Mr. Tim Gaston:

I am not sure if we can give the exact numbers now, but there is no cost to keeping cards alive. It is just a record on the database and there is no cost in maintaining it. The cardholder could recoup the card value, if he or she choose to do so. We took advice from those who ran other similar schemes when we initiated the Leap card. We put a two-year period on the card. The terms and conditions state that after two years the NTA has the right to take back the funds. We have, however, chosen to not do so.

Even if the card is five or seven years old, it will still operate if taken to a machine. If the person brings it to the NTA or one of the other mechanisms, we will refund it in full. Mr. L'Estrange will respond on the issue of dormant accounts.