Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

489. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the Leap card scheme to include other public transport services not covered by the scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits which commuters can avail of such as reduced fares and discount features should the scheme be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22117/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport,  I have responsibility for policy and for the overall funding of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure including the Leap Card Scheme.

The NTA recently marked the sale of the 3 millionth Leap Card.  The card is a convenient way for passengers to pay for public transport services in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. The NTA reports that of the 3 million cards issued to date, close to 250,000 have been sold in the first four months of 2018 alone. Since the sale of the first edition over 6 years ago, the Leap Card has enabled 495 million journeys – 63.5 million of which took place from January to April 2018. The card has emerged as the preferred payment for passengers in many Irish cities, with consumers using it to save 20% on their public transport journeys. In the Greater Dublin Area, some 70% of public transport journeys are now paid using Leap. Overall the scheme has reached monthly turnover of €23.3 million per month (April 2018) - or over €633 million since its launch.

The NTA has been gradually extending the applicability of the Leap card system and will continue to do so and to respond positively to customer feedback, so that new innovations are integrated into the scheme.  The NTA wishes to ensure that Leap continues to grow as the safe payment method of choice for consumer who are increasingly moving to public transport modes.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.