"Leap" into the unknown: The feedback thread

braniganl · 15-01-2016 11:37pm

Anyone know what the procedure is for claiming back the €5 deposit when returning a leap card? I have 6 spare cards (only a few cent left on most of them apparently) left behind by american relatives who were over during christmas and new year. Is there an office in the city centre I can return them to or is it a post away job?

Thanks

Fred Swanson · 15-01-2016 11:42pm

This post has been deleted.

devnull · 15-01-2016 11:44pm

braniganl wrote: »

Anyone know what the procedure is for claiming back the €5 deposit when returning a leap card? I have 6 spare cards (only a few cent left on most of them apparently) left behind by american relatives who were over during christmas and new year. Is there an office in the city centre I can return them to or is it a post away job?

Thanks

If you register them online you can get them cancelled and apply for a refund into your bank account.

corroonb · 19-01-2016 2:23am

I'm starting a 3rd level course soon and I'll need to buy a Bus Eireann 10-journey ticket every week. I'd like to do this with a Leap Card to avoid using Bus Eireann's terrible website. What are my options for getting the discounted 10-journey ticket on the Leap Card? Can I load a student 10-journey onto the adult leap card or do I need a student leap card?

Can I load funds and/or tickets onto the student leap card without visiting a load location? There are none anywhere near where I live. Apparently the Adult leap card only discounts 3 euro from the price of a 10 journey ticket.

Slippin Jimmy · 19-01-2016 2:10pm

corroonb wrote: »

?

Can I load funds and/or tickets onto the student leap card without visiting a load location? There are none anywhere near where I live. Apparently the Adult leap card only discounts 3 euro from the price of a 10 journey ticket.

If you are getting an Adult leap card at the moment you will need to visit a load location to top up your card. This will soon change when the nfc leap card app is officially launched.

While the ticket may only discount €3 off, it does give you unlimited travel for 7 days as opposed to just 10 journeys.

You would be better off applying for a student leap card if it is applicable to you.

Victor · 21-01-2016 8:08pm

corroonb wrote: »

Can I load a student 10-journey onto the adult leap card or do I need a student leap card?

You need a Student Leap Card. You should be able to get one through school / college or check the website.

What trip are you making that you are concerned about load locations?

MOH · 22-01-2016 2:43am

Victor wrote: »

You need a Student Leap Card. You should be able to get one through school / college or check the website.

What trip are you making that you are concerned about load locations?

In fairness, this far into Leap that should be an irrelevant question. The whole notion of load locations at this point is inane

Poxyshamrock · 22-01-2016 3:36am

Does anyone else in the regional cities feel using Leap Card on buses is so unnecessarily slow? Surely with a flat rate, it would make so much more sense to have a tag on system without needing the driver?
At present, you need to tell the driver you require a single fare rather than using any weekly or monthly tickets that may have been loaded on to your card.

punisher5112 · 22-01-2016 10:51am

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Does anyone else in the regional cities feel using Leap Card on buses is so unnecessarily slow? Surely with a flat rate, it would make so much more sense to have a tag on system without needing the driver?
At present, you need to tell the driver you require a single fare rather than using any weekly or monthly tickets that may have been loaded on to your card.

How would you suggest the machine to know what type of product loaded on card to use?

Poxyshamrock · 22-01-2016 12:41pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

How would you suggest the machine to know what type of product loaded on card to use?

Do Luas and Irish Rail machines not know?
Even Dublin Bus is a lot quicker than Bus Eireann.

devnull · 22-01-2016 1:15pm

The Irish Rail and Luas validators take the period pass or monthly/weekly ticket if that is on the card, if not they take the maximum fare within the LEAP enabled zone when you tag on.

When you tag off they refund the difference between the max fare and the actual fare.

devnull · 22-01-2016 1:16pm

The Irish Rail and Luas validators take the period pass or monthly/weekly ticket if that is on the card, if not they take the maximum fare within the LEAP enabled zone when you tag on.

When you tag off they refund the difference between the max fare and the actual fare.

Poxyshamrock · 22-01-2016 1:19pm

devnull wrote: »

The Irish Rail and Luas validators take the period pass or monthly/weekly ticket if that is on the card, if not they take the maximum fare within the LEAP enabled zone when you tag on.

When you tag off they refund the difference between the max fare and the actual fare.

