New Leap Visitor's Card

foggy_lad

http://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/minister-kelly-launches-new-leap-visitor-card-72-hours-travel-in-dublin-region-for-e19-50/


Minister Kelly has announced a new leap card that offers unlimited travel on luas rail and bus in the Dublin short hop area for 72hours plus also offers the return airline bus to visitors. Itbwill cost €19.50 and will only be available online and at the airport arrivals area.

ballooba

It's valid on the 747. So, that's potentially €10 worth of value straight away. I think it's a little on the pricey side, closer to €15 would have been nice*. Uptake will give an indication of whether the price is right. It's a welcome initiative all the same.

*Tack on dublin bikes (with a suitable security deposit) and I think €19.50 would be about right.

Stevek101

Its amazing value! The same service would cost a regular commuter €30 without including the Airlink.

afatbollix

Great value. I'll be taking it when I arrive in the summer. Its the handyness of not needing to even think about what you have left on your card.

Mrs OBumble

Stevek101 wrote: »

Its amazing value! The same service would cost a regular commuter €30 without including the Airlink.

+1

I can see some regular commuters making a special trip out to the airport to collect one, unless it's only available in the secure zone or with a boarding pass.

Stevek101

In addition they've launched a card for summer students. The Leap Trainee Card will be available to trainees through their language schools and directly from Dublin Bus, in 1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week versions (Priced at €46.50, €70.00, €94.00 and €119.00 respectively). Similar to the Leap Visitor card, it will allow foreign students travel on Luas, DART, Iarnród Éireann’s short-hop zone and on Dublin Bus.

Again this would cost average commuter 40, 80, 120 and 160 so a massive reduction. However, I'd imagine the use of this card will be restricted.

Stevek101

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

+1

I can see some regular commuters making a special trip out to the airport to collect one, unless it's only available in the secure zone or with a boarding pass.

It'll be sold in Spar T1/2 arrivals and at the CIE desk in T1 all on the landside. Definitely be worth the trip out.

pclive

This should be in bargain alerts, great value.

ballooba

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

+1

I can see some regular commuters making a special trip out to the airport to collect one, unless it's only available in the secure zone or with a boarding pass.

Firstly, it's only 8 euro below the weekly cap for Leap anyway*. Secondly, taxsaver is a lot cheaper surely.

*EDIT: 1 euro saving versus 3 daily caps on Leap. https://www.leapcard.ie/en/PageSetting/ContentViewer.aspx?Val=T/HcRN0lgkhyO2TJbCpdXbpkQ6D59bgR9MwK7i5q52U2rfQVZcNw%2BAb2e13wL37V62K83icu4wP/KxugVQHB8/tfq8sS44StQmsdGiKYqRWG4lf%2Bgc7EYaq1dJckxC1SOs8Oi5WHyaggCxyPdGXNqCkz6KJl/C2vRG9pBSEkDcc%3D Not a bargain alert.

Stevek101

Not everyone can get a tax saver people often seem to forget that.

Stevek101

ballooba wrote: »

Firstly, it's only 8 euro below the weekly cap for Leap anyway*. Secondly, taxsaver is a lot cheaper surely.

*EDIT: 1 euro saving versus 3 daily caps on Leap. https://www.leapcard.ie/en/PageSetting/ContentViewer.aspx?Val=T/HcRN0lgkhyO2TJbCpdXbpkQ6D59bgR9MwK7i5q52U2rfQVZcNw%2BAb2e13wL37V62K83icu4wP/KxugVQHB8/tfq8sS44StQmsdGiKYqRWG4lf%2Bgc7EYaq1dJckxC1SOs8Oi5WHyaggCxyPdGXNqCkz6KJl/C2vRG9pBSEkDcc%3D Not a bargain alert.

This is not just Dublin Bus it is all operators. Cap is €10 a day also doesn't include the Airlink.

ballooba

Stevek101 wrote: »

This is not just Dublin Bus it is all operators. Cap is €10 a day also doesn't include the Airlink.

Just noticed that, thanks. I think it's decent value and it probably will have great uptake.

The reasons I don't think it's amazing value are... 747 is only really attractive if you are staying in the city centre. The Aircoach is quicker (no loop around bus aras / up marlborough st etc.) in my experience and offers direct transport to more locations.

If you're staying in the city centre you're going to make limited use of public transport, not more than a couple of trips a day. You'd have to be using the Airlink or making a lot of trips to get benefit of this. Although convenience will be a big factor and hence I think it's decent value. All in all a welcome development.

1huge1

ballooba wrote: »

It's valid on the 747. So, that's potentially €10 worth of value straight away. I think it's a little on the pricey side, closer to €15 would have been nice*. Uptake will give an indication of whether the price is right. It's a welcome initiative all the same.

*Tack on dublin bikes (with a suitable security deposit) and I think €19.50 would be about right.

