Over one million Leap Cards sold since launch

The National Transport Authority (NTA), Ireland has announced more than one million Leap Cards have sold since its launch in December 2011.

The new transport card accounts for more than 60 percent of paid public transport journeys in Dublin. The card is also widely used in Galway, Cork and Limerick.

Passengers purchasing the Leap Card can save 20 percent on journeys, this accounts for the one million cards sold so far. Of this, some 600,000 are adult cards, a further 260,000 are student cards, 80,000 are child cards and 60,000 are visitor cards. The scheme overall has reached monthly turnover of €15.4 million per month (March 2015) – or over €263 million since its launch.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe TD commented on the milestone: “The fact that we are celebrating this significant milestone is testament to the work of the NTA and to the value for money offering that is available to the travelling public through the Leap Card. As the scheme is further rolled-out across the coming years and as it is further developed to encourage greater use, these figures are set to grow and grow. Where it is in use, Irish commuters have really taken to the Leap, not just for the savings it gives them, which are substantial, but for the convenience it offers in banishing to the past the search for change for the bus or train.”

Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority said: “We are delighted with the strong progress the Leap Card has made since its launch. A million card sales means that hundreds of thousands of people are benefitting from lower cost transport, as they go to work, to school, or for their leisure activities. And it’s not just a Dublin scheme, the Leap Card is now accepted on Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann services in Cork and on Bus Éireann services in Galway and Limerick, with a roll-out to Waterford planned in the coming months. In addition, the strong take-up of the child card shows that, from a young age, people are integrating public transport use into their day-to-day lives.”