inland Waterways, came into effect on 18 December 2012.

The Regulation applies to vessels certified to carry more than 12 passengers and operated by a European Union Carrier. It includes points on non-discrimination and assistance for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. This includes an obligation to:

  • Provide assistance at ports or harbours and on board ships;
  • Carry recognised assistance dogs (subject to national regulations);
  • Carry mobility equipment (such as wheelchairs) free of charge; and
  • Provide information in accessible formats.

Statutory Instrument No. 394 of 2012 designates the National Transport Authority as the national enforcement body for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No. 1177/2010 in Ireland.

Ferries and Ferry Ports

Ferry companies operating to and from Ireland use ships that are accessible to people with mobility difficulties. If you need help with getting on or off you should give the ferry company as much notice as possible so that they can make arrangements.

Ferry Companies

Ferry Port and Harbour Companies

A number of private vessel operators provide public transport and tourist services in Ireland but not all of these services are accessible to people with mobility difficulties. You can get more information by clicking on the following links:

Passenger boats (12 passengers or less) or ships (more than 12 passengers) in Ireland are required to hold a current valid licence or certificate issued by the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

For more information please see the NTA website.

Travelling to and from Ireland – by Airplane

Airlines & Airports

Under European legislation (Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006), disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should not be refused carriage by air on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility, except for reasons that are justified on the grounds of safety and are prescribed by law.

Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility are entitled to receive the assistance specified in the Regulation free of charge at the airport as well as on board aircraft.

In Ireland the Commission for Aviation Regulation is the National Enforcement Body for the Regulation. The Commission has launched a website called Flightrights that includes details for disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air.

When booking flights, disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should give airlines at least 48 hours notice of their particular needs to enable the airlines and airports to make the necessary arrangements.

Airlines

Airports

Travelling in Ireland – by Rail

Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations gives disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility the following rights:

  • Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the right to non-discriminatory access to transport, at no additional charge, when buying a ticket or making a booking;
  • Upon request, disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility shall be provided with information concerning the accessibility of rail services and trains;
  • Rail undertakings and station managers shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that trains and other rail services are accessible;
  • Rail undertakings and station managers shall make all reasonable efforts to provide assistance free of charge on board trains and at staffed stations; to guarantee assistance under good conditions, passengers are requested to comply with certain provisions (e.g. 48 hours’ notice before departure);
  • Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the right to compensation if the rail undertaking is responsible for the loss or damage of mobility equipment.

In Ireland the National Transport Authority is the National Enforcement Body for the Regulation.

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail operates city and commuter services in Dublin and Cork, as well as intercity services throughout Ireland.

You can call Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail on (01) 8366 222 (Monday – Friday 08:30hrs – 18:00hrs excluding public holidays) or contact your local station if you require assistance on Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail services. More information is available on the Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail website.

Luas – Dublin’s Light Rail Tram System

Each tram makes audio announcements and has electronic displays so you can tell where you are on your journey.

All Luas trams and stops are wheelchair-accessible and there are designated parking spaces for people with disabilities. There are lifts at any stops that have been built in a cutting or on an elevated track.

To facilitate access, each tram has a low floor and level threshold with a minimal gap between the floor of the tram and the edge of the platform.

There are two designated spaces per tram, which can cater for up to 4 wheelchair users. There are signs indicating that these spaces are for wheelchair users. There is also enough space in the entry and exit areas on the trams for additional wheelchair users.

 

 

Travelling in Ireland – by Bus

European Regulation 181/2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport came into effect on 1st March 2013. It includes points on non-discrimination and assistance for people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Public transport bus services in Ireland are provided by both State-owned and private transport operators.

Bus Companies

Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland provides bus services within Dublin city as well as to and from the surrounding areas. Bus Éireann operates intercity coach services together with commuter services in the cities of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. It also provides services on a network of routes throughout Ireland as well as commuter services in some large towns. TFI Local Link provides local public transport in rural areas throughout Ireland were other services are limited. These bus services are low cost and available for anyone wishing to travel  to or from their local town, village or parish.

All four are obliged to provide services to people with disabilities.

Other Bus Companies

A number of private operators also provide public transport bus services in Ireland but not all of these services are accessible to people with mobility difficulties. You can get more information by clicking on the following links:

Rural Transport Programme (RTP)

TFI Local Link provides local public transport in rural areas throughout Ireland were other services are limited. These bus services are low cost and available for anyone wishing to travel  to or from their local town, village or parish.

The aim of TFI Local Link is to address rural social exclusion and integrate bus services where possible with Bus Éireann and Iarnrod Éireann networks.

Local Link’s key objective, as outlined in their Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022, is to ensure the provision of fully accessible transport services on all services with a target to achieve at least 95% fully accessible trips by 2020 within the Rural Transport Programme.

As of 2019, 80% of all Local Link buses are fully accessible.

Specialised Accessible Transport Services

The following companies provide accessible transport Dial-a-Ride services for people with disabilities together with ageing and older people with mobility impairments, who are unable to access public transport because of the severity or nature of their impairments:

For more information please see the NTA website.

Travelling in Ireland – by Taxi

Types of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

There are two types – Taxis and Hackneys.

Taxis and Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

Taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis are public hire vehicles. Their licence and licensing requirements allow them to stand for hire at a rank (taxi ranks at airports, train and bus stations) and they can also be hailed on the street. The vehicle is equipped with a taximeter to ensure the maximum fare charged is within regulations. Fares less than the metered value are of course possible.