I think its very good value given my recent trips to Stockholm and Amsterdam in all fairness, I'm not saying we have the same quality of service of them (the notable lack of an underground) but still this seems fair to me.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

+1

I can see some regular commuters making a special trip out to the airport to collect one, unless it's only available in the secure zone or with a boarding pass.

According to the OP, it will also be available online

LXFlyer

ballooba wrote: »

Just noticed that, thanks. I think it's decent value and it probably will have great uptake.

The reasons I don't think it's amazing value are... 747 is only really attractive if you are staying in the city centre. The Aircoach is quicker (no loop around bus aras / up marlborough st etc.) in my experience and offers direct transport to more locations.

If you're staying in the city centre you're going to make limited use of public transport, not more than a couple of trips a day. You'd have to be using the Airlink or making a lot of trips to get benefit of this. Although convenience will be a big factor and hence I think it's decent value. All in all a welcome development.

I'm not sure that most tourists are particularly worried about the difference between Aircoach and Airlink in terms of the route taken to the city centre to be honest.


Price generally is a bigger concern.


The fact that this includes DART/Suburban Rail means tourists can for example take a trip on the train and maybe use the bus on the return journey.

LXFlyer

Stevek101 wrote: »

In addition they've launched a card for summer students. The Leap Trainee Card will be available to trainees through their language schools and directly from Dublin Bus, in 1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week versions (Priced at €46.50, €70.00, €94.00 and €119.00 respectively). Similar to the Leap Visitor card, it will allow foreign students travel on Luas, DART, Iarnród Éireann’s short-hop zone and on Dublin Bus.

Again this would cost average commuter 40, 80, 120 and 160 so a massive reduction. However, I'd imagine the use of this card will be restricted.

This is merely replacing the existing magnetic stripe Dublin Bus tickets, but extending their use to LUAS and Irish Rail.


It's not available to "average commuters" so I think that point is totally irrelevant.

LXFlyer

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

+1

I can see some regular commuters making a special trip out to the airport to collect one, unless it's only available in the secure zone or with a boarding pass.

While it is excellent value, I can't see too many people saying right let's make a special trip out to Dublin Airport just to buy a transport ticket.

Aard

ballooba wrote: »

The reasons I don't think it's amazing value are... 747 is only really attractive if you are staying in the city centre. The Aircoach is quicker (no loop around bus aras / up marlborough st etc.) in my experience and offers direct transport to more locations.

747 to the Point and Luas into town might become popular, especially at rush hour.

Judgement Day

And next week they are going to reinvent the wheel. :rolleyes:

ballooba

Aard wrote: »

747 to the Point and Luas into town might become popular, especially at rush hour.

That's a very good point. Hadn't thought of that. That makes this ticket very attractive to anyone staying on the Red Line Luas, even if they don't make use of it beyond the airport transfer.

LXFlyer

Judgement Day wrote: »

And next week they are going to reinvent the wheel. :rolleyes:

So you don't view the ongoing expansion of LEAP as a good thing then?

Dravokivich

Judgement Day wrote: »

And next week they are going to reinvent the wheel. :rolleyes:

It's more like improving the wheel and getting rid of older versions of it.

foggy_lad wrote: »

http://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/minister-kelly-launches-new-leap-visitor-card-72-hours-travel-in-dublin-region-for-e19-50/


Minister Kelly has announced a new leap card that offers unlimited travel on luas rail and bus in the Dublin short hop area for 72hours plus also offers the return airline bus to visitors. Itbwill cost €19.50 and will only be available online and at the airport arrivals area.

People need to be careful to understand that this is within the 72 hours as well. It's not a separate piece of the ticket.

foggy_lad

Stevek101 wrote: »

In addition they've launched a card for summer students. The Leap Trainee Card will be available to trainees through their language schools and directly from Dublin Bus, in 1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week versions (Priced at €46.50, €70.00, €94.00 and €119.00 respectively). Similar to the Leap Visitor card, it will allow foreign students travel on Luas, DART, Iarnród Éireann’s short-hop zone and on Dublin Bus.

Again this would cost average commuter 40, 80, 120 and 160 so a massive reduction. However, I'd imagine the use of this card will be restricted.

Most summer students get a single bus only or rail only weekly or monthly ticket depending on whether they are based near the dart/railway so these new fares will represent quite a large increase!

foggy_lad

ballooba wrote: »

Firstly, it's only 8 euro below the weekly cap for Leap anyway*. Secondly, taxsaver is a lot cheaper surely.

*EDIT: 1 euro saving versus 3 daily caps on Leap. https://www.leapcard.ie/en/PageSetting/ContentViewer.aspx?Val=T/HcRN0lgkhyO2TJbCpdXbpkQ6D59bgR9MwK7i5q52U2rfQVZcNw%2BAb2e13wL37V62K83icu4wP/KxugVQHB8/tfq8sS44StQmsdGiKYqRWG4lf%2Bgc7EYaq1dJckxC1SOs8Oi5WHyaggCxyPdGXNqCkz6KJl/C2vRG9pBSEkDcc%3D Not a bargain alert.

