A further 4,000 application forms and leaflets are being mailed across Northern Ireland over the next week

Nigel Dodds Social Development Minister

"The agency has been involved in a major mailing exercise over the past few months during which 220,000 application forms and leaflets were issued to senior citizens to publicise the introduction of the concessionary fares SmartPass on 1 May," he said.

"This campaign is continuing on a quarterly basis to keep up with further people as they become eligible.

"A further 4,000 application forms and leaflets are being mailed across Northern Ireland over the next week.

"This will help ensure that all those who are, or will become, eligible for the new SmartPass face as little delay as possible."

Free of charge

The minister said his department would continue with publicity to encourage more pensioners to take advantage of the scheme.

"It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that our senior citizens have access to information which gives them the opportunity to obtain the public services that are theirs by right."

Northern Ireland pensioners were already able to use cross-border services to the Irish Republic free of charge.

Travel from any point in Northern Ireland to any point in the Irish Republic using either bus or train services - but not a mixture of both - is now free.

About 200,000 people are eligible for the scheme.