Minister Launches Free Trip Trial

A new travel card is bring launched on Friday, with the first 500 customers to sign up getting free travel.

Minister for Transport Alan Kelly unveiled the Leap Card, which will help communters and travellers get around Dublin's transport network, as customer-testers are called to sign-up.

The minister and National Transport Authority is calling for 500 customers aged 16 and over to assist in the final testing of the integrated transport ticketing system - Leap Card - for the Greater Dublin Area.

From Friday, customers will begin to see the rollout of Leap Card labels on machines and in Payzone shops across the city with the final phase of customer testing to commence prior to launch.

The call for testers is part of a phased programme that will see Leap Card introduced within weeks, with 500 early adopters sought from the general public receiving a free €20 topped-up card.

Those interested can log onto www.integratedticketing.ie to participate in this testing phase.

Welcoming the news and unveiling the Leap Card today, Alan Kelly said: "It is great to see this scheme nearing completion and positive for commuters. The new Leap Card will be easy to use and will be a real help for people travel around the city by Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail services.

"We encourage people to sign up for this final testing stage as goodwill ambassadors, and once we get feedback from users, the card will be introduced for wider public usage within a matter of weeks. It is one of my top priorities as Minister".

Gerry Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority said: "Of course, people who currently use annual and monthly tickets can be assured that their cards will continue to work as normal, alongside the new Leap Card, well into 2012. Once the Leap Card is launched to the public, we will be working on enhancing the product further, bringing different operators and products into the scheme."

(DW)