The cap for three days of adult bus rail and luas travel is €10 per day so €30 for three days. So this represents a saving of at least €10.50 over the visit.

schemingbohemia

Judgement Day wrote: »

And next week they are going to reinvent the wheel. :rolleyes:

What a well reasoned and argued point (doffs cap) :rolleyes:

Judgement Day

schemingbohemia wrote: »

What a well reasoned and argued point (doffs cap) :rolleyes:

I'm just stunned that so many of you are amazed with the cleverness of this simple idea which has been around for decades. Rambler tickets were used by the GSR in the 1920s or am I missing something?

LXFlyer

Of course the national rambler tickets have existed for years.

But this is the first time since LUAS arrived that a combined tourist ticket for all three different modes (tram, bus and train) in Dublin City has been launched.

This is all about integrating the prepaid tickets onto LEAP.

devnull

Approx what is the EU contributing to this product cash wise, since the Press Release basically says they are agreeing to fund the cost of this product to some degree, which must be subsidizing the cost of the ticket in some way.

I'm surprised at the fact such subsidy is taking place, with the 747 being a commercial service and also being included.

ballooba

It would be great if there were a 747 service that extended to the Green Line Luas too. There used to be a 746 I believe, but the Aircoach and it were maybe not viable together. I mention this in the context of the suggestion to interchange to Luas using this ticket.

AlekSmart

ballooba wrote: »

It would be great if there were a 747 service that extended to the Green Line Luas too. There used to be a 746 I believe, but the Aircoach and it were maybe not viable together. I mention this in the context of the suggestion to interchange to Luas using this ticket.

The 746 was a victim of indecision,and the rather too long running, reluctance to recognise specific service types,such as Express or Dedicated routes.

The 746 ended up trying to be both a dedicated Southside/Airport route AND a filler for the 46A route.

The two types of service are not compatible,particularly in the atmosphere in which BAC operates.

It should be noted that the 746 and the First/Aircoach service were never direct competitors and serve well defined different markets,with both entities well able to survive independently.

Sadly nobody would make the call,and the 746,which to this day remains a very solid marketable product,was wound up.

There were plenty of suggestions from the platform as to improvements with timings,routing and the likes but the will to engage just did not materialize.



One of the greatest lost-opportunities IMO....:(

Cookie_Monster

just the airport? what about Dublin Port and DL Port or the main train stations...

markpb

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

just the airport? what about Dublin Port and DL Port or the main train stations...

Tourists tend not to arrive into the country through our train stations (apart from people from NI) and since they're located in the city centre, it would be very easy for people living in Dublin to buy a card that they only want to sell to tourists (since it's discounted by the EU as part of a tourism initiative).

Serving Dublin port would be hard since most people arrive by car, very few arrive by foot and I'm not aware of a shop or kiosk that they could be sold from anyway.

ballooba

markpb wrote: »

Serving Dublin port would be hard since most people arrive by car, very few arrive by foot and I'm not aware of a shop or kiosk that they could be sold from anyway.

An awful lot of people seem to use the sail rail tickets to arrive by ferry. This would be a great add on. It's likely an EU stipulation that it is not sold outside of the airport. In fairness though, it can be bought online.

foggy_lad

ballooba wrote: »

An awful lot of people seem to use the sail rail tickets to arrive by ferry. This would be a great add on. It's likely an EU stipulation that it is not sold outside of the airport. In fairness though, it can be bought online.

Most sail rail passengers are going much further than is allowed by this visitors card. It is only valid within the Dublin short hop area and aimed at air travellers who make up the bulk of those entering the country and who will be most likely to get full use out of this card as most will be staying in the Dublin area for at least a few days before travelling on to Kilkenny castle and beyond.

Dravokivich

I recon it'll roll out through the city over time. The primary market is based on those coming through the airport, so focusing on that will let them judge the uptake of it. No point having'em all over the city, if they don't even sell where people come in.

The only thing they need to be sure of, is that they've let people coming in know its available. They've been dire when it comes to advertising what's available here for commuters in general. If they keep that up with this ticket, won't work out too good.

Mr Simpson

markpb wrote: »

Tourists tend not to arrive into the country through our train stations (apart from people from NI) and since they're located in the city centre, it would be very easy for people living in Dublin to buy a card that they only want to sell to tourists (since it's discounted by the EU as part of a tourism initiative).

Serving Dublin port would be hard since most people arrive by car, very few arrive by foot and I'm not aware of a shop or kiosk that they could be sold from anyway.

