mLink Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions

1. mLink tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the registered mobile phone owner to whom the mLink ticket has been sent. mLink tickets cannot be used for additional passengers other than the registered mobile phone owner i.e 1 Ticket per customer, per device.
2. Your activated mLink ticket will remain stored on your mobile phone until it expires and should always be shown to authorised Translink staff when requested.
3. Your mLink ticket will automatically expire at 4.00am on the morning following the last day of valid travel.
4. mLink tickets can be activated off-line with no data.  Data is only needed to get a price and buy your mLink ticket.
5. Child mLink tickets can only be bought by an authorised adult using the mLink app using the function at the time of payment. Children cannot buy tickets via the mLink app.
6. Child tickets are only valid for use by children between the ages of 5 years and 16 years. 16 year olds are permitted to travel on a child ticket up to 30th June during the school year they turn 16 years of age.
7. Refunds will be granted in the case where a user was hospitalised or ill and can provide certification.
8. Please ensure your mobile phone is sufficiently charged for your entire journey.
9. Your mobile phone must be able to display the ticket on your screen throughout your entire journey.  If your phone battery dies during your journey you will be unable to retrieve your mobile ticket, and you must pay the full cash fare for the journey you wish to make. This fare is non-refundable.
10. If you cannot display a valid activated mLink ticket when requested by a Translink member of staff, you must buy a full price cash ticket which is non-refundable.
11. For security purposes you also need to enter your CVV code from your Credit or Debit card plus your 3D Secure details. Your CVV code is the 3 digit code on the signature strip on the back of your card. For PayPal transactions, once you have authorised the mLink app to access your PayPal Account no further authorisation is required. Entering 3D Secure details are stored on the mLink app.
12. Details of what to do if your phone is lost, stolen, damaged or faulty, how to apply for a refund, can be found at www.translink.co.uk/mLink/
13. If Translink receives a chargeback or payment dispute for mLink purchases on your account, your mLink account may be suspended or terminated without notice.  Please contact Translink in the first instance if you feel you have been charged in error for a mLink purchase.
14. Standard Conditions of Carriage and Railways Byelaws also apply to mLink tickets.

Metro and Glider

1. mLink Metro / Glider tickets are only valid on scheduled Metro and Glider services within Belfast (not valid on special bus services or rail services). They can also be used on Ulsterbus Citystopper services (500 series) and any Ulsterbus services scheduled to pick-up passengers in the Metro and Glider operating area. If you purchase a Metro single, please select the appropriate zone you intend to travel within.
2. If you want to travel beyond the Metro and Glider Operating Area e.g. via Ulsterbus Citystopper service, you must buy an Ulsterbus ticket from the driver for the entire journey from boarding to alighting stage at the point of boarding the bus.
3. Your mLink Metro / Glider Single ticket will automatically activate immediately after purchase and expire 45 minutes after activation.
4. For mLink Single and Day Tickets the period of travel starts immediately after purchase and is valid for travel during the remainder of that validity on scheduled Metro and Glider services.
5. mLink Adult and Child Metro Peak Day tickets can only be purchased before 9.30a.m. Monday-Sunday.
6. mLink Adult and Child Metro Off-Peak Day tickets can only be purchased after 9.30a.m. Monday-Sunday.
7. For mLink Weekly tickets travel starts on the day your ticket is purchased and will be valid for one full week.
8. For mLink Monthly tickets travel starts on the day your ticket is purchased and will be valid for one full calendar month.

Foyle Metro

1. mLink Foyle Metro tickets are only valid on scheduled Foyle Metro services within Derry~Londonderry.
2. You must always activate your mLink Foyle Metro ticket for travel before you board the bus.  If you do not activate your mLink Foyle Metro ticket prior to boarding you must buy a full price cash ticket from the driver which is non-refundable. Your mLink Foyle Metro ticket will not activate automatically.
3. Travel starts on the day your mLink Foyle Metro Day Ticket is activated and is valid for travel during the remainder of that day on scheduled Foyle Metro services.
4. Your purchased Foyle Metro mLink ticket (s) will remain stored on your mobile phone until you decide to activate them and activated tickets should always be shown to authorised Translink staff when requested.

