THE LONG-AWAITED integrated transport ticket for Dublin goes live today, meaning commuters will be able to use Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail services with one card.

The launch of the Leap Card follows 15,000 successful test journeys by members of the public – and will make travelling in the capital cheaper and more attractive, according to Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly.

Kelly said the scheme would be gradually built upon and developed throughout 2012, and additional functionalities will be added to include Bus Éireann service, some private bus operators, children tickets, rambler, Travel 90 and student cards.

How it works

The Leap Card means commuters won’t have to carry exact change or queue up to buy single tickets to use public transport. After buying the card, a person adds credit which is then deducted in relation to each trip taken.

The card can be topped up online at leapcard.ie, at Leap Card agents (PayZone) or a Luas ticket machines. Commuters are able to register their Leap Cards and have them blocked if they are reported lost or stolen.

Time-based tickets are not currently available.

Luas

Touch On at a Validator on the platform before you get on the tram and Touch Off when you get off the tram. A default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. Touching On and Off in this way will ensure the correct smartcard fare is deducted from your Leap Card.

DART and Commuter Rail Services

Touch On at the platform entry gate or Validator before your journey and Touch Off at the platform exit gate or Validator after your journey. As with Luas, a default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. The card can be used between stations within the ‘Short Hop Zone’. This Zone includes all stations in the Dublin area from Greystones to Balbriggan, and Commuter Stations from Dublin City Centre to Maynooth, and from Dublin Heuston to Hazelhatch.

Dublin Bus

When using Leap Card on Dublin Bus, public transport users should:

Go to the driver: tell the driver your destination and hold your Leap Card to the target on the driver’s ticket machine and the correct fare will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

If you are paying for a fare of over 13 stages or Outer Suburban you can Touch On at the Smartcard Validator on the right hand side as you enter the bus. The default fare of €2.20 will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

For more information go to leapcard.ie