Latest news with #LeapCard
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
'Worrying': There's no deadline for Leap Card replacement as NTA starts paying out to firms
GREEN PARTY LEADER Roderic O'Gorman has said that it is 'worrying' that there is no deadline in place for the plans to introduce contactless payments on public transport over a year into the project. The Spanish technology and defence firm Indra Sistemas SA won a single vendor contract in April of 2024 for the development and installation of contactless payments from the National Transport Authority worth €243m, to be paid out over ten years. O'Gorman told The Journal that Indra is being paid a 'very significant amount of public money' and that it is 'very worrying that neither the Minister for Transport or the NTA can give us a clear date for this project to be finished'. 'Commuters deserve to know when they will be able to benefit from the contactless system,' O'Gorman added. In the last quarter of 2024 the NTA paid €1,396,249 to Indra in purchase orders. These were the first purchase orders paid out to the company. Separate from its contract with Indra, the NTA is also paying for services from the Irish outsourcing firm Abtran for work on the 'next generation ticketing' project. Abtran works with several state agencies. The firm says that it primarily provides project management, ICT and operations services to the NTA. Advertisement It says that its personnel are involved in the implementation of next generation ticketing. 'Assignments are deployed in agreement with the NTA to ensure each resource has the most appropriate skills and experience for the specific needs of the project,' Abtran further states on its site. The NTA paid €2,511,203 to Abtran for 'Ticketing Technologies, Operations, Project and Programme Management' in the same period, but the NTA has not said how much of this was spent on work for the Leap Card replacement project, and how much was spent for other work the firm provides to the agency. The NTA told The Journal that not all of that money will be for work on the next generation ticketing project, though it could not clarify the amount that was. In response to a parliamentary question the NTA said that the initial phase will involve installing over 3,000 new validators across 69 Luas stops, 67 Irish Rail stations, 10 bus depots and more than 1,300 buses in Dublin alone. It said that several teams will be working on installation, but buses can only be worked on when they are not in use, 'i.e primarily at night or on the weekends', which the NTA said will impact the timeline of the first phase of the project. 'A major effort is being put in by the NTA to ensure that this project is delivered as effectively and expeditiously as possible,' it said, adding that however, it will take 'a number of years to successfully deliver the full solution'. The NTA said that it will soon be in a better position to provide an 'exact implementation date', when 'certain project planning activities have been completed'. The NTA did not provide any further comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
15-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Leap Card users warned as new fare zones introduced
Transport for Ireland have confirmed the addition of four new fare zones in Dublin and surrounding areas, which came into effect from April 28. Most fares in Zone 1: TFI Dublin remain unchanged, though there are some changes in other zones. Bus Éireann fare changes are set to come into effect from June 2025. Transport for Ireland have confirmed the addition of four new fare zones in Dublin and surrounding areas, which came into effect from April 28. Pic: Shutterstock Here's everything you need to know… The TFI 90 minute fare in Zone 1 remains unchanged at €2 for an adult; €1 for a young adult/ student and 65c for child leap cards. A daily cap of €6/day for adult; €3 for young adult/student and €1.95 for child leap cards is in place to allow any combination of Dublin City Bus services. The TFI 90 minute fare in Zone 1 remains unchanged at €2 for an adult; €1 for a young adult/ student and 65c for child leap cards. Pic: TFI A cap of €24/week for adults; €12 for young adult/ students and €7.80 for child leap cards is also in place while the monthly and annual cap is €96 and €960 respectively. TFI say: 'If your Zone 1 Dublin City Bus service crosses into Zone 2, both the daily/ weekly cap and the TFI 90-minute fare apply. 'Some of these services include bus routes: 33, 33a, 33x, 65, 65a, L1, L2, L3, X1 and X2.' Adult Leap Card users are warned they need a minimum of €2.50 on their TFI Leap Cards to travel on Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail services. Pic: Nicola_K_Photos/Shutterstock For Commuter Zones 2, 3 and 4, passengers can buy zonal train tickets via the Leap Top-Up App. Zone 2 covers areas including Gormanstown, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins & Naas, Grestones and Kilcoole. Zone 3 covers areas including Drogheda, Enfield, Newbridge and Wicklow Town. Zone 4 includes areas such as Kildare Town and Rathdrum. Adult Leap Card users are warned they need a minimum of €2.50 on their TFI Leap Cards to travel on Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail services. 'You can continue travelling within Zone 1 for free if you travel from Zones 2, 3 or 4 and tap-on again in Zone 1 within 90 minutes of your first tap-on,' TFI stated.