NI Railways

1. mLink NI Railways tickets are only valid on scheduled timetabled NI Railways services within Northern Ireland (not valid on special trains).
2. mLink NI Railways tickets are not valid on bus services, with the exception of free bus services to and from Belfast Central, Newry and Derry~Londonderry train stations as well as bus substitution services which follow the same rules and permissions as paper rail tickets.
3. If you intend to travel beyond your designated NI Railways station you must buy an additional cash ticket or another mLink NI Railways One Day Ticket for the extra portion of your journey before you travel beyond the station permitted on your mLink ticket.
4. mLink NI Railways: singles and 1 Day mLink tickets automatically activate on the same day of purchase. Single tickets will expire 150 minutes after activation. If you do not activate your 3 Day Flexi, Weekly or Monthly mLink ticket it will automatically self-activate 3 days after purchase. 
5. The period of travel commences on the day your single, 1 Day, 3 Day Flexi, Weekly or Monthly mLink ticket is activated and is valid for travel between your 2 chosen NI Railways stations within Northern Ireland. 
6. mLink NI Railways Sunday Tracker tickets will activate automatically after purchase and are valid for one full day’s travel, on Sundays only between all NI Railways stations.

Goldline

1. mLink Goldline tickets are only valid on scheduled Goldline services within Northern Ireland (not valid on special services).
2. You must always activate your mLink Goldline ticket for travel before you board the bus. If you do not activate your mLink Goldline ticket prior to boarding you must buy a full price cash ticket from the driver which is non-refundable.  Your mLink ticket will not activate automatically.
3. Travel starts once your mLink Goldline ticket is activated and is valid for travel between your two chosen Goldline stages you have selected within Northern Ireland.
4. mLink Goldline tickets will expire 90 minutes after activation.
5. When you buy a Day Return or 1 Month Return (only available on Goldline 212 services) your mLink ticket will be delivered to your phone as two separate single tickets.  The outward single ticket and return single ticket must be used from and to the two chosen Goldline stages you have selected.
6. For a 1 Month Return mLink ticket (only available on Goldline 212 services) if you have not activated the return single ticket it will automatically expire one month after the date the outward single ticket has been activated.
7. mLink Goldline Off-Peak Day Return tickets provide travel only on selected Goldline services within Northern Ireland after 9.30a.m. Monday-Sunday.  This is a promotional fare which may be withdrawn at any time.
8. If you intend to travel beyond your designated Goldline stage, you must buy an additional cash ticket from the driver for the entire journey from boarding to alighting stage at the point of boarding the bus.
9. Your purchased mLink ticket(s) will remain stored on your mobile phone until you decide to activate them and activated tickets should always be shown to authorised Translink staff when requested.

Ulsterbus Craigavon

1. mLink Ulsterbus tickets are only valid on Ulsterbus Craigavon Services between Lurgan and Portadown Town Centres (46, 47 & 51).
2. You must always activate your mLink Ulsterbus ticket for travel before you board the bus. If you do not activate your mLink Ulsterbus ticket prior to boarding you must buy a full price cash ticket from the driver which is non-refundable.  Your mLink ticket will not activate automatically.
3. mLink Adult and Child Metro Off-Peak Day tickets can only be activated after 9.30a.m. Monday-Sunday.
4. Travel starts once your mLink Ulsterbus ticket is activated and is valid for travel on Ulsterbus Craigavon Services between Lurgan and Portadown Town Centres (46, 47 & 51).
5. mLink Ulsterbus Off-Peak Day Tickets provide travel on Ulsterbus Craigavon Services between Lurgan and Portadown Town Centres (46, 47 & 51) after 9.30am Monday-Sunday. This is a promotional fare which can be withdrawn at any time.
6. If you intend to travel beyond your designated Ulsterbus stage, you must buy an additional cash ticket from the driver for the entire journey from boarding to alighting stage at the point of boarding the bus.
7. Your purchased mLink ticket(s) will remain stored on your mobile phone until you decide to activate them and activated tickets should always be shown to authorised Translink staff when requested.

