Shetland Islands Council is reminding anyone aged 60+ or with disabled travel concessions to show their National Entitlement Card (NEC) when they make a booking or travel on Northlink Ferries.
Changes have recently been made to paper ferry vouchers issued by Transport Scotland, which now no longer display the ‘C+’ and the ‘Visual’ symbols for anyone eligible to have a companion to provide assistance when travelling.
Shetland Island Council is reassuring anyone with those entitlements that these are still in place, including the companion entitlement, despite the paper vouchers no longer carrying these symbols.
Anyone travelling on Northlink Ferries must still carry their National Entitlement Card – commonly known as a ‘free bus pass’ – which will show the correct entitlement symbols. If the card is not carried, the passenger and/or companion may still be liable to be charged for their travel.
Paper vouchers must be presented to Northlink Ferries in conjunction with their National Entitlement Card to prove entitlement.
New paper ferry vouchers are being issued in batches numerically from Transport Scotland in Glasgow, and should be with valid card holders by 31st March 2022.
Anyone who needs to update their 60+ or Disabled NEC cards or their personal details, such as address or contact information, can contact the Council’s Transport Planning Service on 01595 744868 or by email
More information on ferry concessions for residents of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles is available on the Transport Scotland website