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Travel Concessions for the Vision Impaired

Eligibility

Blind or severely vision impaired persons (Snellen Scale) who live permanently in NSW or ACT may now travel for free on private bus service in metropolitan Sydney and the outer-metropolitan areas as well as Sydney and Newcastle Buses, CityRail, and Sydney and Newcastle Ferries services. (See the Recent Changes in NSW Public Transport Concessions for more information about changes in benefits for vision impaired persons).

They may travel for half fare on CountryLink and Great Southern Railways services, with entitlements to one free trip a year on CountryLink.

Vision impaired persons who live in another State or Territory and who have been issued with a Vision Impaired Persons Pass by that State or Territory are also entitled for free travel on private bus service in metropolitan Sydney and the outer-metropolitan areas as well as Sydney and Newcastle Buses, CityRail, and Sydney and Newcastle Ferries services.

Entitlements at a glance

Mode Operator Area LEVEL OF CONCESSION
Half fare Excursion tickets Free travel
Rail CityRail Suburban and Intercity network Cross - no Cross - no Tick - yes
AirportLink AirportLink stations Cross - no Cross - no Tick - yes
*
Light rail and Monorail Inner Sydney Cross - no Cross - no Cross - no
CountryLink All NSW routes Tick - yes Tick - yes Tick - yes
**
Great Southern Rail Sydney - Broken Hill route Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Buses Government operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Cross - no Cross - no Tick - yes
Privately operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Cross - no Cross - no Tick - yes
Privately operated Rural / Regional Cross - no Cross - no Cross - no
Ferries Government operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Cross - no Cross - no Tick - yes
Privately operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Cross - no Cross - no Cross - no
Privately operated Rural / Regional Cross - no Cross - no Cross - no

Note: Concession entitlements are not available on special or premium services, charter, special event or tourism services.

Where the VIP Pass is endorsed for an attendant, the attendant also travels for free (except on AirportLink and Great Southern Rail services.

* A concession station access fee is payable by the attendant.

** Holders of the NSW Vision Impaired Person's Pass may receive, on application to RailCorp Passes and Concessions office, 1 free trip annually.

Proof of eligibility

Eligible persons must carry a Vision Impaired Persons Pass.

Vision Impaired Persons Pass

Thumbnail image of sample of the Vision Impaired Persons Pass with link to larger copy of sample card. Click on the image to view a sample of the NSW Vision Impaired Persons Pass - JPG image file.

Where to get a card/replacement card

The NSW Vision Impaired Persons Pass is issued by RailCorp's Passes and Concessions office.

Application forms are available from the RailCorp Passes and Concessions office, NSW branches of Vision Australia and Guide Dogs Australia or may be downloaded from this site by going to the application form download page.

The application must be completed by an ophthalmologist (or optometrist in rural and regional areas).

Period of validity

The Pass is issued every three years.

Fees

No fees are applicable.