Could Bus Eireann not just do the same but instead of taking the maximum fare (there is none!) just take the flat fare instead which is €1.60.

Dravokivich · 23-01-2016 9:20am

Poxyshamrock wrote: »

Does anyone else in the regional cities feel using Leap Card on buses is so unnecessarily slow? Surely with a flat rate, it would make so much more sense to have a tag on system without needing the driver?
At present, you need to tell the driver you require a single fare rather than using any weekly or monthly tickets that may have been loaded on to your card.

I think most of the regional services have 2 zones in each location. If you had a ticket on the card, it shouldn't be an issue. But the annoying part is the monthly tickets for these services is based on the calendar month. It doesn't roll over with consideration to the number of days.

23-01-2016 11:30am

I've noticed that whenever I use my Leap card in Galway, I get a "Use Not Allowed. Try Purse" error but if I leave the card on the reader it eventually takes it. Not sure why that is.

Victor · 23-01-2016 2:18pm

Karsini wrote: »

I've noticed that whenever I use my Leap card in Galway, I get a "Use Not Allowed. Try Purse" error but if I leave the card on the reader it eventually takes it. Not sure why that is.

Do you have a non-Bus Éireann product on it?

23-01-2016 3:18pm

Victor wrote: »

Do you have a non-Bus Éireann product on it?

I have auto topup enabled but not any Dublin Bus-specific stuff like Rambler tickets.

Poxyshamrock · 23-01-2016 9:24pm

Happens in Limerick too. "User not allowed. Try Purse" comes up but after about 15 seconds it shows your credit. Some drivers don't allow you to leave it on the reader though and take it off, fiddle with a few buttons and then put it back on.

SteM · 25-01-2016 10:39am

Looks like the Leap app will be released for Android today. Very handy functionality imo.

http://www.newstalk.com/Top-up-your-Leap-card-via-app-from-today

noelfirl · 25-01-2016 10:51am

SteM wrote: »

Looks like the Leap app will be released for Android today. Very handy functionality imo.

http://www.newstalk.com/Top-up-your-Leap-card-via-app-from-today

On the Play store now.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ie.leapcard.tnfc&hl=en_GB

SteM · 25-01-2016 11:01am

Yeah, just tried it and payment screen seems buggy. It's reading the Leap using NFC though.

Avada · 25-01-2016 12:45pm

I've been using it for about a month now. It's very good. Basic and easy to use. I just wish they would get rid of verified by Visa.

coylemj · 25-01-2016 12:59pm

Does the top-up app run on a tablet? I have a Google Nexus 7 (wi-fi only) tablet with NFC but the top-up app doesn't work, says there was a problem and to 'represent the card' but it refuses to read either of two Leap cards which by the way are in regular use and which were topped up at a ticket machine in a Dart station a week ago. NFC is switched on and I shut down and restarted the tablet just in case but it just refuses to read the cards.

Both cards are registered so I can check the balance at home on the leapcard.ie website but I'd like to be able to top-up at home because my main use of Leap is on the buses. There is no technical reason I can think of why a wi-fi device shouldn't be able to work just as well as a smartphone once it has NFC and a data connection.

MrMorooka · 25-01-2016 2:02pm

Tried the app, looks good to me, a very useful feature. I only rarely use my Leap Card these days, so it's handy to have a quick way to check the balance. A nice feature is that you can just touch the card to your phone at any time- it will open the app automatically.

Is the topup applied immediately from the app, or do you need to collect it from a shop?

The app could also stand to have some more settings/display more info. I had NFC disabled in my phone settings but if the app knew that, it didn't tell me, had to figure it out myself.

SteM · 25-01-2016 2:09pm

MrMorooka wrote: »

Is the topup applied immediately from the app, or do you need to collect it from a shop?

It's applied immediately.

devnull · 25-01-2016 3:56pm

Would be nice if you could save your card details

Alun · 25-01-2016 5:00pm

devnull wrote: »

Would be nice if you could save your card details

It's on their TODO list, see the Play Store ...

We are also working on future releases which will enhance the app and include:
- Ability to store payment card details for a more streamlined top-up purchasing process
- Display the 5 most recent transactions on a Leap card
- Ticket information for tickets on your Leap card

Alun · 25-01-2016 5:02pm

Avada wrote: »

I just wish they would get rid of verified by Visa.

