The Transport for Ireland website provides general information on how people with disabilities 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 age or various 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.
The Minister for Transport 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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
In Ireland the National Transport Authority is the National Enforcement Body for the Regulation.
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.
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.
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.
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. All Bus Éireann City and Town services have low-floor buses and are 100% wheelchair accessible. To reserve accessible transport on a Regional Bus Éireann PSO service, passengers must contact 0818 836 611 (or +353 1 836 6111 if calling from outside of the Republic of Ireland) at least 24 hours in advance of travel. Bus Éireann stations have accessible features. 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.
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:
TFI Local Link provides a nationwide bus service in rural areas around Ireland.
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.
TFI 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.
90% of all TFI Local Link buses are fully accessible. It is advised you call in advance of your journey if you wish to book a wheelchair space.
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.
There are two types – Taxis and Hackneys.
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.
VISIT HERE for the List per county of the Wheelchair accessible vehicles
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 0818 064 000 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
The majority of TFI bus services are low floor. These are accessible for wheelchairs and have a designated wheelchair space.
On Dublin Bus services, wheelchairs can be accommodated up to a size of 70cm wide and 120cm long and does not require booking in advance. All buses will stop if there is a wheelchair user at the bus stop.
The Bus Éireann fleet that operates on City and Town services is 100% wheelchair accessible and does not require booking in advance.
To reserve accessible transport on a Regional PSO service, intending passengers must contact us on 0818 836 611 (or +353 1 836 6111 if calling from outside of the Republic of Ireland) at least 24 hours in advance of travel.
For TFI Local Link services, you will need to call or email your TFI Local Link Office in advance of your journey.
When boarding a bus, please consider the following:
Procedure for a broken wheelchair ramp
If you are unable to board a Dublin Bus because of a broken ramp, please wait for the next bus and inform our Customer Comment Desk by phoning 01-8734222.
If a wheelchair ramp malfunctions on a Go-Ahead Ireland service, the driver will radio control to see when the next bus is arriving. If this is not suitable for the customer the driver will organise for control to organise a taxi for the customer.
Luas services do not require a booking in advance for wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs can be accommodated on train services when booking a ticket online by following these steps:
Irish Rail can accommodate wheelchair or powered scooters up to 700mm in width and 1200 mm long (including footplates) height 1435mm including occupant a maximum weight of 300kg including occupant and a turning radius of 900mm.
For safety reasons, if your wheelchair or mobility scooter is larger that the permitted dimensions, Irish Rail cannot accept it as the wheelchair or scooter may not be able to turn corners on board the train.
TFI has partnered with Invisible Disability Ireland to launch the “Please Offer Me a Seat” Badge and Card for people with invisible disabilities to use when accessing public transport. It ensures that people with hidden disabilities have a seat in priority areas on public transport.
Find out more about the “PLEASE OFFER ME A SEAT”Badge and Card
Transport for Ireland (TFI) are happy to support the AsIAm charity organisation with their a new campaign “Prepare me….as I am“ for public transport” which aims to provide those with Autism with the correct tools for navigating public transport.
1 in 65 people in Ireland are autistic and AsIAm often uses the analogy of a crowded train station in a foreign country to portray how life can feel for many autistic people.
AsIAm wish to provide those with Autism with the below resources for using public transport.
Find out more about the “PREPARE ME….AS I AM…” for public transport
The Jam Card assists customers using the public transport system and makes their experience as stress-free as possible. It allows people with a communication barrier tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.
Find out more about the Jam Card
Transport for Ireland (TFI) are proud to be part of the Dementia: Understand Together campaign by supporting the launch of the new dementia inclusive community symbol.
The new symbol has been developed with people with dementia at its heart. TFI has joined 40 other partners, ranging from voluntary and community groups, health services and academia to retail and financial services to take action to help support people with dementia, their families and friends.
Find out more about the “DEMENTIA: UNDERSTAND TOGETHER”campaign
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.
Find out more about the BABY ON BOARD Badge
The Travel Assistance Scheme aims to help passengers use public transport on their own, especially those with disabilities and reduced mobility. A travel assistant can accompany you the first few times you travel and offer helpful advice on how to plan your journey is open to all over the age of eighteen.
The Travel Assistance Scheme within the Greater Dublin Area is run by Dublin Bus and provides assistance on Dublin Bus, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and DART services. This scheme is free of charge and can be used Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 6 PM.
Email customercomment@dublinbus.ie or customercomment@goaheadireland.ie for further information on how to use the scheme.
The Travel Assistance Scheme also operates in Cork where it is run by Bus Éireann. It provides assistance on Bus Éireann, Irish Rail Cork Commuter and Local Link services within Cork. It is free of charge and can be used Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Email travelassistancecork@buseireann.ie; or phone customer services at 0818 836 611.
The Free Travel Pass allows holders to travel free of charge on all public transport services and many private commercial services. Please note that this cannot be used for free travel in Northern Ireland without first obtaining a Senior SmartPass card.
