Rail ticket vending machines FAQs

General

What is a TVM?

A Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) is a ‘self-service’ ticket machine which allows customers to buy paper tickets or top-up their iLink smartcards for travel on Translink train services. TVMs are available at all stations and halts on Translink’s rail network apart from Poyntzpass and Scarva.

What are the benefits of using a TVM?

TVMs provide a quick and hassle-free way to purchase Translink rail tickets, saving you time and effort. With round-the-clock availability, TVMs offer the flexibility to buy Translink train tickets, even outside traditional ticket office hours. They also feature intuitive touch screens, making it easy for users to navigate and complete transactions. The screen height on Translink TVMs is adjustable for wheelchair users. On-screen user instructions are available in a variety of languages.

Which destinations are available from a Rail TVM?

All destination stations on the Northern Ireland Railways network are available. Cross Border rail destinations to Republic of Ireland (Enterprise service) cannot be purchased from the TVM and can only be purchased from the Translink website or through a Translink booking office.

Payment

What payment methods are accepted at a Translink Rail TVMs?

Translink Rail TVMs accept cash (sterling only), card (including contactless) and mobile payments including Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

What types of payment card are accepted?

Translink TVMs accept Mastercard (including Maestro) and Visa credit or debit cards. ApplePay & Google Wallet are also accepted. Your smartphone or smartwatch must have NFC Mobile Wallet payment capability enabled. You need to ensure there is enough battery charge on your device to complete your payment. If using a smart device, you may need to ‘wake up’ your device or authenticate it to activate and enable contactless payment.

Are bank notes and coins accepted?

Translink TVMs accept £20, £10 and £5 notes and £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p and 5p coins. Please note that change is always given in coins (never in notes).

Do Translink TVMs accept Euro?

Translink TVMs only accept Sterling currency.

What is the maximum cash note denomination that I can use at a TVM?

£20 is the maximum note however customers are encouraged to use smaller denominations to avoid excessive change in coins.

Tickets

Can I utilise a Translink Bus TVM to buy a Translink Rail ticket or vice versa?

No, only rail tickets can be purchased from Rail TVMs and only bus tickets can be purchased from Bus TVMs. In joint bus and rail locations, we will have signage to designate which TVMs are for bus or for rail and each machine will also have Rail or Bus branding clearly visible on the touch screen.

What types of rail tickets are available to buy from Translink Rail TVMs?

Adult (Single, Day Return, Day Tracker, Weekly Season, Monthly Season, Off Peak Day Return, 3 Day Select, Airlink Single)
Child (Single, Day Return, Day Tracker, Weekly Season, Monthly Season, Off Peak Day Return, 3 Day Select, Airlink Single)
Family & Friends Ticket
Concessions (Single Local only)
Senior Smartpass, 60+ Smartpass, ROI Smartpass, War Pensioner Smartpass, Blind Smartpass
Half Fare Smartpass (Single, Day Return)
yLink (Single, Day Return, Weekly, Monthly)
24 Plus (Single, Day Return, Weekly, Monthly)
Top-Ups (All smartcards including iLink cards)

Can I purchase Cross Border rail tickets from Translink Rail TVMs?

No – due to the need to manage capacity on the Enterprise services, including seat reservations, Cross Border rail tickets cannot be purchased on Rail TVMs. These must still be purchased online on Translink’s website. Alternatively, you can purchase a rail Cross Border ticket through a Translink booking office.

Can I still buy a mobile ticket through the mLink app?

Yes – even though we have introduced TVMs on our rail network the mLink app is still available to all customers with an Apple or Android phone. mLink is a great way to purchase your rail ticket as it allows you to purchase the night before you travel or on your way to the station. By purchasing in advance, it removes the need for you to queue at a ticket office or a TVM.

I have an iLink card – can I still top it up and use it?

Yes – iLink smartcards can now be loaded with 1 day, 1 week or 1 month of travel at the Ticket Vending Machine. We have also installed Platform Validators at most rail stations, where you must validate your iLink card before you board the train every time you make a rail journey.

I have an aLink card – can I still use it?

Yes – We have also installed Platform Validators at most rail stations, where you must validate your aLink card before you board the train every time you make a rail journey.

Do I have to buy my ticket from a Rail TVM before I board?

If you haven’t already purchased your mobile ticket via the mLink app or haven’t got an iLink smartcard, you are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding, either from a TVM or from station staff. If neither option is

available at your boarding station, you should purchase a ticket from the on-train conductor at the earliest opportunity after you board the train.

Are timetables available on Translink TVMs and do I need to select a specific journey time when buying a ticket?

Timetables are not available on TVMs – they are only available on the Translink website. You do not need to select a specific journey time when purchasing a ticket on a Translink TVM.

Can I refund or exchange my ticket if my plans change?

It is not possible to obtain a refund/exchange from a TVM. Full Refund T+Cs can be found here.

How do I get a receipt for my ticket purchase?

During a payment card transaction, you will be given the option to print a receipt. Highlight the appropriate ‘Receipt’ button on the payment screen (it will turn green) and a receipt will print after your ticket.

If you are paying by cash, please retain your travel ticket as your receipt.

Can I purchase tickets for multiple passengers in one transaction and to what value?

