Dublin's "Leap card" (integrated ticketing e-purse)

[GM078]

Haven't seen this mentioned on the site yet, but might be of use to those who visit Dublin, even now and then (not that there's much to see now from an enthusiast's POV). The "Leap card" was launched recently, finally bringing intergrated ticketing to the fair city after years of discussion. So far it's valid on the Luas, Iarnród Éireann short hop zone (Greystones/Hazelhatch/Maynooth/Balbriggan) and all Dublin Bus services. Fares are about to go up in the CIÉ companies and Luas but leap card users pay a reduced fare, might be worth checking out.

For more info: https://www.leapcard.ie/Home.aspx

 

[4SRKT]

The very phrase 'e-purse' makes me cringe. Please tell me CIE aren't actually using these words......

 

[WestCoast]

What's happening to the existing schemes like the Dublin Bus and Luas smartcards, which were not integrated. Have they all been replaced with this system?

 

[radamfi]

The implementation on buses is rather crude. Whereas other systems use either a flat fare system or a 'touch in - touch out' system, meaning no need to interact with the driver, you have to tell the driver what fare you want and the driver deducts it from your card. If you want to pay the maximum fare, you can use the standalone reader away from the driver.
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What's happening to the existing schemes like the Dublin Bus and Luas smartcards, which were not integrated. Have they all been replaced with this system?

https://www.leapcard.ie/ServiceSupport/SwapOutNonITSCard.aspx

Existing Luas and DART and Commuter Rail Smart Card holders can get a FREE Leap Card by requesting it here. By availing of this offer you will not be able to claim a refund for balances that are less than zero (reserve credit) on your old Smart Card.
What happens after I submit this request?

Use all of your ePurse balance on your old Smart Card
A free Leap Card will be sent to the postal address you provided
Once you get your free Leap Card, just top it up and go!

 

[WestCoast]

The implementation on buses is rather crude. Whereas other systems use either a flat fare system or a 'touch in - touch out' system, meaning no need to interact with the driver, you have to tell the driver what fare you want and the driver deducts it from your card. If you want to pay the maximum fare, you can use the standalone reader away from the driver

That's an interesting way of doing it, what's wrong with using a touch out system on buses like with Trent Barton's Mango Card in Nottinghamshire?

It reminds me of the Spanish 'bonus card' system, which isn't a smartcard in most cities/provinces where it is used.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I take it there is no discounted fares on this (like with Oyster)?

 

[radamfi]

I take it there is no discounted fares on this (like with Oyster)?

Tomorrow, cash fares will increase by an average of 15% whereas Leap Card fares will rise by an average of 5%

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Fare-Information/Fares/
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That's an interesting way of doing it, what's wrong with using a touch out system on buses like with Trent Barton's Mango Card in Nottinghamshire?

I would also favour that system and is also used for the Dutch nationwide OV-Chipkaart. Gothenburg has an interesting hybrid system. If you are travelling within the same zone where a flat fare applies, you only need to touch in. If you are travelling outside the zone they you can press a button when you touch in and you have to touch out.

The problem with a touch in touch out system is that people can fare dodge by touching out a long way before they actually get off, so maybe this has put off the authorities in Dublin. Maybe they also don't want complaints from people who forget to touch out. It also requires the reader to always know what the location of the bus is. This is controlled by GPS in most places but maybe Dublin buses aren't suitably equipped.

Needless to say, the Dublin system still is not really integrated as you are still paying for buses and trains separately and even bus to bus transfers are not free. There also appears to be no daily capping like London.

 

[Csalem]

Capping and transfer discounts are being introduced during the year. Also to be included on the card are season tickets. It'll just be a matter of time, and don't forget it has taken twelve years from announcement to implementation for the leap, so a few more months to get the full benefits is not too much of a wait!

 

[radamfi]

Capping and transfer discounts are being introduced during the year. Also to be included on the card are season tickets. It'll just be a matter of time, and don't forget it has taken twelve years from announcement to implementation for the leap, so a few more months to get the full benefits is not too much of a wait!

Thanks for the info. I think removing the need to ask the driver to deduct money from the card should be the greatest priority, though. That is pretty embarrassing, to be honest!

I'll be interested to know what is meant by 'transfer discount'. Does that mean travelling on a bus ride needing a change will cost the same as if there was a through service?

 

[Csalem]

I suspect the transfer discount will be the same as capping, in that you don't pay more than the equivalent one day bus and rail. However at the moment it is possible to get a city centre add-on to a rail ticket which allows you to get from Heuston to the city centre, so it may be something similar to that.
The problem with Dublin is that we still operate a stage fare system. If the buses had a flat fare like in London it would be much easier to use Leap.

 

[radamfi]

Even London is not that clever as a single bus trip involving a change costs twice as much as the same trip on a through bus and a single trip made up of buses and tubes/trains have the bus and tube/train portions charged separately.