People are entitled to avail of this scheme if they are over 66 years old and living permanently in Ireland, or they receive Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carers Allowance or Invalidity Pension.
The Free Travel Scheme is administered by the Department of the Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) and all queries about the scheme should be directed to the Department by emailing freetravelqueries@welfare.ie or calling 071 915 7100.
Know what to do when someone on a bus, tram, train or taxi has an epileptic seizure
In support of Epilepsy Ireland, NTA & TransportforIreland wishes to remind the public or industry members of the importance of knowing what to do when someone on a bus, tram, train or taxi has an epileptic seizure.
Epilepsy Ireland have developed three crucial words that should be remembered when it comes to seizure first aid, and they are:
What to do when someone has an Epileptic Seizure – Epilepsy Ireland
Here are a few pieces of bus, tram and train etiquette that can make everyone’s journey, that little bit smoother. A bus (or Luas / Train) is a shared space and therefore a shared experience. That daily commute can be improved with small acts of self-awareness from you and others.
Find out more about ETIQUETTE ON TRANSPORT
We want to highlight the important role public transport workers play in keeping Ireland moving.
We encourage even greater levels of respect by customers for drivers and staff working across the TFI network.
Find out more about PUBLIC TRANSPORT STAFF RESPECT
Luas
Mobility scooters are allowed on board the Luas. It is recommend that users enter through the double doors when boarding a Luas. Once on board, the break should be applied securing the scooter.
Powered Scooters and Wheelchairs/Rollators On-Board Trains.
There are a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces on each train, it is important therefore that you book your space in advance.
Irish Rail can accommodate wheelchair or powered scooters up to 700mm in width and 1200 mm long (including footplates) height 1435mm including occupant a maximum weight of 300kg including occupant and a turning radius of 900mm.
For the comfort of all customers, Rollators must be folded and stored in the luggage racks. Where travelling with an oxygen tank, please call 0818 366222 to arrange suitable assistance and seating arrangements.
For safety reasons if your wheelchair or mobility scooter is larger than the permitted dimensions, Irish Rail cannot accept it as the wheelchair or scooter may not be able to turn corners on board the train.
As scooters come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, many have problems on trains, such as being unable to manoeuvre safely inside a carriage. These problems mean that trains cannot carry some scooters, if you are a scooter user who wants to travel by rail, you should contact the station to ensure your scooter can be accommodated.
Accessibility Ramps for Train Access
Irish Rail staff will use ramps to help you on or off trains if required. 24 hours advance notice needs to be given to ensure staff can be deployed to assist you on or off your service.
At some stations there is a gap between the platform and the carriages which may create difficulty for people who are visually impaired or have mobility impairments and assistance may be required when boarding or alighting from the train.
To travel on TFI bus services with your mobility scooter you must have a permit. This is due to certain mobility scooters being too big to fit on buses. To find out if your scooter is the correct size, please contact your operator to have the scooter assessed.
Rules for bus travel with a mobility scooter:
Terms and Conditions of Assessment Certificate for Travel
Travelling with a Visual Impairment
Bus Drivers will pull in and stop for any customer who is waiting at a bus stop with an assistance dog or cane. Please let the driver know where you wish to travel to ensure you are boarding the correct bus.
Most buses are fitted with on board stop audio announcements, in both English and Irish, to ensure that the next stop is announced for customers, so that they can notify the driver via the stop bell of where they wish to stop.
The customer can also notify the driver when they board of where they wish to alight. The driver will do their utmost to remember, however it is advised to listen out for the stop on the next stop audio announcements.
All Luas trams are fitted with a bell which can be rung to indicate the tram approaching and leaving a Luas platform. Requests for a bell to be rang with a certain indicator (ring bell 2 times upon arrival at Harcourt stop) can be made by request through the Emergency Help Point button. Emergency Help Points are located on the side of all Luas ticket vending machines at the end of the platform shelter, in some case this may be free-standing in the same location. You can also contact the Luas Customer Service Centre on 0818 300 604. If you can’t see the approaching tram’s external display (located on each end of the tram above the driver’s cab) showing the tram’s terminus location, please press the Emergency Help Point button. This will connect you to the Luas Central Control Room. You can enquire with them where the tram at the stop is terminating. You can also ask them for any other assistance you may need. You may also approach the driver’s cab from the outside once the tram has stopped.
There are automatic audio announcements on board providing the names of each stop together with other pre-recorded messages. The announcement made will indicate the name of the next stop upon departure from the previous stop and prior to arrival at the next stop. These announcements are made in English and in Irish. If in doubt while on board, there is an emergency passenger communications device on board every tram located on the doorpost to the right hand side of each set of double doors. Press this button to speak with the driver to confirm your location.
When entering and exiting the tram, there is a buzzing warning tone to indicate that tram doors are closing. There is also an orange flashing light located above each door which will flash before the doors close. Do not attempt to exit or enter the tram if you have heard this noise as the doors may close on you. All doors on Luas trams are fitted with an Obstacle Detector System which will prevent you becoming trapped in the doors. The tram cannot move if there is an obstruction in the doors.
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.