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Travelling on public transport with a disability or reduced mobility

Introduction

Public transport companies offer accessibility services for people with a disability or reduced mobility. The largest public transport operators are listed below and this page provides accessibility information for them.

Bus

Rail

Light-rail

This page also gives an overview of the Travel Assistance Scheme (greater Dublin area, Cork, Limerick and Waterford), the Jam Card and App and the Please Offer Me a Seat Badge and Card.

Planning a journey

Before you start your journey, you can use Transport for Ireland’s (TFI) online journey planner to plan your journey.

The journey planner will give you information about bus and rail routes all over Ireland. It will also tell you if a service is wheelchair accessible.

If you can’t travel alone, you may be able to get a free travel pass for your travel companion. You can get more information in our page on free travel in Ireland.

Travel Assistance Scheme

The Travel Assistance Scheme helps people with disabilities to use public transport in the greater Dublin area and in Cork, Limerick and Waterford cities. The scheme is free and is available for people over 18 years.

Under the scheme, a travel assistant can travel with you the first few times you are travelling and offer advice on how to plan your journey. The assistant will help you get used to travelling along that route on your own. You can contact them when you are starting a new route.

The Travel Assistance Scheme in Dublin is available for Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, DART and Luas services. It is run by Dublin Bus, but they provide the service across different transport providers.

To find out more, contact Dublin Bus by:

The Travel Assistance Scheme in Cork, Limerick and Waterford are available for city buses and Iarnród Éireann commuter trains.

To find out more, contact Bus Éireann by:

JAM Card and App

What is the JAM Card and JAM App?

The JAM Card is a card or app that tells other passengers that you need a little more time because you have a condition or a disability. It can be a physical card or an app on your phone or both.

This card helps passengers with a communication barrier to say that they need “just a minute” and to ask for patience. The JAM Card and App are free.

How can I get a JAM Card?

You can get it in any of the following 3 ways:

How do I use it?

You show your JAM Card to the person that you are interacting with (for example, the bus driver). The card says ‘Just A Minute’ on one side, and you can choose which message you would like on the other side of your card.

The message could say any of the following:

  • I have autism
  • I am autistic
  • I have a condition
  • I have a learning difficulty or a disability
  • I have an intellectual disability

With the app, you can choose your own message.

Where can I use it?

You can use it on public transport and in shops, banks, cafés, restaurants, hotels and museums.

Find out more at jamcard.org or the Transport for Ireland website.

Please Offer Me a Seat Badge and Card

What is the Please Offer Me a Seat Badge and Card?

The badge and card are for people with invisible disabilities to use when using public transport. If you have an invisible disability and have difficulty standing while using public transport, the badge or card will help you to subtly alert other passengers that you would like to be offered a seat.

Some examples of invisible disabilities are fibromyalgia, autism, head injuries, chronic pain, poor balance, and multiple sclerosis, along with other conditions.

How can I get it?

You can contact your local TFI public transport operator to get one.

Where can I use it?

You can use the badge on Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann—Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland, and TFI Local Link services.

Find out more at the Transport for Ireland website.

Buses

Wheelchair access on buses

Dublin Bus

On all Dublin bus buses, there is one space for a person using a wheelchair. A wheelchair can be up to 70cm wide and 120cm long.

You should get on and get off the bus by the front doors, as the ramp is only at the door near the driver. When you get on the bus, you can ask the driver to give you extra time to get to your seat before the bus pulls away from the stop.

To leave the bus, press the button with the wheelchair symbol on it, next to the wheelchair space, shortly before your stop. This bell has its own sound which lets the driver know that you wish to leave the bus.

You can find more information on wheelchair accessibility from Dublin Bus.

Bus Éireann

Many of Bus Eireann services are wheelchair accessible, but some are not. You can find a list of accessible routes on the Bus Éireann website.

Mobility scooters on buses

Dublin Bus

To travel on Dublin Bus with your mobility scooter you must have a permit. This is because some mobility scooters are too big to fit on Dublin Bus buses. To find out if your scooter is the correct size and to arrange a permit, contact Dublin Bus’s Travel Assistance.

You can contact Dublin Bus’s Travel Assistance by:

Bus Éireann

For Bus Éireann, you should call 0818 836 611 to see if they can accommodate your mobility scooter.

If you have a vision impairment

All buses must stop if there is a person with a long cane or a guide dog at the bus stop. All new buses have audio announcements which will tell you the next stop.

If you have a hearing impairment

Dublin bus provide Real Time Passenger Information with on street signs at approximately 500 bus stops. Bus Éireann have real time information on their website. There is a TFI real time app which combines all real time information Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, GO-Ahead Ireland and Iarnród Éireann and Luas.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs on buses

Guide dogs or assistance dogs are allowed on all buses.

