Translink launches student discount card

Listen to this article

With a new term approaching Translink is encouraging students to use the bus and train and take advantage of the range of special discounted student tickets as the best way to save money.

With this year’s fresher students set to owe an average of £23,500 by the time they graduate, Translink want to ‘help students afford higher education yet still be able to live and afford a social life’.

To help reduce their travel costs Translink has once again launched the Translink Student Discount Card, offering discount on bus and train services throughout Northern Ireland and cross-border.

In addition there are also a range of Student Fresher Smartlink deals for Metro and a special Uni-Link Smartlink card.

The Student Discount Card is valid for a full year from 1st September 2011 until 30th September 2012 – costing just £7 it offers:

  • Up to 33% discount on adult single train fares
  • Up to 15% discount on Ulsterbus standard adult fares of £2.30 and over
  • Up to 50% discount on single fares on cross border Enterprise services
  • 15% off at DV8 and 20% discount in Peacock’s exclusive student night event;
  • Each student who signs up will also go into a draw to win two tickets to X-factor Live at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena.

Norman Maynes, Head of Business Development at Translink said:

“We recognise how tough it is for students trying to budget particularly in the current climate. We have once again held the cost of our Translink Student Discount Card at £7 for the eighth consecutive year.

“We are also reminding passengers that we have held all our fares at last year’s levels and we would encourage all savvy students to check out the great value everyday savings available by using the train and bus.

“The overall cost of running a car is up by 21% in the last year with increases in fuel, insurance and parking.

“Rising food and energy costs also put pressure on student finances, but using passenger transport could be a great way to help students save money to spend on the more social aspects of student life – it could even help to reduce your overall student loan at the end of your studies.

“For instance, students using the Uni-Link Smartcard to travel from Queens University to the University of Ulster Jordanstown can save up to £2.52 per journey when compared to travelling by private car.

“Travelling by train from Bangor to Jordanstown with a weekly student ticket could also save up to £11.40 per week compared to travelling by car,” Norman concluded.

Any student in full time education from the age of 16, on a full-time course or on a professional training course qualifies for the discount travel card.

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...