We will modernise the way ferry vouchers are used and combine bus passes and ferry vouchers into the Saltire card – also known as the bus pass, National Entitlement Card (NEC) and Young Scot Card – meaning there will no longer be a need to hold separate paper vouchers each year.
This makes it easier to pre-book travel by eliminating the need to wait for a paper voucher to arrive in the post before booking, and reduces the risk of losing your voucher. It’s part of our efforts to make public services modern and efficient, providing better travel information, providing new insights and helping to protect the integrity of the system.
This will apply from April 2024 to everyone receiving a ferry voucher in Orkney and Shetland.
What will change?
Digital vouchers will be introduced for everyone who collects a ferry voucher in Orkney and Shetland in April 2024. Letters and information about this will be issued to all cardholders in early 2024.
This means that instead of receiving a paper voucher, the voucher will be digitised and stored on your saltirecard, also known as a bus pass, National Entitlement Card, Young Scot card etc. The digital voucher gives you exactly the same as the paper voucher.
Please see below for details on how to obtain and use your digital ferry voucher.
How do I get a voucher?
There are different ways to add ferry vouchers to your card and see how many vouchers you have left. You can do this using your smartphone, but if you don’t have a smartphone there are other options too. See below for more details.
Option 1 – Use the Transport Scot Pass Collect app
Simply download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store and follow the on-screen instructions to receive your ferry voucher. It’s easy to use and only takes a few minutes.
Learn more about the app and watch the video on how to use it
Option 2 – Visit a Help Spot or Ask a Friend
You can also ask someone with a smartphone to download the app and add the voucher to their card on your behalf. This is safe, fast and your personal information will not be seen, stored or shared. Find out more about the app and how to use it.
Further support can also be received from designated ‘Help Spots’ in Orkney and Shetland – a list of these spots is provided in the Contact Us section below and will also be included in any letters or leaflets you receive.
Option 3 – Ask ferry staff for help
Serco NorthLink and Pentland Ferries ferry staff can add the voucher to your card at the local office or ferry port, or if you prefer, you can ask them to do this for you when you check in on the day of travel. You can also book your trip before the voucher is actually added to your card.
How to check your voucher
If you have a digital voucher, you can check how many you have left in the same way that you got your voucher, or you can contact your local council travel team using the contact details below.
How to book your trip
Have your card ready and tell the ferry operator that you are a discount card holder and have a digital voucher – you don’t need the voucher number, the operator will ask you if they need your card details.
There is no need to place the voucher on the card before booking.
During the trip, ferry staff will scan your card to redeem your voucher. If you need to add a voucher to an existing card and don’t have the opportunity to do this before traveling, you can ask ferry staff when you check in on the day. Remember to take your card with you during the trip, or you will have to pay for the trip.
Help and Support
FAQ Cards Do I need a new card for my ferry voucher?
All existing cards can be used with the digital voucher, however if your card is damaged you can get a new one by applying online at getyournec.scot or by contacting your local council office.
What happens if I lose my card?
Please contact your local city hall and have a new card sent to you by mail. You will not be able to travel using your ferry voucher until you receive your new card. You can book a trip but you will not be able to actually travel until you receive your new card.
How to get a voucher I don’t have a mobile phone, how can I get a voucher?
You do not need to have your mobile phone to receive your digital voucher. You can get your voucher in several ways. Choose the method that works best for you. Your options are explained in the “How to receive your voucher” section above.
If someone downloads my voucher using their phone, will the voucher be stored on their phone?
No. The ferry voucher is stored on the card only.
If I’ve used the app to download someone else’s voucher to their card, can I download my own voucher to my card?
Yes, don’t worry, you can use the app to add vouchers to any number of cards – this will not affect your own vouchers.
Can you notify me every year that there are new vouchers to download?
Yes, we’ll send you a letter to let you know when next year’s coupons are available to download onto your card, as well as the various ways you can download them.
Using a Voucher If my digital voucher is nearing its expiry date, can I use it to book travel for next year and use it then?
No. Just like a paper voucher, a digital voucher must be used before the expiry date. Vouchers are valid for 12 months, from April 1st to March 31st.
What happens if there is an internet outage or power outage at the ferry terminal?
The system will work even without the internet, and ferry operators have procedures in place to allow travel to continue.
The ticket machines that scan the cards are battery-powered, so a power outage won’t affect the system.
How will I get my voucher refunded if the ferry is cancelled?
Your ferry voucher cannot be redeemed until you have checked in. In the unlikely event that a service is cancelled, you will be rebooked on the next available service and your voucher will be valid for your next itinerary.
inquiry
If you require further assistance please contact your local council or Transport for Scotland using the details below: If you have any comments about digital ferry vouchers you can submit them to Transport for Scotland using the details below.
Orkney Islands Council
Phone number: 01856 873535
Email: [email protected]
Shetland Islands Council
Phone number: 01595 744868
Email: [email protected]
Transport for Scotland
Toll free: 0800 328 5690 Please select option 2
Email: [email protected]
reservation
For assistance with bookings please contact the relevant ferry operator.
Help Spot
For further support in obtaining and verifying your digital voucher, please contact your local city hall or any of the following help spots:
Age Scotland (Orkney)
To arrange support in Kirkwall or anywhere else, please contact us.
Address – 46 Victoria Street, Kirkwall
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01856 872438
Eday Partnership Wellbeing Team (Orkney)
Please contact us to arrange support using the details below.
Name – Ann Byers
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01857 622269
Orkney Library and Archives (Orkney)
If you need assistance, please contact the Front Reception Desk and the Main Library Issuance Desk.
Address – 44 Junction Road, Kirkwall
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01856 873166
Rousay, Egylsay and Wyre Development Trust (Orkney)
Please contact us to arrange support in Rousay, Egilsay or Wyre.
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01856 821229
Shapinsay Development Trust (Orkney)
Please contact us to arrange support using the details below.
Name – Alison McDougal
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 07867 622814
Stromness Library (Orkney)
Please contact the main reception desk for assistance.
Address – Warehouse Building, 2-12 Victoria Street, Stromness
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01856 850 907
Stronsay Development Trust (Orkney)
Please contact us to arrange support using the details below.
Name – Anna Bliss Davis
Email address – [email protected]
Phone – 07590 543008
THAW (Orkney)
To arrange support in Kirkwall or anywhere else, please contact us.
Address – Unit 6, Anchor Building, Bridge Street, Kirkwall
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01856 878388
Westray Development Trust (Orkney)
Please contact us to arrange support using the details below.
Name – Erica Pottinger
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 07974 108983
Citizens Advice Bureau (Shetland)
Please visit the reception desk for assistance.
Address – Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01595 694696
Royal Voluntary Service (Shetland)
To arrange support in Lerwick or anywhere else, please contact us.
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01595 743914
Shetland Community Connections (Shetland)
To arrange support in Lerwick or anywhere else, please contact us.
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01595 745093
Shetland Library (Shetland)
Please visit the reception desk for assistance.
Address – Lower Hillhead, Lerwick
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 01595 743868