yLink / 24+ cardholders

1. If you are an existing yLink or 24+ cardholder, you must register your smartcard details within the mLink application before you can purchase and use yLink or 24+ tickets via the mLink app.
2. You must have already successfully applied for, and been issued with, a yLink/24+ smartcard before you can register your yLink/24+ details within the mLink app (i.e. there is no mechanism to apply for a new yLink/24+ smartcard within the mLink app)
3. Once you have registered your yLink/24+ smartcard details within the mLink app, you will be permitted to purchase yLink and 24+ mLink tickets until your existing card is no longer valid at which point you must either register another valid card or purchase Adult mLink tickets.
4. The photograph registered on your yLink/24+ smartcard will always appear on your yLink/24+ mLink ticket display to verify that you are a valid card holder who is entitled to discount.

Airport Express 300 Bus

1. mLink single and 1 month return tickets are valid for travel on the Airport Express 300 between Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Centre and are not valid on any other bus service.
2. You must always activate your mLink ticket for travel before you board the Airport Express 300 bus.  If you do not activate your mLink ticket prior to boarding you must buy a full price cash ticket from the driver which is non-refundable.  Your mLink ticket will not activate automatically.
3. Travel commences from the date and time your mLink ticket is activated and is valid for travel between your 2 chosen stages of travel within Northern Ireland.
4. mLink tickets will expire 90 minutes after activation.
5. When you buy a 1 Month Return ticket it will be delivered to your phone as two separate single tickets.  The outward single ticket and return single ticket are to be used from and to the stages selected.
6. For a 1 Month Return ticket, if you have not activated the return single ticket it will automatically expire one month after the date the outward single ticket has been activated.
7. If you intend to travel beyond the destination of your mLink ticket you must buy an additional cash ticket or another mLink ticket for the extra portion of your journey before you travel beyond the stage permitted on your mLink ticket.

Refunds

1. If you no longer require your mLink Metro Day tickets we can refund the remaining ticket(s) value, minus an administrative fee.
2. Partially activated tickets cannot be refunded, only pre-purchased full days may be refunded at the discounted price originally paid.  A standard administrative fee of 20% of ticket value remaining will be deducted, capped at £5.00 but not less than £1.50 unless proven you were unable to travel due to illness or handset has been lost, stolen, damaged or faulty and the remaining tickets cannot be transferred to another handset.
3. If your phone runs out of power or your phone screen is so badly cracked or defaced that our staff cannot read the details of your ticket then you will have to pay the full Adult cash fare for which there will also be no refund.
4. Once we receive your request to refund your mLink ticket(s), we will instantly expire your mLink tickets from your Mobile Phone.
5. All mLink refunds are rounded to the nearest penny and refunded to your registered credit, debit card or PayPal account. No refund is payable where the net refund amounts to £1.50 or less.
6. To apply for a refund telephone Translink’s Contact Centre 028 9066 6630. Since we need to verify your details against our mLink Customer Database, refund requests cannot be made in person at Bus or Rail Stations.
7. If you obtain a new phone or your phone is lost, stolen, damaged or faulty please promptly telephone Translink’s Contact Centre via 028 9066 6630 or email mlink.admin@Translink.co.uk and we will arrange for your mLink tickets to be transferred to your new handset.
8. If you have been unable to travel due to illness no administrative fee will be applied to your refund. Formal documentary proof is however required from a Doctor or Hospital confirming when you were incapacitated. An original copy of this documentation should be sent to mLink Refunds, Translink’s Ticketing Systems Department, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX along with an accompanying letter containing your contact details and outlining your request for a refund.

