People with Disabilities

People holding a NSW or interstate Vision Impaired Person's Pass, their approved attendants and attendants accompanying holders of a Companion Card are all entitled to free travel on a range of transport services in NSW. In addition, people holding an Assistance Animal Permit are entitled to take their identified assistance animal on these transport services free of charge.

Carer Payment recipients who hold a Pensioner Concession Card are entitled to concession travel on a range of transport services in NSW. See our Pensioner Concession Card page for more information on available concessions. See the CentreLink website for more information on the Carer Payment.

Vision Impaired Person's (VIP) Pass

If you are a blind or severely vision impaired person, as assessed under the Snellen Scale by an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist in rural and regional areas, and you live permanently in NSW or the ACT, you are entitled to free travel on all government rail and ferry services, government and private bus services (excluding school services) and most private ferries in NSW as well as free access to Airport Line stations.

Free travel is not available on special or premium services, charter services, special event services or tourism services. Concession entitlements on privately operated services may differ and if in doubt you should check with the operator.

To obtain the free travel you must hold a Vision Impaired Persons Pass which must be carried at all times when travelling so you can produce it if requested to do so by Transport staff.

To obtain your pass you need to lodge an application form completed by an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist in rural and regional areas, with the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office. You can download an application form for a Vision Impaired Persons Pass here (pdf), obtain a copy from the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office or from a NSW branch of Vision Australia and Guide Dogs Australia. Passes are issued free of charge and are current for three years.

In addition, NSW pass holders are entitled to one free return or two free single Countrylink journeys in NSW or the NSW portion of an interstate rail journey each calendar year. At other times they are entitled to half fare concession on CountryLink services as are pass holders from interstate.

Free travel entitlements for attendants is also available for holders of passes marked 'plus attendant' and those who separately hold a Companion Card.

NSW pass holders travelling interstate can use their card to obtain entitlements available to card holders in the State or Territory they are visiting. Entitlements may vary in other States or Territories and card holders are advised to check with the relevant State or Territory prior to travelling.

Pass holders may also be entitled to subsidised travel on taxis under the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme.

Assistance animals travel free with pass holders with or without an Assistance Animal Permit.

Attendants

In addition to the Vision Impaired Person's Pass, free travel for attendants is available to holders of the NSW Ex-members of the Defence Forces Pass, NSW Blinded Soldier Pass and NSW World War 1 Veteran Free Pass provided the pass is marked 'Plus attendant'.

Companion Card Holders

If you hold a Companion Card issued by Ageing, Disability and Home Care in the Department of Human Services you are entitled to have an attendant travel free of charge on government rail and ferry services, government and private bus services (excluding school services) and most private ferries in NSW as well as free access to Airport Line stations.

Free travel is not available on special or premium services, charter services, special event services or tourism services. Concession entitlements on privately operated services may differ and if in doubt you should check with the operator.

You are required to show your Companion Card to obtain free travel for your attendant and to carry it at all times when travelling so you can produce it if requested by Transport staff. Attendants are entitled to free travel only when they are travelling with you.

See the NSW Companion Card website for detailed information on the Companion Card, including eligibility and how to apply, or call the NSW Companion Card information line on 1800 893 044.

Assistance Animals Permit

If you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) or the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), and you rely on the assistance of an animal that has been trained to alleviate the effects of your disability, you may travel on public transport with your animal if you have obtained an Assistance Animal Permit.

To obtain a permit the animal must be certified by an accredited independent training organisation as trained to an acceptable standard to assist you to use public transport effectively and to pose no risk to other customers or staff.

Animals are generally not permitted on public transport services without an Assistance Animal Permit or if they are not a certified Guide Dog, Hearing Dog, Police Dog or Assistance Animal/Police Dog in training.

The Assistance Animal Permit is valid for use in NSW on all government train, bus and ferry services, and on taxi, private bus and private ferry services. The Assistance Animal travels for free and you pay your normal fare. For travel with other services you should contact the operator prior to travel to find out whether the Assistance Animal Permit is recognised.

Permits are issued free of charge by the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office and are valid for 12 months. You can download an application form for the Assistance Animal Permit here (pdf) or obtain one from the RailCorp Passes and Concessions Office, the NSW branch of Vision Australia or Guide Dogs Australia.

If you travel with a Guide Dog, a Hearing Dog (accredited by Lions Australia Hearing Dogs) or a Police Dog you are not required to obtain an Assistance Animal Permit. If, however, you are requested by transport staff for proof of the dog's status as an assistance animal you will need to provide a copy of the animal's certification. You may apply for an Assistance Animal Permit if you consider it would be useful in confirming your entitlement to travel with your animal.