Leap Card Live As Gov Slammed On Fares

The Leap Card, promising cheaper travel, has gone on sale to commuters in the greater Dublin area as the Government faces criticism over last week's fares increase.

Minister for Transport Alan Kelly with the National Transport Authority launched the integrated transport ticket for Dublin enabling people to switch between Bus, Luas, Dart and Rail services with one ticket.

Public transport users will be able to purchase and top up their Leap Card at more than 350 authorised Leap Card agents (Payzone) across Dublin and online at www.leapcard.ie

However, the launch comes just as Fianna Fáil Transport spokesperson Timmy Dooley slammed the Government's proposed increases to bus and rail fares from January, saying they will impact on the low paid, unemployed and those on social welfare the most.

The increases range from 3% to 15%, prompting Deputy Dooley to say the prospect of the increases in Dublin Bus fares will come as a "major shock" to commuters and will impact on those on low incomes the most.

Deputy Dooley said: “These increases will take effect at a very difficult time for commuters and there is also concern among communities about service reductions.

“Over recent years while budgets were very difficult they were based on the principle that those who could pay the most should pay the most. This principle has been abandoned by Fine Gael and Labour. Budget 2012 places the most onerous burden on those who can least afford to pay.”

Luas fares will also increase along with fares on Bus Éireann's local, commuter and city services. The National Transport Authority has also approved fare increases of an average 6% for Irish Rail and DART services.

But launching the Leap Card on Monday, Minister Kelly, said the Leap Card would be among the cheapest ways to get around Dublin.

"It will make using public transport more attractive and make it easier to get around the city. Our testing phase produced over 15,000 successful journeys. This represents huge progress for commuters and it has been one of my biggest priorities since taking office,"

(DW)