1. If you no longer require your Goldline Single, Day Return or 1 Month Return we can refund the remaining ticket(s) value, minus an administrative fee.
2. Partially activated tickets cannot be refunded, only pre-purchased full days may be refunded at the discounted price originally paid.  A standard administrative fee of 20% of ticket value remaining will be deducted, capped at £5.00 but not less than £1.50 unless proven you were unable to travel due to illness or handset has been lost, stolen, damaged or faulty and the remaining tickets cannot be transferred to another handset.
3. If your phone runs out of power or your phone screen is so badly cracked or defaced that our staff cannot read the details of your ticket, then you will have to pay the full Adult cash fare for which there will also be no refund.
4. Once we receive your request to refund your mLink ticket(s), we will instantly expire your mLink tickets from your Mobile Phone.
5. All mLink refunds are rounded to the nearest penny and refunded to your registered credit, debit card or PayPal account. No refund is payable where the net refund amounts to £1.50 or less.
6. To apply for a refund telephone Translink’s Contact Centre 028 9066 6630. Since we need to verify your details against our mLink Customer Database, refund requests cannot be made in person at Bus or Rail Stations.
7. If you obtain a new phone or your phone is lost, stolen, damaged or faulty please promptly telephone Translink’s Contact Centre via 028 9066 6630 or email mlink.admin@Translink.co.uk and we will arrange for your mLink tickets to be transferred to your new handset.
8. If you have been unable to travel due to illness no administrative fee will be applied to your refund. Formal documentary proof is however required from a Doctor or Hospital confirming when you were incapacitated. An original copy of this documentation should be sent to mLink Refunds, Translink’s Ticketing Systems Department, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX along with an accompanying letter containing your contact details and outlining your request for a refund.

1. If you no longer require your Foyle Metro or Craigavon day tickets we can refund the remaining ticket(s) value, minus an administrative fee.
2. Partially activated tickets cannot be refunded, only pre-purchased full days may be refunded at the discounted price originally paid.  A standard administrative fee of 20% of ticket value remaining will be deducted, capped at £5.00 but not less than £1.50 unless proven you were unable to travel due to illness or handset has been lost, stolen, damaged or faulty and the remaining tickets cannot be transferred to another handset.
3. If your phone runs out of power or your phone screen is so badly cracked or defaced that our staff cannot read the details of your ticket, then you will have to pay the full Adult cash fare for which there will also be no refund.
4. Once we receive your request to refund your mLink ticket(s), we will instantly expire your mLink tickets from your Mobile Phone.
5. All mLink refunds are rounded to the nearest penny and refunded to your registered credit, debit card or PayPal account. No refund is payable where the net refund amounts to £1.50 or less.
6. To apply for a refund telephone Translink’s Contact Centre 028 9066 6630. Since we need to verify your details against our mLink Customer Database, refund requests cannot be made in person at Bus or Rail Stations.
7. If you obtain a new phone or your phone is lost, stolen, damaged or faulty please promptly telephone Translink’s Contact Centre via 028 9066 6630 or email mlink.admin@Translink.co.uk and we will arrange for your mLink tickets to be transferred to your new handset.
8. If you have been unable to travel due to illness no administrative fee will be applied to your refund. Formal documentary proof is however required from a Doctor or Hospital confirming when you were incapacitated. An original copy of this documentation should be sent to mLink Refunds, Translink’s Ticketing Systems Department, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX along with an accompanying letter containing your contact details and outlining your request for a refund.

• Please note that: 

  • You must have activated your mLink ticket before boarding the train.  If you do not activate your ticket before you board the train you will have to pay the full Adult cash fare for which there will be no refund.
  • If your phone runs out of power or your phone screen is so badly cracked or defaced that our staff cannot read the details of your ticket then you will have to pay the full Adult cash fare for which there will also be no refund.
  • If you no longer require your mLink ticket we can refund the remaining ticket value minus an administrative fee.
  • Once we receive your request to refund your mLink ticket, we will instantly expire your mLink tickets from your Mobile Phone.
  • All mLink refunds are rounded to the nearest penny and refunded to your registered credit, debit card or PayPal account. No refund is payable where the net refund amounts to £1.50 or less.
  • The standard administrative fee is 20% of the value of the refund, capped at £5 and not less than £1.50.
  • A full refund is given for non-activated tickets minus the standard administrative fee.
  • A partial refund is given for activated tickets minus the standard administrative fee. Manually and automatically activated tickets are treated the same.
  • If you have been unable to travel due to illness your mLink ticket can be refunded from the point when your illness commenced. Formal documentary proof is however required from a Doctor or Hospital confirming when you were incapacitated. An original copy of this documentation should be sent to Translink’s Ticketing Systems Department, Floor 1, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7LX along with an accompanying letter containing your contact details and outlining your request for a refund. Such documentary proof should be received within 28 days after expiry of your mLink ticket.
  • To apply for a refund telephone Translink’s Contact Centre 028 9066 6630. Since we need to verify your details against our mLink Customer Database, refund requests cannot be made in person at NI Railways Ticket Sales offices.
  • Partial refunds are not calculated on a pro rata basis to the price of the ticket. The refund is calculated at point when customer requests the refund e.g. Weekly ticket activated on Monday and refund requested on Tuesday means that Wednesday to Sunday’s valid travel eligible for refund.