If you want to make a complaint

Dublin bus

You can make a complaint to Dublin Bus’s Inquiry Officer by:

You must state which Section of the Disability Act 2005 the complaint refers to. Your complaint must clearly outline the reason and include any relevant information. See the complaints section on Dublin bus.

Bus Éireann

You can make a complaint to Bus Éireann by:

See the customer information section on Bus Éireann.

Rail

If you need assistance to travel by rail, you should contact the relevant stations first. Contact Irish Rail at least 24 hours before your journey and give them details of your travel plans.

For support, you can:

  • Email: access@irishrail.ie
  • Call: 01 836 6222 (Monday – Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm excluding public holidays).

Sensory packs are available for people with additional sensory challenges. They are free and you can request one by filling out a sensory pack request form. The pack includes ear defenders, sunglasses, and a fidget spinner.

Give details of your travel plans

When contacting the station include the following information:

  • Date and time of travel
  • Departure station
  • Arrival station and if you need to change trains on your journey
  • The nature of your disability
  • Assistance required
  • How you will travel to and from departure and arrival stations such as taxi, private car and whether someone is meeting you at your destination
  • If you will travel alone or with someone
  • If you need help arriving or departing from the station
  • Any other details to assist railway staff or details you would like to clarify

If it is not possible to give notice to Irish Rail, they will do their best to provide assistance. If there is a change or you need to cancel your plans, let Irish Rail know. Staff can then assist others.

Wheelchair access and mobility scooters on trains

Wheelchair accessible spaces are limited on each train. It is important that you book your space before you travel. If you use a mobility scooter, contact the station to ensure your scooter can be accommodated.

Accessibility ramps for train access

At some stations there is a gap between the platform and the carriages. Ramps can be used to help you on or off trains if needed. You should contact Irish Rail 24 hours before you travel to ensure staff are available to help you.

Disabled car parking at train stations

All station car parks have designated car parking spaces for people with a Disabled Person’s Parking Card. You can get information on station accessibility on each station’s webpage.

If you have a vision impairment

Most mainline and suburban and all DART stations have public address systems giving details of trains and services for people with visual impairments. Tactile tiles are in place in some stations to help people with visual impairments. Braille-coded buttons and a talking lift are available in newer station lifts.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs on trains

Guide or Assistance dogs are allowed on all Irish rail services and in train stations.

If you want to make a complaint

If you want to make a complaint under the 2005 Disability Act, contact access@irishrail.ie.

Luas tram services

You should contact Luas before you travel if you will need assistance. The Travel Assistance Scheme is available on the Luas, (see ‘Travel Assistance Scheme’ above). Travel assistance is free and you can request it during all Luas operating hours.

To arrange assistance, contact the Luas Customer Service office by phone on 0818 300 604 or by email info@luas.ie. You should give details of your travel plans. See ‘Rail’ above for guidance on the details that you should give. If there is a change or you need to cancel your plans, let the Luas know. Staff are then available to help others.

Wheelchair accessibility on the Luas

All Luas trams and stops are wheelchair-accessible. 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.

If you are using a wheelchair, get on the Luas through the double doors in the middle of each carriage as they are closest to the priority seating and wheelchair area. Make sure that you are facing the rear of the tram while travelling.

There are 2 designated spaces per tram, which can cater for up to 4 wheelchair users. There are signs which say 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.

Mobility scooters on the Luas

You can bring a mobility scooter on board the Luas.

If you have a hearing impairment

Each tram has electronic displays, so you can tell where you are on your journey.

All trams are fitted with an induction loop for passengers using hearing aids equipped with the T-switch. If you use a hearing aid, you can hear announcements in the middle of the tram.

If you have a vision impairment

All trams are fitted with a bell which rings when the tram is approaching and leaving a Luas platform.

There are automatic audio announcements on board with the names of each stop together with other pre-recorded messages.

If in doubt while on board, speak with the driver to confirm your location. You can use the emergency passenger communications device on the doorpost to the right of the double doors to speak with the driver.

Disabled car parking at Luas

There are seven Luas Park and Ride car parking facilities. Each has designated spaces located as close to the Luas platforms as possible. You must display your Disabled Person's Parking Card.

Guide dogs and assistance dog on-board a Luas

You can bring your guide dog or your assistance dog on the Luas.

If you want to make a complaint

If you want to make a complaint under the 2005 Disability Act.

You can:

  • Email: info@luas.ie
  • Call the Luas Customer Service Centre on 0818 300 604
  • Write to: Luas Customer Service, Luas Depot, Red Cow, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, D22 C5P3

More information

You can get more information about accessible travel in Ireland on Transport for Ireland’s website. TFI are supporting the AsIAm charity with a campaign, Prepare Me As I Am, for public transport. This gives people who have autism useful tools to help them use public transport.

You can check the facilities for passengers with a disability at any Irish rail station.

You can also get general information about getting to and from Dublin airport.

Page edited: 9 September 2024

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