Transport Scotland ferry vouchers going electronic

Concessionary travellers who've moved recently are urged to check their address is up to date

Transport Scotland are changing the way they issue concessionary ferry vouchers to eligible elderly, disabled and young people.

The ferry vouchers, providing free passenger travel to and from the Scottish mainland or Shetland, will no longer be issued in paper form. Instead, vouchers will be stored electronically on eligible residents’ National Entitlement Cards (also known as ‘Saltirecard’ or ‘free bus pass’ or Young Scot card).

This means eligible residents will carry one card when travelling by bus in Orkney, across Scotland, or when using their four free ferry trips per annum.

Digital ferry vouchers will be ready to add onto residents’ cards from 1 March 2024, and available for use from 1 April up until 31 March 2025.

(Letters from Transport Scotland will be delivered to eligible people in coming days and weeks advising how to do this from 1 March).

Transport Scotland’s move to digital ferry vouchers will mean residents need to add, or 'collect' them to their card each year. This can be done at any point before travel and does not prevent advance booking. The digital ferry vouchers are downloaded using the Transport Scot Pass Collect App on a ‘smartphone’. For residents who are having difficulty or do not have a smartphone, this can be carried out by a friend, relative, Orkney Islands Council Transportation Service or Customer Services Teams, or at a number of help spots across Orkney.

Transport Scotland will issue a letter and information sheet to all eligible concessionary residents this month. This will include further information on help spots in your area.

Laura Cromarty, Transportation Service Manager, Orkney Islands Council said: “We’re aware this might feel like a big change for concessionary residents, so we’re planning to hold some sessions where people can get help adding the vouchers to their cards and will publicise these soon.

“Don’t worry if you cannot add your vouchers to your card - ferry staff will be able to do it with their ticket machine when you travel. Just make sure you have your NEC card with you on the ferry. To redeem a voucher, your NEC card will be scanned by ferry staff on a card reader just like when you travel on the bus.

“We’d also stress the importance of letting the Council’s Transportation Service know if you have moved in the last 12 months or so – as around 60-80 ferry vouchers are unclaimed each year, due to out-of-date addresses.

“If you are not sure that the address held for you is up-to-date please get in touch with the Council’s Transportation Service so we can check for you and change it if necessary”.

Cardholders who need to update or check their address details can contact the Council’s Transportation Team on 01856 873535 ext 3637 or email ferryvouchers@orkney.gov.uk

More information:

You are eligible for four ferry vouchers (i.e. two return trips to mainland Scotland or Shetland) if you hold a valid National Entitlement Card because you permanently live in Orkney and are aged over 60, disabled, or are aged 16-18.

Residents with a disabled card featuring the C+1 logo are entitled to have a companion travel with them on the ferry, and can collect four free companion vouchers to their card as well as their own vouchers.

For 16 to 18 year olds, digital ferry vouchers can be collected using the App from your 16th birthday, however you must be under 19 on the date of travel. The app can also be used to check how many vouchers you have.

Detailed further information and FAQs about ferry vouchers are available at the Transport Scotland website

To find out more about concessionary travel in general in Scotland, visit this link.