Card could prove a Leap in unifying public transport
The Leap card — similar to the popular Oyster card used on London’s bus and rail system — can be used on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and rail services in the greater Dublin area.
It is expected that the scheme will be extended to include Bus Éireann services by summer 2012 and Irish Rail’s mainline services at a later stage.
Minister for Public Transport Alan Kelly yesterday announced details of the final testing phase of the €55.6m project, which was first proposed back in 1999.
However, progress on the integrated ticketing system was delayed for many years due to the lack of co-operation between different transport companies.
“It shouldn’t have taken this length of time,” said Mr Kelly yesterday.
He said the system would be tested across Dublin for a few more weeks before it is formally launched in December.
He predicted the Leap ticket would prove highly popular with commuters as the one card can be used on a variety of transport modes and will encourage more people to use public transport.
Commuters will be able to purchase the Leap cards at a variety of outlets and top them up when required.
Anyone using a Leap card will be eligible for the existing, discounted smart-card rates on Luas and DART services, while they will be charged the equivalent cash fare on Dublin Bus services.
The minister said that fare structures would be also reviewed to encourage commuters to take up use of the Leap card. However, he acknowledged that public transport companies had still applied for fare increases, despite any savings which may accrue from introducing of integrated ticketing.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed that people using annual and monthly commuter tickets will be able to continue to use them well into 2012.
The NTA has called for 500 volunteers to test the system over the next few weeks. The first 500 people to log on to a special website today to participate in the final trial will receive a free €20 Leap card.
- integratedticketing.ie