The Journal
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Commuters need minimum of €2.50 on their Leap card to use rail services in new fare zones
ADULTS TRAVELLING ON Irish Rail now need a balance of at least €2.50 on their Leap card in order to use it. It comes with new fare zones introduced by Irish Rail that have expanded the area Leap cards can be used, now covering a 50km radius around Dublin. Until this week, Dublin passengers with short train journeys had been able to pay using their Leap Card but those from towns further away in the commuter belt needed to purchase a ticket. The new zones have been in place since Monday. Here's a reminder of how they work – and what they'll cost you. The Leap area is divided into four zones, which will have different fares applied. Transport for Ireland Transport for Ireland In Zone 1 , where train passengers were already eligible to pay with a Leap Card, the 90-minute fare will remain unchanged (€2 for Adult, €1 for Young Adult/Student and €0.65 for Child Leap Cards). Zone 2 will cover areas including Gormanston, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins & Naas, Greystones and Kilcoole. The fare will cost €3.90 for an Adult, €1.95 for Young Adult/Student and €1.95 for Child Leap Cards. Advertisement Drogheda, Enfield, Newbridge and Wicklow Town will be included in Zone 3 and be charged €6 for an Adult, €3 for Young Adult/Student and €3 for Child Leap Cards. Zone 4 will be furthest from the city centre, covering areas like Kildare Town and Rathdrum at a cost of €7.50 for an Adult, €3.75 for Young Adult/Student and €3.75 for Child Leap Cards. Irish Rail Communications Manager Barry Kenny has explained that the new fares largely won't be reducing costs in Zone 2 but that there will be decreases for those living further out in Zones 3 and 4. Train travel between Dublin Connolly and Newbridge, for example, costs €9.85, while getting from Dublin Heuston to Kildare Town costs €9.75. The weekly cap for travel in all four zones for an Adult Leap Card is €67.20 'We're encouraging all customers who use the Leap Card to make sure to touch on and touch off for your journey, so that you aren't charged a higher fare than you're due,' Kenny said, speaking on RTÉ Radio One last week. He said that cash fares are also available for the journeys but that 'Leap will always be the cheaper option'. Changes to monthly and annual tickets will be applied 'on people's next renewal of those'. With reporting by Lauren Boland Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘It's really shocking': Skerries commuters say there is ‘no justification' for Irish Rail fare hike
A number of commuters waiting at Skerries station on Wednesday morning said they are considering driving to Rush and Lusk as it is now cheaper to catch the train there. Changes introduced by the National Transport Authority (NTA) this week mean commuters travelling from Rush and Lusk benefit from cheaper train fares, but those travelling from nearby Skerries and Balbriggan are facing hikes. Under a major shake-up of rail fares in the Greater Dublin area, the cost of a Leap Card journey from Rush and Lusk to Dublin's Connolly Station has dropped to just €2. However, passengers boarding at nearby Skerries now face a 30pc increase, with Leap fares rising from €3 to €3.90. For cash fares, the cost jumps from €3.90 to €5.10. Under the new fare structure, Balbriggan and Skerries have been grouped into the Dublin Commuter Zone – along with towns in Kildare, Wicklow, and Louth – rather than being included in the Dublin City Zone like other Dublin stations. 'It's really shocking to be honest with you,' said Fiona Monroe, who was waiting on the northern commuter train to Dublin. 'I'm a mother of three, and they are all regular commuters. It's just another pinch point on top of the other costs and high cost of living as well. 'We're so close to the Dublin boundary and we were previously within that commuter belt, so I just think it's very unfair for the NTA to enforce that on us. 'I think now when going to meet friends in town I'll be driving, absolutely. I just feel so annoyed we've been afflicted with this extra cost,' she added. Fine Gael TD Grace Boland, who was among those getting the train into Dublin city centre, said that Skerries and Balbriggan are the only two train stations in the whole of county Dublin seeing fare increases. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'It is simply not acceptable at a time when we're trying to encourage more people to take public transportation,' she said. 'I've been inundated with emails from commuters, but also parents with children travelling into town to go to school.' Deputy Boland also said she has heard of people considering driving to Rush-Lusk railway station instead, as the fare will be cheaper there. 