Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
20. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposed €96 monthly Leap card ticket and €960 annual ticket for Dublin public transport in light of the climate and cost living crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4417/24]
View answerOn the 27th of April 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published a new National Fares Strategy. The Fares Strategy followed the previous implementation of a simplified fares structure for Dublin, which combined elements of distance and equitability between routes, and proposes an approach for the rest of Ireland aimed at providing better value, greater transparency, and equality in respect of journey distance.
Subsequently, on the 18th of January, the NTA published its fare determination which introduces a number of specific changes to fares, including the formalisation of new ‘Dublin City’ and ‘Dublin Commuter’ Zone boundaries, simplified Leap capping, as well as changes to some Intercity Rail and town bus fares. The new ‘Dublin City Zone’ will now include areas such as Ashbourne and Ratoath providing better value for passengers from these areas.
Also announced as part of the Fare Determination is a new all-modes ticket to be introduced by the end of Q3, which will offer full access to Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas and Irish Rail services in the Dublin City Zone.
The ticket is to cost €960 annually or €96 monthly, representing a saving of 38% compared to the existing equivalent of €1550 and €155. Additional savings can be made by customers availing of the product via Taxsaver. Similarly, a weekly Leap cap covering services provided by all operators in the City Zone will be €24, compared to the current equivalent of €32.
These new tickets will offer further savings to regular public transport users, on top of the savings already being experienced under the various fare initiatives which continue throughout 2024.
I believe that continued investment in such fare initiatives, paired with the continued roll-out of new services, and our extensive capital investment programme will help to ensure that Government delivers on its objective to provide all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options.
