Using mLink

Available From App Store and Google Play

mLink App is available for download from Apple App Store and Google Play Store and is compatible with iPhone iOS 7 onwards and Android Smartphones Version 4+ (Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat and Lollipop) onwards.

Standard Data Charges apply for downloads and app usage. The mLink app is only available on iPhone and Android handsets. Blackberry and Windows Mobile Phone handsets are unfortunately not supported.

Buying a Metro / Glider Ticket

  1. Choose Metro / Glider.
  2. Select the route you normally travel on.
  3. The App will then offer you a range of ticket types to buy.
  4. If you choose a single ticket you will be asked to pick your Metro corridor / route of travel. All Metro tickets activate immediately after purchase.
  5. Select your ticket and add it to the Basket or choose 'Buy Now'.
  6. Once your basket is complete choose 'Buy Now'.
  7. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  8. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying a Foyle Metro Ticket

  1. Choose Ulsterbus
  2. Select your Foyle Metro Ticket version and add it to the Basket or choose 'Buy Now'.
  3. Once your basket is complete choose 'Buy Now'.
  4. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  5. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying a NI Railways Ticket

  1. Choose the Rail Stations you want to travel From and To.
  2. The App will then find relevant fares and offer you range of ticket types to purchase.
  3. Select your ticket and add it to the Basket or choose 'Buy Now'.
  4. Single and Day Tickets activate immediately and 3 day flexi, weekly and monthly activate within 3 days.
  5. Once your basket is complete choose 'Buy Now'.
  6. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  7. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready for use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying a yLink & 24+ Rail Smartcard Ticket

  1. Register your yLink or 24+ Rail Smartcard by ticking the appropriate box.
  2. Enter your 7 digit yLink card number (shown on the front of your yLink card) OR enter your 8 digit 24+ Rail Smartcard number (shown on the front of your card smartcard).
  3. Select Metro or NI Railways and buy a ticket.
  4. Then Follow the steps above depending on which ticket (Metro or NI Railways) you have chosen.

Buying an Airport Express 300 bus Ticket

  1. Choose Airport Express 300.
  2. The App will then show relevant fares and offer you ticket types to purchase.
  3. Select your ticket and add it to the Basket or choose 'Buy Now'.
  4. Once your basket is complete choose 'Buy Now'.
  5. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  6. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying a Goldliner Ticket

  1. Choose Goldliner.
  2. Select Destination location from list or using map.
  3. Select Boarding location from list or using map.
  4. Or select the route you normally travel on to narrow down your boarding / alighting.
  5. Select your ticket and add it to the Basket or choose ‘Buy Now’.
  6. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  7. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying an Ulsterbus Craigavon Off-Peak Day Ticket

  1. Choose Ulsterbus.
  2. Select your Craigavon ticket version and add it to the Basket or choose 'Buy Now'.
  3. Once your basket is complete choose 'Buy Now'.
  4. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  5. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Buying a Ulsterbus/Urby Ticket

  1. Choose Ulsterbus/Urby.
  2. Select Destination location from list or using map.
  3. Select Boarding location from list or using map.
  4. Or select the route you normally travel on to narrow down your boarding / alighting.
  5. Select your ticket and add it to the Basket or choose ‘Buy Now’.
  6. Check your Order, remove any unwanted tickets, apply any Voucher Codes you have, enter your Payment Details (credit, debit card or PayPal), choose whether the ticket(s) are for you or if you want to gift to another registered mLink user and then select 'Purchase'.
  7. Your order is then processed and once payment is successful your tickets are ready to use within your Ticket Wallet in-app.

Your Ticket Wallet

  1. All your tickets separated into three categories - 'Active', 'Ready to Use' and 'Expired'. Active - All tickets already activated and available for use can be found under the 'Active' tab
  2. Ready to use - Tickets available for activation are under the 'Ready to use' tab.
  3. Expired - Invalid tickets which have previously been activated but have since become invalid can be found under the 'Expired' tab. Expired tickets cannot be used for travel.
  4. Change your personal details by choosing 'Option' and updating these under 'Your account'. 

Using Your Current Ticket

  1. Quick access to your most recently activated ticket, ready for display to staff for inspection. mLink tickets should always be shown to the driver, conductor or any Translink staff when requested.
  2. mLink tickets must be activated before boarding the bus or train. Mobile phones must have sufficient power for the entire journey. You will be required to pay full cash fare for your entire journey with no refund possible if you fail to activate your mLink ticket before boarding or cannot present a valid ticket for the entire journey if, for example, phone battery dies, phone malfunctions or phone is left at home.
  3. If you want to travel beyond the Metro 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. If you purchase a Metro single, please select the appropriate zone you intend to travel within.
  4. If you intend to travel beyond your designated rail station you must purchase an additional cash ticket for the extra portion of your journey before you travel beyond the alighting station shown on your mLink ticket.

Ticket Transfer

mLink tickets can be transferred to use for travel on NI Railways, Ulsterbus or Goldliner services after 6.30pm for the same journey and within the date validity of the ticket (within Northern Ireland only).

To avail of ticket transfer you simply present your valid mLink ticket for inspection to the bus driver or ticket staff/conductor as normal. 

Eligible tickets for transfer are as follows: 

Ulsterbus / Goldliner: 

  • mLink Tickets 
  • Day Return 
  • 1 Month Return 
  • Sunday Bus Rambler Ticket 

NI Railways: 

  • mLink Tickets 
  • Paper Day Ticket 
  • Paper 3 Day Select Return 
  • Paper Weekly Ticket 
  • Paper Monthly Ticket 
  • Sunday Day Tracker 

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