Yes, you can purchase paper tickets for multiple passengers within one transaction by using the “Add to Basket” function on the TVM.

Each transaction has a spend limit of £250 cash or £500 for Chip and PIN transactions. The contactless payment limit is £100.

Can I purchase multiple ticket types within the same transaction?

Yes. You can purchase multiple ticket types within the same transaction by adding to the on-screen basket before making your final payment. Multiple tickets can only be purchased for one mode of travel (rail or bus) according to the TVM you are using.

Can I purchase a ticket prior to my date of travel through a Rail TVM?

No - In almost all cases you must purchase a rail ticket from a Rail TVM on the date you are travelling. The exception to this is for a 3 Day Select ticket which can be purchased in advance of travel.

What do I do if I encounter a problem in purchasing a ticket via a TVM?

You can contact Translink on 028 90 354040. Upon provision of time and location details, we will endeavour to assist you.

Customers should note that a valid ticket for travel is required if you intend to use Translink services. This may alternatively be purchased from another TVM, a ticket office, online or directly from a train conductor immediately upon boarding your train.

Smartcards

Do I have to validate my smartcard on a Rail Platform Validator before I board the train?

If you are in possession of a valid iLink or aLink card, you should validate this on a platform validator prior to boarding.

Can I top up my smartcard and check my remaining smartcard balance at a Rail or Bus TVM?

Yes, you can top up any smartcard at both Rail and Bus TVMs. The only exception is the Ulsterbus Town Service Smartcards (which should be topped up specifically at a Bus TVM or by a bus driver when using Ulsterbus Town services).

Smartcard balances can be checked by presenting the smartcard to the reader and selecting the "Smartcard Details" section then select "Mini Statement" to view smartcard balances.

Is a Translink-issued ROI Senior Travel Card accepted by the Rail TVMs?

Yes. Translink-issued ROI Senior passes are accepted by TVMs. Smartpasses issued in the Republic of Ireland (Public Service Card) are not accepted by Translink TVMs. Customers holding a PSC card should instead visit a Translink ticket office for assistance.

I am a 60+ or Senior Smartpass holder. Do I need to get a ticket from a Rail TVM for my train journey?

60+ and Senior Smartpass holders travelling by train must always obtain a paper ticket for their rail journey.

Whilst Translink are implementing TVMs at the majority of rail stations, we do not expect all 60+/Senior Smartpass holders to use the TVMs. Those 60+/Senior Smartpass customers who feel comfortable using a Rail TVM, can obtain their paper ticket for travel from a TVM. If you do not feel comfortable using the Rail TVM, please approach a member of station staff or a conductor on the train and they will issue you with a paper ticket for your rail journey.

For 60+/Senior Smartpass holders who do feel comfortable using a Rail TVM, they should insert their 60+/Senior Smartpass into the designated holder on the front of the TVM. The machine will then ask them to select their destination station and press a button to print their ticket. It's important to remember to remove your 60+/Senior Smartpass after your ticket has been printed.

I am a Half Fare Smartpass holder. Do I need to get a ticket from a Rail TVM for my train journey?

Half-fare Smartpass holders traveling by train must always obtain a paper ticket for their rail journey.

Whilst Translink are implementing TVMs at the majority of rail stations, we do not expect all Half-Fare Smartpass holders to use the TVMs. Only those Half-fare Smartpass customers who feel comfortable using a Rail TVM, can obtain their paper ticket for travel from a TVM. If you do not feel comfortable using the Rail TVM, please approach a member of station staff or a conductor on the train and they will continue to issue you with a paper ticket for your rail journey.

For Half-fare Smartpass holders who do feel comfortable using a Rail TVM, they insert their Half-fare Smartpass into the designated holder on the front of the TVM. The machine will then ask them to select their destination station and select which ticket type they want (Single or Day Return). After that the TVM will request payment (cash or credit/debit card). It's important to remember to take your Half-fare Smartpass after your ticket has been printed.

I am a yLink or 24 Plus customer. How do I purchase a ticket from the Rail TVM?

Please present your yLink or 24+ smartcard to the TVM smartcard holder prior to selecting your destination. You will be presented with appropriate ticket options for yLink or 24+ smartcards. Please select your ticket type and follow the payment process to complete your transaction. Remember to take your smartcard after your ticket has been printed.

Other

Do ticket vending machines offer accessibility features?

Our TVMs offer a clear audio and video interface. The screen height on our TVMs is adjustable for wheelchair users. There is also braille printed on the TVM components and audio announcements are made by the TVM to guide customers through transactions. On-screen instructions can be changed to English, French, German, Spanish and Italian

What do I do if the TVM is out of order / out of service?

Customers should attempt to locate another TVM in the vicinity or purchase a ticket from the station ticket office. All TVMs offer the same ticket options regardless of direction of travel.

In some cases, a TVM may be operating in reduced service mode, accepting only card payments or only cash payment. Customers should attempt to utilise one of these alternative options. If none of these options are available, the customer should seek the help from a member of station staff prior to boarding or from the conductor immediately upon boarding.

Is there a customer service number for assistance?

Yes, you can call 028 90 354040 for assistance with a TVM or alternatively, speak to a member of staff.

Rail Ticket Vending Machine FAQs