With a bit of thought it could be sold on the ferrys themselves rather than in the terminal at the port. Cant imagine it being too hard to organise

foggy_lad

Mr Simpson wrote: »

With a bit of thought it could be sold on the ferrys themselves rather than in the terminal at the port. Cant imagine it being too hard to organise

Why though when most ferry passengers bring their own transport or use longer distance bus and rail than this ticket caters for? There is never a crushnto get on the 53b at Dublin port!

Mr Simpson

foggy_lad wrote: »

Why though when most ferry passengers bring their own transport or use longer distance bus and rail than this ticket caters for? There is never a crushnto get on the 53b at Dublin port!

Just because theyre not getting the bus, doesnt mean they wont be using public transport once they arrive in Dublin. Also, the introduction of the ticket may actually encourage people to get the bus from the port

afatbollix

I wonder could you buy 5 at a time and they activate when you first tag on?

Would mean people could bulk buy at the airport and use them for a few weeks.

ballooba

foggy_lad wrote: »

Why though when most ferry passengers bring their own transport or use longer distance bus and rail than this ticket caters for? There is never a crushnto get on the 53b at Dublin port!

I don't think it's necessarily correct that Sail and Rail passengers are connecting to Irish Rail / Bus Eireann. I've had two sets of visitors use Sail and Rail to visit Dublin in the last year.

Your post might be based on the assumption that they get a rail ticket for Ireland in the price. The rail ticket within Ireland is an extra cost as far as I know and the connections are not as user friendly compared to Holyhead.

Also, this is potentially a market that could be tapped into and we would see a crush for the 53b.

Ben D Bus

Mr Simpson wrote: »

With a bit of thought it could be sold on the ferrys themselves rather than in the terminal at the port. Cant imagine it being too hard to organise

That sounds very reasonable.

LXFlyer

ballooba wrote: »

An awful lot of people seem to use the sail rail tickets to arrive by ferry. This would be a great add on. It's likely an EU stipulation that it is not sold outside of the airport. In fairness though, it can be bought online.

I doubt it's anything of the sort - I'd suspect it's more to do with restricting the sale to actual visitors rather than it becoming something that everyone buys, thereby protecting farebox revenue.

As someone else suggested maybe they could sell it on board the ships (and include the Irish Ferries bus) and over time perhaps also sell them in the tourist office on Suffolk Street.

Bear in mind that they're only launching this now. There's plenty of scope to improve it over time.

Dub13

Its great value, less than the price of a taxi into town and your transport needs are sorted for 3 days. Lets hope they push this.

Stevek101

Seen a fair few people picking them up today. Mind you I seen at least four people boarding a 16 with them.

foggy_lad

Mr Simpson wrote: »

Just because theyre not getting the bus, doesnt mean they wont be using public transport once they arrive in Dublin. Also, the introduction of the ticket may actually encourage people to get the bus from the port

ballooba wrote: »

I don't think it's necessarily correct that Sail and Rail passengers are connecting to Irish Rail / Bus Eireann. I've had two sets of visitors use Sail and Rail to visit Dublin in the last year.

Your post might be based on the assumption that they get a rail ticket for Ireland in the price. The rail ticket within Ireland is an extra cost as far as I know and the connections are not as user friendly compared to Holyhead.

Also, this is potentially a market that could be tapped into and we would see a crush for the 53b.

Fair enough but the main reason I can see for not selling them at the port is there is no shop there and putting in a vending machine which will need protection and maintenance for the few passengers a week that might use it is not practical or cost effective. the % of boat passengers compared to the % of air passengers who require public transport in Dublin is minuscule.

As far as boat passengers buying a rail ticket to say Kilkenny or Tralee etc it is far more likely that they will get the boat from Dublin port to Busaras and travel onwards from there.

Hilly Bill

Sell them on the boats, there are loads of people coming to Dublin as foot passengers for the weekend.

Aard

What about having them in vending machines in Heuston and Connolly? Plenty of people come up from the country for the weekend who mightn't have a Leap Card. No fuss, no worrying about zones/stages and other generally confusing things about Dublin's transport system. As somebody mentioned above, stick on a DublinBikes membership for the few days as well and you're golden.

Hilly Bill

Anyone could buy them then.

Cookie_Monster

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Anyone could buy them then.

anyone can buy them now anyway

LXFlyer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

anyone can buy them now anyway

While that's true, let's be honest people are not going to trek out to the airport in huge numbers just to buy these tickets.

Whether people like to hear it or not, there is a need to protect farebox revenues and selling this ticket in easily accessible locations would not help that.

Hilly Bill

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

anyone can buy them now anyway

Only a fool would spend more just to get one at the airport.

Mrs OBumble

Question: I already have a LEAP card. Is it possible to just load one of these tickets onto it, or do they come on on shiney new cards?

Also, once the 72 hours are over, is it possible to just load regular cash or another combo ticket onto the cards and use them?