Multi Journey Travel Card

Use

1. Smartlink Cards can be used on all scheduled Metro/Glider services. Special Services are excluded. 

2. They can also be used on the following Ulsterbus services:  

   • Ulsterbus Citystopper Services (No 500 series). 

   • Ulsterbus Services scheduled to pick up passengers in the Metro/Glider Operating areas. 

   • Ulsterbus Saturday & Sunday Services scheduled to pick up passengers in the Metro/Glider Operating area. 

3. Smartlink Travel Cards are valid throughout the Metro/Glider operating area, which includes the Inner Zone, City Zone and Extended Zone. The Extended Zone includes Newtownabbey, Monkstown, Rathcoole, Twinbrook, Poleglass, Lagmore, Dunmurry, Conway and Ballybeen. Tullycarnet and Belvoir are within the City Zone. 

4. Smartlink MJ Cards may only be used for travel within the specified Zone. The appropriate full fare will be charged for travel beyond the specified Zone. If the card is used to travel a shorter distance no refund will be given. For example, if an Extended Zone card is used within the City Zone no refund will be given on the difference between the Extended Zone and the City Zone fare. 

5. Smartlink Travel Cards are valid on school services within the Inner, City & Extended Zones. 

6. Smartlink MJ Extended Zone Cards are accepted on certain school services for fare values in excess of the City Zone price. 

7. Smartlink MJ Inner Zone Cards can be used for any cash fare equivalent to £1.20 in value and are therefore not exclusively for use in the Inner Zone. 

Topping Up & Expiry Dates

1. Smartlink Travelcards can be loaded with weekly or monthly travel. Where Travel Cards have no existing validity period, then weekly travel means 7 consecutive days from the date of first use and monthly travel means one calendar month e.g. from 25th February to 24th March inclusive, from the date of first use (not purchase). 

2. Where a Travel Card has some existing validity period, topping up extends the current validity date. For example, a card with 3 days travel is topped up with 7 days travel and becomes valid for 10 days from the date of the top up and not 3 days followed by a further 7 days from the first use of the newly purchased travel. Any unused travel remaining in the intervening period between top-up and next use will not be eligible for refund. 

3. All journeys added to a Smartlink MJ card are valid for 6 months from the date of top up. Each time a card is topped up all valid unused journeys on the card at the time will have their validity extended for a further 6 months. Any Smartlink MJ card journeys which are not used within 6 months of top-up will EXPIRE and are automatically removed from the card. Expired journeys are non-refundable.

4. Smartlink cards cannot be loaded with both multi-journeys and unlimited weekly or monthly travel. To swap a MJ Card for a Travel Card or vice versa the card should be taken to the Translink Desk at Visit Belfast, Donegall Square North, with a journey balance of zero (MJ Smartlink) or no remaining validity (Smartlink Travel cards). 

5. If a Smartlink top-up is purchased in error at a Metro/Glider Ticket Agent or the Translink Desk at Visit Belfast, Donegall Square North, the transaction can only be cancelled if this is done before a further transaction has been processed. 

6. Metro/Glider Smartlink Cards cannot be topped up on board a bus. 

General

1. Smartlink Cards are subject to the Company’s operating terms and conditions. 

2. Cards remain the property of Translink. If lost cards are found they should be returned to: Translink SmartPass Office, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX 

3. Cards and corresponding journey receipts must be retained by the passenger until the journey is complete. These must be presented if requested by authorised Translink personnel. 

4. Once the validity of any Smartlink Card has expired it cannot be used for travel until topped up. Expired cards presented for travel will not be accepted and the appropriate full fare will be charged. 

5. Smartlink MJ Cards and Travel Cards are transferable. MJ Cards can be used by two or more people travelling together on the same service provided there are sufficient journeys stored on the card. Travel Cards can only be used by one person per journey but can be transferred to someone wishing to travel at a different time. 

Refunds

1. Smartlink Card holders may apply for a refund of the journeys or travel remaining on the card if it is no longer required. Refund claims must be received before the expiry date of the card. For Travel Cards the refund is calculated on the date the card is received for refund by reimbursing any unused travel (full days only) at the Smartlink price. For MJ Cards the refund is calculated on the date the card is received for refund by reimbursing unused journeys at the Smartlink journey price. An administration fee of 20% of the value remaining on the card will be deducted in both cases. The initial cost of the Smartlink Card will NOT be refunded. 

2. To apply for a refund the card holder should post the Multi-Journey Card, quoting their Smartlink card number, to: Translink SmartPass Office, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX

3. If a card is faulty and the ticket machine is unable to read the information stored on the card the appropriate full fare will be charged by the driver. The card should be returned to the address above. A cheque refund will be issued for the unused journeys at the Smartlink journey price plus the initial cost of the Smartlink Card. No administration fee will be charged. The card holder will be required to purchase a new card. 

4. If a card is damaged and the ticket machine is unable to read the information stored on the card the appropriate full fare will be charged by the driver. The card should be returned to the address above. A cheque refund will be issued for the unused journeys at the Smartlink journey price. An administration fee of 20% of the value remaining on the card will be deducted. The initial cost of the Smartlink Card will NOT be refunded. 

5. If a Smartlink Card is lost or stolen the card holder should phone the Smartlink Office on 028 90 759129 during office hours to cancel or ‘hotlist’ their card. The Smartlink Card number is required to do this. The Smartlink Card number is printed across the front of the card and is also printed on all corresponding receipts issued. Once a ‘hotlisting’ period of 2 working days is complete a refund will be issued for the unused journeys at the Smartlink journey price. An administration fee of 20% of the value remaining on the card (capped at £5) will be deducted. The initial cost of the Smartlink Card will NOT be refunded.

6. Refund claims for less than £1.50 will NOT be accepted. Cash refunds are not available. 

7. Refunds are not available for days of non-use during the validity period of a Travel Card. For example, Public Holidays. 

8. Refunds on Smartlink Cards presented for refund after the expiry date will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the company. 

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