• Weekly and Monthly; In terms of Weekly and Monthly mLink tickets the partial refund is calculated on same basis as paper Weekly and Monthly paper tickets are currently calculated. The refund will be the difference, if any, between:

  • the price paid for the mLink Weekly/Monthly ticket and
  • the total cost of travel until the date the ticket refund is requested
  • Total cost of travel until the date when the ticket refund is requested is calculated by combining the cost of Weekly Tickets (if this applies) and any full-priced return tickets for each day up until the date the Weekly/Monthly ticket refund was requested.
    • For Example, a refund on a Monthly Ticket used for 16 days out of month.
      • £77.50 original cost of Monthly Season ticket from point X to point Y
      • Less £44.00 (2 weekly tickets @ £22.00 each, covering 14 days travel)
      • Less £10.80 (2 day returns @ 5.40 each to cover last two days of travel)
      • Sub Total £22.70
      • Less £4.54 (administration fee of 20% of value of refund)
      • Total refund payable £18.16

• 3 Day Flexi Tickets; Refunds for 3 Day Flexi Tickets are calculated on a similar basis of Weekly and Monthly mLink Tickets with refund the difference, if any, between;

  • the price paid for the mLink 3 Day Flexi Ticket and
  • the total cost of travel until the date the ticket refund is requested
  • Total cost of travel until the date when the ticket refund is requested is calculated by subtracting any full-priced day return tickets for each day up until the date the 3 Day Flexi Ticket refund was requested.
    • For example,3 Day Flexi Ticket is used for two days but refund sought for remaining inactivate day.
      • £30.00 original cost of 3 Day Flexi Ticket from A to B
      • Less £25.00 (2 day returns @ £12.50 each to cover first two days of travel)
      • Less £1.50 (administration fee of 20% of value of refund)
      • Total refund payable £3.50

• 1-day tickets

  • Partially used 1 Day Tickets cannot be refunded. Any refund for a 1 Day Ticket must be made prior to activation. Since Peak 1 Day Tickets automatically activate immediately after purchase and off-peak 1 Day Tickets automatically activate after 9.30am refund requests can only be considered in relation to off peak 1 Day Tickets with refund request made before 9.30am.  Refund will be calculated based upon total cost of ticket minus standard administration fee

• Delay Repay Claims

  • mLink customers are entitled to the same compensation under Translink NI Railway’s Delay Repay scheme. For more details about Delay Repay please visit www.translink.co.uk/delayrepay
  • If NI Railways do not exceed the punctuality levels of or in excess of 92% for Bangor, Portadown and Larne Lines or 87% for Londonderry Lines we will offer up to 10% discount for the following month’s travel when a customer buys a rail mLink monthly ticket. In addition, if reliability targets fall below 99.2% for a railway line we will also offer up to 10% discount for the following months travel. A maximum of 10% discount will be offered on any one line at a particular time.
  • This will be given to any passenger purchasing any type of monthly mLink ticket, not just passengers who are renewing their monthly mLink ticket.
  • The discount is available on the date when the customer purchases the ticket rather than when activated.
  • If you wish to make a claim for an individual journey made which was delayed by more than 30 minutes simply complete a Delay Repay Claim Form. Claim forms are available at all main rail stations and can also be downloaded at www.translink.co.uk/delayrepay
  • When we receive your claim, we will check whether your ticket was activated when you attempted to make your journey which was delayed or cancelled. If your ticket was activated and your claim is valid, we will offer you a discount of at least £1.
  • A discount voucher will be sent via email to your phone entitling you to purchase your next mLink ticket at a discounted price. Redemption instructions will be included in this email.

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