Amen to that. Verified by Visa needs to die a painful death, and very soon.

bk · 26-01-2016 11:45am

SteM wrote: »

It's applied immediately.

It depends actually. A topup is applied immediately.

However if you buy special tickets on the website (monthly, rambler, tickets, etc.) you have to wait until the next day for the ticket to be applied!

SteM · 26-01-2016 11:55am

bk wrote: »

It depends actually. A topup is applied immediately.

However if you buy special tickets on the website (monthly, rambler, tickets, etc.) you have to wait until the next day for the ticket to be applied!

The question was

MrMorooka wrote: »

Is the topup applied immediately from the app

So we're talking about topups from the app not 'tickets' from the website. Was I wrong in answering Yes to this question?

bk · 26-01-2016 4:14pm

SteM wrote: »

So we're talking about topups from the app not 'tickets' from the website. Was I wrong in answering Yes to this question?

Not at all, I just thought more information could be useful.

devnull · 26-01-2016 5:20pm

Can't believe there are people who have reviewed the app on the Play store asking if they could have function of typing the card number in and topping up that way without having to mess around with using NFC!

It appears HTC phones have problems with the APP as well.

devnull · 26-01-2016 5:21pm

Can't believe there are people who have reviewed the app on the Play store asking if they could have function of typing the card number in and topping up that way without having to mess around with using NFC!

It appears HTC phones have problems with the APP as well.

MrMorooka · 26-01-2016 5:28pm

Well, for one, the app should be able to tell if you the phone doesn't have NFC, or if it's disabled. Maybe that's not possible with the Android API, I don't know. There's also the point that people may be holding the card to the wrong location- on my phone I need to hold the card to the top half of the phone only or it won't be detected.

Basically, the app could do a it more to educate and guide the user.

n97 mini · 26-01-2016 7:03pm

I used the app there now, worked fine-ish.

It's very quick to say the card is incompatible and to contact Leap, whereas it should just say try again. Which it never says. Nuclear option straight off.

Second is the 3D secure was off the screen and I had to scroll over to see it. This was a stroke of luck.

ethernet · 26-01-2016 7:27pm

coylemj wrote: »

Does the top-up app run on a tablet? I have a Google Nexus 7 (wi-fi only) tablet with NFC but the top-up app doesn't work, says there was a problem and to 'represent the card' but it refuses to read either of two Leap cards which by the way are in regular use and which were topped up at a ticket machine in a Dart station a week ago. NFC is switched on and I shut down and restarted the tablet just in case but it just refuses to read the cards.

Both cards are registered so I can check the balance at home on the leapcard.ie website but I'd like to be able to top-up at home because my main use of Leap is on the buses. There is no technical reason I can think of why a wi-fi device shouldn't be able to work just as well as a smartphone once it has NFC and a data connection.

They say it does on the Leap site.

Also tried with a Nexus 7. After repeatedly trying to get it to read the card, it eventually says that the card is not supported. I emailed the developers through the app store. They reckon it should work now as there was an issue with Amazon Web Services yesterday - although I find it odd that just reading the card balance requires a third-party service. Anyway, I digress.

Had the same issue with another Leap card in the house but a One Plus could read the card.

I have other NFC apps on the tablet and they read cards just fine - including the Leap card! So I can only hope the Leap app is a bit buggy in this regard.

n97 mini · 26-01-2016 8:09pm

Can tickets like rambler be loaded via the app?

D'Peoples Voice · 27-01-2016 8:09am

ethernet wrote: »

Also tried with a Nexus 7. After repeatedly trying to get it to read the card, it eventually says that the card is not supported.

Works fine on my unrooted Nexus 7 (2013) (wifi only) running stock with build number MMB290.

RichardoKhan · 27-01-2016 1:06pm

Worked fine after a little bit of manipulation with HTC One Mini 2. Did test amount of 5 euros & showed straight on to card via app. Checked online Leap card history & shows there now as well. Its not the greatest app but in terms of being able to top up without calling at a shop its a huge 'Leap' forward. I know just couldnt resist

coylemj · 27-01-2016 5:48pm

Developer response:

The compatibility issue with tablet devices should now be resolved. Please enable NFC & try again. Apologies for the inconvenience.

