Minister Donohoe launches Leap Card in Limerick - Shannonsiders can now avail of 20% savings
Further roll-out of scheme in March – to include TaxSaver, Student and Child tickets
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, was in Limerick today (Monday) with the CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham and Regional Manager South-West, Bus Éireann, Miriam Flynn, to launch the Leap Card in the city.
Bus Éireann customers in Limerick can now use the Leap Card to “pay-as-they-go” – using the Card’s travel credit facility to benefit from the cheaper Leap fares, amounting to 20% off the cash price for their journey. In addition, customers can pre-load the 24 hour Adult Pass for the Red Zone onto their Leap Card – a great alternative for better value and more convenient travelling.
Leap Cards can be bought and topped up in a range of local shops and newsagents, who display the Leap Card sign. The www.leapcard.ie website also provides helpful information and customer support about the Card and the benefits for users.
The Leap Card is already available on public transport services in the Greater Dublin Area, as well as Bus Éireann’s services in Cork city and county, and in Galway City. It is planned to extend the Leap Card scheme to Waterford in mid-2015.
Next month, the National Transport Authority will be making further Red Zone products available on Leap, including 7 Day and monthly tickets, TaxSaver tickets (both monthly and annual) and child and student tickets (7 Day and monthly).
Minister Donohoe said: “As a user of the Leap Card myself, I know first-hand the benefits that accrue from having one. Not only do users profit from cheaper fares but it also saves the hassle of having to find the right change in advance of a journey. The roll-out today of Leap in Limerick, follows on from the successful roll-out in Cork, on the bus and train, some time ago. In Dublin, being able to use the Leap Card on the DART - and Iarnród Éireann Commuter Services in the Greater Dublin Area - and also on the Luas, Dublin Bus and some private operators, has served to encourage people to use public transport in greater numbers. I have no doubt that that too will be the case in Limerick in the months and years ahead.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said: “We are delighted to launch the Leap Card here in Limerick today. Having access to such significant travel savings is great news for everyone, not to forget the convenience of the card, and not having to find the correct amount of change as you board the bus.”
Miriam Flynn, Regional Manager, South-West Bus Éireann said: “Following on from the success with Leap Card services in Greater Dublin Area, Cork and Galway, this is excellent news for Limerick commuters. The introduction of Leap Card here will facilitate quicker payment of bus fares, and customers will have the option to purchase a single ticket at a 20% reduction. They can also take advantage of weekly and monthly Leap products. We’re also looking forward to the introduction of both Child and Student Leap Cards on our Limerick services, which will be very beneficial to a wide range of commuters.”
Monday, 16th February, 2015