'The problem with going to Rush and Lusk is that it's a very rural road that is already overburdened,' she said. 'It's a very dangerous entrance and exit to the station, a limited carpark and it also defeats the purpose of having public transport in your local town.' The NTA has defended the new fare structure, which introduces a four-zone system stretching out 50 kilometres from Dublin city centre. While most passengers in areas like Drogheda, Laytown and Enfield are seeing significant savings, commuters in Skerries, Balbriggan, Greystones, Kilcock and Sallins are being hit with increases. Alicia Murtagh, who takes the train roughly 10 times a week, said she was disappointed with the fare increases. 'It's going to be challenging. I didn't know this was happening and I'm on minimum wage so it's just an added cost,' she said. Fellow commuter Kevin O'Sullivan said he has signed a petition calling for Skerries to be treated the same as other train stations within Dublin county. 'It seems a bit extreme that down the track in Rush they're paying €2 while we here in Skerries are paying €3.90,' he said. Irene Weldon, whose son and husband regularly commute in and out of the city centre, said she feels it's 'unfair' that Skerries hasn't been included in the Dublin City Zone. 'I can't help but think there's no real justification for it,' she said.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
A tale of two Dublins as new commuter zone sees rail fares almost double from nearby stations
Commuters travelling from north Dublin stations like Rush and Lusk are benefiting from cheaper train fares from today – but those travelling from nearby Skerries and Balbriggan are facing hikes. Local TDs and senators are now demanding the National Transport Authority urgently addresses the disparity. Under a major shake-up of rail fares in the Greater Dublin area, the cost of a Leap Card journey from Rush and Lusk to Dublin's Connolly Station has dropped to just €2. However, passengers boarding at nearby Skerries now face a 30pc increase, with Leap fares rising from €3 to €3.90. For cash fares, the cost jumps from €3.90 to €5.10. Under the new fare structure, Balbriggan and Skerries have been grouped into the Dublin Commuter Zone – along with towns in Kildare, Wicklow, and Louth – rather than being included in the Dublin City Zone like other Dublin stations. Fianna Fáil Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee has branded the changes 'unjust and unacceptable', demanding that Balbriggan and Skerries commuters be treated as 'Dubliners in more than just name'. 'This is simply unfair. People living in Balbriggan and Skerries are Dubliners, and they should be treated the same as every other Dublin commuter,' she said. 'Not only are fares higher, but parking at the train stations is often necessary due to poor public transport connections between residential areas and the railway. 'We need to be encouraging more people onto public transport, not pricing them out of it.' Senator Clifford-Lee is demanding that Balbriggan and Skerries be reclassified into the Dublin City Zone, to ensure they are treated the same as every other rail station in county Dublin. ADVERTISEMENT 'Other commuters are seeing their public transport costs fall. Balbriggan and Skerries commuters should be no different,' she added. 'I am calling on the NTA to urgently review this and deliver fairer fares for the people of Balbriggan and Skerries.' The NTA has defended the new fare structure, which introduces a four-zone system stretching out 50 kilometres from Dublin city centre. While most passengers in areas like Drogheda, Laytown and Enfield are seeing significant savings, commuters in Skerries, Balbriggan, Greystones, Kilcock and Sallins are being hit with increases. But critics say the reforms have deepened unfairness between Dubliners depending on where they live. Previously, Balbriggan and Skerries sat within the Short Hop Zone alongside other Dublin stations. Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West, Grace Boland, said she was 'deeply disappointed' by the increases. 'It's simply not fair. We are trying to encourage people onto public transport, yet we are increasing the fees for communities that are already poorly connected,' she said. 'I have been contacted by many concerned commuters and as someone who relies on public transport to get into work, I can completely appreciate their concerns and frustration around this decision. 'I have highlighted this unfairness with the Minister for Transport, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taoiseach on the floor of the Dáil Chamber, yet nothing has changed. 'I have also had people contacting me saying they're going to drive to Rush-Lusk station and that road is terrible, which completely defeats our climate objections. 'But I can't blame people when they're looking at hefty increases,' she added.
