Does TFI 90 minute fare (or similar) apply outside of Dublin? with Leap Card.

Mr Creosote

I was using a bus service in Portlaoise which has recently started in the town. I got on the bus and paid with my Leap card. Half an hour later I got on the same bus returning in the opposite direction. The driver recognised me and asked me when did I last use the bus, I said about half an hour ago. He said there would be no charge. I said is that because of the 90 minute fare? and he said yes and that not many people know about this.
I have been on other buses in Portlaoise that accept Leap cards and have been charged for the return fare which would have been within 90 minutes. I was going to ask the driver more about this just before I got off, but he was talking to another passenger. I have checked on TFI website but I can't find any information stating the 90 minute fare applies anywhere apart from Dublin. It states:-

TFI 90 applies to most journeys in the Dublin area whether you are using multiple services during 90 minutes or simply taking a single trip. TFI 90 applies to:
Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland services in the Dublin City Bus network All Luas services; and Most DART and Commuter Rail services (zones 1 to 4 in the Short Hop Zone).
To get the TFI 90 minute fare, simply use your Leap Card as you normally would within 90 minutes. You must touch on every time you board a service to demonstrate you hold a valid ticket for each journey:

( I noticed you can't tap the leap card yourself the driver takes the card from you and does It on this bus service in Portlaoise).

Does anyone use their Leap card on buses outside of Dublin and have found the 90 minute fare or something similar applies? The driver was from Dublin, not sure if he's correct as other drivers are charging for return fares within 90 minutes.
Thanks in advance for replies.

Buffman

Unfortunately TFI information seems to mainly focus on the Dublin Area 90 Zone and with the fragmented services using different operators in other areas, information on it seems to be a case of checking each individual service.

I can't see any specific mention of it on the Portlaoise operator so you might want to contact them directly to query.

https://www.citydirectportlaoise.ie/contact

I have used it in Kilkenny and they do mention it on their info.

All TFI Leap and cash single fares allow passengers to transfer between KK1 and KK2 routes within 90 minutes of starting their journey.

PreCocious

It doesn't apply in Cork.

However , in a really helpful fashion, if you check your card on the Leapcard app after boarding it shows that the 90 minute timer has started and even gives you the blurb about it.

Taisteal Éireann

It does in some towns, in others, it doesn't. I know in Carlow and Kilkenny, you have 90 minutes to use your single Leap ticket, essentially making it a 90 minute fare, even though there are only 2 routes in each place. Seems to be the same in Portlaoise too. In Galway, unless you have a timed product (24 hour, 7 day, etc.), you have to buy a new ticket every time you change bus.

Mr Creosote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123291200#Comment_123291200

Thanks for your reply, yes there's no mention of it on their website for the Portlaoise service, but I'll drop them an email to check. Cheers.

Mr Creosote

Thanks for the info about the app. I haven't downloaded the app, I have just been loading credit onto it at Payzone outlets. Do you have to register your details against your Leap card in order to be able to use the App?

BeerNut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292219#Comment_123292219

No, it works with any Leap card you tap against the phone.

mikeybhoy

Why are city services outside of Dublin so bad? Leap cards can only be done through the driver no right hand validator despite BE using the same ticket machines as DB. Also why do city buses outside of Dublin still give change I can't understand why BE never moved to auto fare on city services like DB?

bk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292907#Comment_123292907

Because all the cities outside of Dublin are a second thought and only get looked at years later.

In fairness to the NTA, they legally are only responsible for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). For the rest of the country they are only an "advisory body", instead it is run by local councils. The NTA can strongly suggest what they should do, but can't force it.

As for auto-fare, that was a decision of BE.

BTW BE in Cork is supposed to get right hand validators "soon", I assume they will introduce a 90 minute ticket at the same time.

bk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123291908#Comment_123291908

There is sort of an "unofficial" way to get a 90 minute ticket in Cork. Strictly speaking against the rules of the tickets, so I won't discuss the details here.

PreCocious

Yeah I know about that but there shouldn't be a need to go down a hooky route.

Still, roll on the new validators - maybe they'll be a sign of progress

Kirinmatt

Hi. I think the 90-minute fare likely doesn't apply consistently outside Dublin. The driver may have given an exception, or there could be a local practice. It's best to check with the bus company for confirmation.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292171#Comment_123292171

Many of those town routes are brand new and were set up with the 90 minutes fare.

The established city services will be switching to the 90 minute fare as part of their respective Busconnects implementations.

stop

After boarding a Bus Eireann 133 well outside Dublin (normal fare around €3), I checked my leap card balance using the app. I noticed a 90 minute countdown active - but as I wasn't making another trip in the 90 minutes, I don't know if a subsequent trip on DB/Luas/IE would have been free.

Taisteal Éireann

Probably isn't that important now as the fares will be changing on Sunday, but I used a Local Link service yesterday well outside Dublin and it counted towards my €8 daily cap for the Short Hop Zone. I ended the day in the Short Hop Zone and my journey home was free as I had already spent €8.