The country's main transport providers yesterday launched an action plan to enhance their services for older people.
Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Rural Transport Programme and Veolia Transport - which operates the Luas - say the programme will minimise barriers older people face when using public transport.
The companies also agreed to develop communication materials to serve the needs of older people better and to ensure they provide a positive profile of older customers.
Access to transport can play a crucial role in the quality of lives of older people who may not have access to any other form of transport.
The launch of the action plan was part of the "Say No To Ageism" week which is organised by the Equality Authority, the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Health Service Executive.
Niall Crowley, chief executive of the Equality Authority, said the work of the five companies provided valuable leadership for other sectors in seeking to combat ageist attitudes and practices.
"The work done has demonstrated the importance of creating a workplace culture that is conscious of age and ageism, using staff training, workplace posters and internal communication systems," he said.
Pat O'Toole, of the National Council on Ageing and Older People, underlined the importance of a quality system of public transport which meets the needs of older people.
"For an older person, transport can be his or her lifeline to the local community for all kinds of services including medical care and is of crucial importance," he said. "For that reason the council is very pleased with the anti-ageism initiative being implemented by the various transport providers and it is hoped that we can develop the programme further in the future."
Transport providers said they will also raise awareness on the issue of ageism within their companies.
