Privilege Ticket Identity Card (vPTI/PTI Card) Regulations

Permanent, contract and fixed-term employees of CIÉ* are eligible to apply for a Privilege Ticket Identity Card (PTI card) after one month’s service. Retired employees and widows/widowers of a CIÉ employee may also be eligible to apply subject to regulations. The employee, retired employee, or widow/widower of a CIÉ employee is the primary cardholder. The primary cardholder may apply for vPTI/PTI cards for their spouse/partner and dependents subject to regulations. vPTI refers to the virtual version of the Privilege Ticket Identity Card which will be e-mailed to the primary cardholder, PTI refers to a Privilege Ticket Identity Card which is printed.

The issue of a Privilege Ticket Identity Card (vPTI/PTI Card) to any eligible family member is solely at the discretion of the primary card holder. Applications for all cards will only be accepted from the primary cardholder and vPTI Cards will only be e-mailed to the e-mail address of the primary cardholder.

vPTi cards must not be printed, they should be presented for use on a smartphone. Where the primary card holder does not have access to a smartphone a PTI card may be printed by the relevant Human Resources Department. PTI cards will only be printed in exceptional circumstances.

If documents, provided to CIÉ to establish eligibility for travel facilities are presented in a language other than Irish or English e.g., a birth or adoption certificate, then the primary cardholder must supply an official or certified translation of the document at their own expense.

Where the employment of the Primary Card Holder has been terminated, all travel facilities documents issued must be returned for cancellation, and cards issued to spouse/partner and dependents will also be withdrawn.

Employees are responsible for the safe custody and proper use of all travel facilities documents issued to themselves and members of their families. Employees are responsible for any abuse or irregularity committed by members of their families even if the employee is not travelling with their family.

The PTI card may not be used by spouses/partners and dependents to purchase reduced-rate tickets for business purposes.
vPTI and PTI cards are not transferable. Any person guilty of improperly using or transferring any travel facilities documents or attempting to do so is liable to prosecution, withdrawal of facilities and if an employee disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Free and reduced rate travel facilities are not a condition of service but a concession which may be altered or withdrawn at any time by CIÉ or any of the other Undertakings who are parties to the travel facility arrangements.

*for the purpose of this document ‘employees of CIÉ’ refers to employees of the CIÉ Group of Companies, these are CIÉ Holding Company, Iarnrod Eireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and CIÉ Tours.

Spouse

For the purpose of travel facilities, a spouse is defined as the husband or wife of an employee. A spouse will be added to the Travel Facilities Computer System upon receipt of a copy of the original Marriage Certificate. Receipt of the certificate will be recorded; a copy will not be retained.

To be eligible for travel facilities the primary card holder and spouse must be living at the same address.

The primary cardholder can hold travel facilities for only one eligible spouse at any time.
A new spouse can only be added once all cards/passes issued to the previous spouse or partner have either been returned or have expired and 5 years have passed since the expiry or return date of the passes.

If the marriage certificate is presented in a language other than Irish or English, the employee must supply an official or certified translation of the full marriage cert at their own expense.

Upon legal separation, divorce or if the primary cardholder is no longer living with the spouse, eligibility for all travel facilities ceases. In these circumstances, CIÉ must be advised and all travel facilities issued to the spouse must be returned for cancellation.

Partner

A partner is a person with whom the employee has cohabited within a meaningful relationship for at least 5 years. The employee will be required to declare this relationship and supply documentary proof of the cohabitation. Where documentary evidence is not available a sworn affidavit will be accepted. A Partner Declaration Form must also be provided.

Documentary proof must be from a formally recognised third party, e.g. a bill or bank statement to both the employee and spouse/partner at the same address, rates, and electricity statements. It must show the partner has been a resident at the employee's address for at least 5 years.

If any supporting documentation is presented in a language other than Irish or English, the primary cardholder must supply an official or certified translation

To be eligible for travel facilities the primary card holder and partner must be living at the same address.

The eligibility for travel facilities ceases for a partner when the terms of the Partner Declaration form are no longer valid. This means if the employee and partner are no longer living together and/or there is no longer a close and meaningful relationship between the primary cardholder and partner. In these circumstances, CIÉ must be advised and all travel facilities issued to the spouse must be returned for cancellation

Dependent children

For travel facilities purposes the term ‘Dependent Children’ is defined as the employee’s own children, stepchildren, long-term fostered children (continually fostered by the employee for 12 months or more), legally or informally adopted children.

They should meet the following requirements:

The child must be totally dependent upon the employee and their spouse or partner whom they co-habitat with, they must not receive support or income from another biological parent, work or benefits which total more than the current weekly limit.
They must live permanently and continuously with the employee (except when living away from home for education.
They must be under 25 years of age and not in receipt of an income more than the permitted income limit.
Children over 25, who are incapable of earning an income, may, on the production of proof, continue to receive travel facilities.
In cases where dependent children, who ceased to be eligible for travel facilities on taking up employment, and returning to full-time education, may have their travel facilities restored. Such cases must, however, be submitted to the Head of Group Human Resources, CIÉ, Heuston Station for consideration.

An initial application for travel facilities for a dependent child must be accompanied by a Dependent Application Form, a copy of the Birth Cert and any other documents as required.

If any supporting documentation is presented in a language other than Irish or English, the primary cardholder must supply an official or certified translation

Eligibility of a dependent who is not the biological child of the primary cardholder ceases if the eligibility has been established through a spouse or partner when the spouse or partner is no longer eligible to receive travel facilities.

A dependent can only have one set of travel facilities issued to them. If both parents are employees of the CIÉ Group then the parents need to determine who will apply for staff travel facilities for the dependent.

Eligibility for a dependent is ceased permanently if:
The dependent is no longer permanently residing with the primary cardholder or
The dependent marries or commences a similar relationship, irrespective of the place of residence or
The dependent has an income that is in excess of the current weekly income (this figure is available from your HR Department

The eligibility for travel facilities ceases for a dependent child when the terms of the Dependent Application Form are no longer valid. This means if the dependent no longer meets the requirements detailed above. In these circumstances, CIÉ must be advised and all travel facilities issued to the dependent must be returned for cancellation.

Privilege tickets may be used only by the person in whose favour they are issued and in the class of carriage or in a train or ship for which they are available. If any ticket is used in contravention of this condition the full appropriate public fare for the journey will be charged as if no payment had been made for the ticket.

Privilege tickets are issued subject to any regulations and notices from time to time issued by the Company relating to the use of such tickets.

Special note:

Any person guilty of improper use or transfer of the PTI/vPTI or privilege ticket obtained on presentation of such PTI/vPTI or attempting to do so will be liable to prosecution, withdrawal of facilities and if an employee disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Privilege tickets are issued subject to any regulations and notices from time to time issued by the Company relating to the use of such tickets. By accessing or using our travel facility services, you agree to comply with these regulations.

Data Protection Compliance: