Isles Residents Scheme
There is a Smartcard for local concessionary travel from islands to the mainland of Orkney. In order to meet the required eligibility criteria residents must:
- Be in possession of the National Entitlement Card.
- Be aged 65 or over; or disabled (see criteria on application form for entitlement).
- Be a permanent resident on one of the isles: Eday, Egilsay, Flotta, Graemsay, Hoy, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay, Stronsay, Westray and Wyre.
Please note that holiday homes and holiday homes used on a commercial basis do not qualify for this travel concession.
Subject to Orkney Islands Council continuing the local concessionary entitlement scheme*, the Smartcard will be automatically 'reloaded' each year and should therefore be treated with care and not discarded. The current entitlement is 24 single trips per year (April to March) with Orkney Ferries. Residents of Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay are able to use their National Entitlement Card for use on the air service.
*Please note that from 30th September to 31st March paper vouchers will be allocated to eligible residents with remaining entitlement for 2024/25 period. New cards will be issued to residents in February/March period.
Replacement charges may be made for lost or damaged cards.
For further information and details on applying, please follow this link - Concessionary Travel (orkney.gov.uk)