It works now on my Nexus 7 (2013), they must have made some change on their server because the app wasn't updated on the Play Store but it suddenly works.

ethernet · 27-01-2016 7:16pm

D'Peoples Voice wrote: »

Works fine on my unrooted Nexus 7 (2013) (wifi only) running stock with build number MMB290.

coylemj wrote:

It works now on my Nexus 7 (2013), they must have made some change on their server because the app wasn't updated on the Play Store but it suddenly works.

Magically started working for me today also!

Amirani · 27-01-2016 10:48pm

Working on my Nexus 9. This will be very handy.

Galadriel · 28-01-2016 1:04pm

n97 mini wrote: »

I used the app there now, worked fine-ish.

It's very quick to say the card is incompatible and to contact Leap, whereas it should just say try again. Which it never says. Nuclear option straight off.

Second is the 3D secure was off the screen and I had to scroll over to see it. This was a stroke of luck.

Aha, I'll try it again so...all I could see was a blank screen.

Galadriel · 28-01-2016 1:12pm

Galadriel wrote: »

Aha, I'll try it again so...all I could see was a blank screen.

Worked once I scrolled over and found the login box! So happy they've brought this out.

H3llR4iser · 29-01-2016 4:14am

devnull wrote: »

Can't believe there are people who have reviewed the app on the Play store asking if they could have function of typing the card number in and topping up that way without having to mess around with using NFC!

It appears HTC phones have problems with the APP as well.

The nfc thing is fiddly and gimmicky - some phones don't have it, and it's also the reason there's no iOS version, as access to the nfc is restricted on iPhones. As odd as it sounds, entering the number is more practical and versatile - it would make the Apple version of the app immediately possible, the android one usable on all phones and also, what if you want to top up a card you don't physically have in that moment? A classic example would be parents with their kid's cards if they run out of credit while out...

markpb · 29-01-2016 4:23am

H3llR4iser wrote:

The nfc thing is fiddly and gimmicky - some phones don't have it, and it's also the reason there's no iOS version, as access to the nfc is restricted on iPhones. As odd as it sounds, entering the number is more practical and versatile - it would make the Apple version of the app immediately possible, the android one usable on all phones and also, what if you want to top up a card you don't physically have in that moment? A classic example would be parents with their kid's cards if they run out of credit while out...

I'm so confused by that post.

You must enter your credit card number to process the transaction, it's not a contactless transaction.

You cannot enter the Leap card number, you must have the card in contact with the phone so the balance can be written to the card.

It's not possible to top up a Leap card remotely, something (NFC phone, Payzone terminal or Ticket Vending Machine) must be able to write to the card.

H3llR4iser · 29-01-2016 11:34am

markpb wrote: »

I'm so confused by that post.

You must enter your credit card number to process the transaction, it's not a contactless transaction.

You cannot enter the Leap card number, you must have the card in contact with the phone so the balance can be written to the card.

It's not possible to top up a Leap card remotely, something (NFC phone, Payzone terminal or Ticket Vending Machine) must be able to write to the card.

Doesn't need to be - you could top up a TFL Oyster card, online, years ago. The top up goes in the system and is applied the next time the card gets used at a IE barrier, bus et cetera...

LXFlyer · 29-01-2016 11:37am

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Doesn't need to be - you could top up a TFL Oyster card, online, years ago. The top up goes in the system and is applied the next time the card gets used at a IE barrier, bus et cetera...

Oyster does not top up on buses.

It suffers exactly the same issue as LEAP - you have to go to a station or a shop to get the top up applied to the card.

The difference between London and Dublin is that there are far more railway stations across the city in London.

H3llR4iser · 29-01-2016 11:41am

lxflyer wrote: »

Oyster does not top up on buses.

It suffers exactly the same issue as LEAP - you have to go to a station or a shop to get the top up applied to the card.

The difference between London and Dublin is that there are far more railway stations across the city in London.

Still, give the possibility. Maybe they'll do in the future, but as of now it's something that is lacking. It won't hurt to have the number field in there.

MJohnston · 29-01-2016 11:43am

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Still, give the possibility. Maybe they'll do in the future, but as of now it's something that is lacking. It won't hurt to have the number field in there.

It will if nobody can actually do anything with the app without NFC anyway.

"Leap" into the unknown: The feedback thread

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