By VIEWdigital editor Brian Pelan

Save the SmartPass campaigners held a protest today outside the offices of the Department of Infrastructure in Belfast.

Various speakers at the event in Adelaide Street, organised by the trade union Unison, condemned any attempt to restrict the right to free travel.

The Department of Infrastructure has launched a consultation which threatens to cut free travel for over 60s in Northern Ireland.

According to campaigners, the current consultation is aimed at cutting the Concessionary Fares Scheme and depriving senior citizens of their SmartPass. These changes could also raise the qualifying age in line with state pension age.

A further protest is to be held outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday, August 19 at 1pm. It has been organised by trade unions, community workers and environmental campaigners.

• Comment: Hands off the free NI travel SmartPass must be shouted out loud and clear – https://viewdigital.org/comment-hands-off-the-free-ni-travel-smartpass-must-be-shouted-out-loud-and-clear/