Hackneys and Wheelchair Accessible Hackneys

Hackneys and wheelchair accessible hackneys are different in that they are private hire vehicles. They do not have taximeters and the key difference is that the journey must be pre-booked, i.e. fare and trip agreed in advance, hence no need for the taximeter. They cannot stand for hire at a rank anywhere nor ply for hire, i.e. they cannot take fares from the public on the street.

The National Transport Authority has created a register of all Wheelchair Accessible Taxis throughout the country. This is to enable improved access to this specialised service for people with disabilities.

You can call the Information Line on 0761 064000 and request contact information for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle service that operates within your area. If you are calling from outside Ireland please phone + 353 761 064000.

You can also e-mail the Authority at taxis@nationaltransport.ie

As of November 2019, Transport for Ireland along with Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Local Link and Luas are JAM Card friendly. The Jam Card assists customers using the public transport system and makes their experience as stress-free as possible.

JAM Card allows people with a communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.

The JAM Card© was created by NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future, and their service users told them that they would like a way to relay to people that they need a little extra time or patience.

For more information please see JAM Card.

 

The Blue Badge Scheme / Disabled Parking Permit

If you have been issued with a disabled persons’ parking permit (commonly referred to as the Blue Parking Card or Blue Badge), then you can use it here as long as it contains the recognised symbol of a person sitting in a wheelchair. It allows you to use the designated disabled parking spaces provided on street. There is no need to display a time clock when you use your Blue Badge in Ireland.

Remember, a Blue Badge is not a license to park anywhere.

You still have to obey the rules of the road and should not park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users.

The parking card scheme for disabled drivers and passengers applies to public car parking areas only. However, many supermarkets and shopping centres designate specific bays for disabled persons’ parking.

In Ireland, disabled persons’ parking permits (Blue Badge) may be issued by local authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association. The permits have national application. Permits are granted to eligible disabled persons and may be issued to a disabled person who is a driver or to a disabled person who is a passenger. The form of the permit allows for its recognition in other EU member states.

Hire of Adapted Vehicles

For information on the hire of vehicles with adaptations for disabled drivers / passengers please contact the Irish Wheelchair Association or Motability Ireland.

Further Information

The Travel Assistance Scheme is run by Dublin Bus within the Greater Dublin Area. Its aim is to help passengers use public transport on their own, especially those with disabilities and reduced mobility. The scheme is open to all over the age of eighteen.

A travel assistant can accompany you the first few times you travel and offer helpful advice on how to plan your journey using Dublin Bus, Luas and DART services. Go-Ahead Ireland are also members of the Travel Assistance Scheme. Email customercomment@dublinbus.ie or customercomment@goaheadireland.ie for further information on how to use the scheme.

If you have a concessionary fare pass from another country, it will not work here. The only exception is the all-Ireland free travel scheme for people over 65 who live in Northern Ireland. Free travel is available to everyone permanently living in Ireland that is aged 66 and over. Certain people under that age are also entitled to free travel.

Free travel is available on all State public transport (bus, rail and Dublin’s LUAS service), with some exceptions, and is also available on a limited number of services operated by private bus transport operators.

In some cases a Free Travel Companion Card is available, which allows a person to travel with the holder (if they are unable to travel alone). If you qualify for free travel, you will be issued with a pass that you must carry with you when using public transport. Free travel passes can only be used by the named person and are issued by the Department of Social Protection.

More information about the Free Travel Scheme can be found here.

Travelling with a Guide Dog

Guide dogs and assistance dogs accompanying passengers are permitted to travel on all public transport services across the TFI network free of charge and without restriction. An Assistance dog must be clearly identifiable either by coat or harness to distinguish it as a working dog and not a pet.

Information is available from the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The Transport for Ireland (TFI)  ‘Baby on Board’ badge is available across the following public transport operators:

  • Bus Éireann;
  • Dublin Bus;
  • Go-Ahead Ireland;
  • Luas; and
  • Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail.

Aimed at expectant mothers, this ‘Baby on Board’ badge offers women a discreet, convenient and universal means of communicating the message that they may be in greater need of a seat during their commute. You can order a free badge simply by emailing info@nationaltransport.ie with a delivery address and one will be posted out to you. No other personal information is required.

Alternatively, this free of charge badge is available for collection at the following public transport locations:

Dublin

  • Dublin Bus, O’Connell St, Dublin
  • Connolly Station, Dublin
  • Heuston Station, Dublin
  • Luas, Red Cow Depot, Dublin
  • Luas, Broombridge Depot, Dublin
  • Luas, Sandyford Depot, Dublin
  • Pearse Station, Dublin

 

Wheelchair Repairs

For information on companies that provide wheelchair repairs please contact the Irish Wheelchair Association.

International Travel

It is important to be well prepared when planning a journey abroad. Ensure that you have all the information about your trip (and for all parts of your journey) before you book your ticket. There are many sources of information available through your travel agent, transport operator or station, airport or port. Information for Irish Citizens wishing to travel abroad is available here.

Advisory Bodies

For further information on accessible transport in Ireland you can contact one or more of the following organisations:

Comments

Hopefully you will have a trouble free time travelling to, from or within Ireland.

If you do have any problems you should contact the transport operator directly. If you are not happy with the result of your complaint, you can contact the Office of the Ombudsman.