Annual Taxsaver Tickets to be extended by Six Months

devnull · 12-08-2020 6:56pm #1

News just in:
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/annual-taxsaver-tickets-to-be-extended-by-six-months/

Customers who have an annual TaxSaver ticket for Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services provided by Dublin Bus, Luas, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland are to have their tickets extended for a period of six months.

This effectively gives customers back the portion of the ticket that they could not use as a result of the Government’s Covid-related travel restrictions, and acknowledges the changes in travel and work that have come about since.

The measure applies to all customers whose tickets were valid on April 1st.

The customer is not required to fill in forms or supply any details. Any customer whose ticket expires, and who has not already requested a refund, will automatically be provided with a new ticket on their existing TFI Leap card, which extends validity for six months from the date of expiry of their original ticket.

Collecting the new ticket is straightforward for the customer and is identical to the process already in place for TaxSaver tickets. Bus customers can collect it using their TFI Leap Top-Up App or in a TFI Leap Card retailer, while Luas and Iarnród Éireann customers collect it automatically as they travel. Bus Éireann Point to Point ticket holders will receive a new ticket to include the six month extension.

Customers who have renewed their annual TaxSaver ticket since April 1st will also benefit from the measures announced today.

Where the customer wishes to receive a refund rather than avail of the extension, it is still open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions.

These measures do not apply to customers of commercial bus operators who are making their own arrangements.

Sheep Shagger · 12-08-2020 10:11pm

devnull wrote: »

News just in:
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/annual-taxsaver-tickets-to-be-extended-by-six-months/

Asked my HR a while back and they actually came back today as want to cancel leap card, hopefully refund will be backdated to 1 April 2020.

I crunched the numbers for an annual leap card and it isn't that good value for me even with taxsaver given the daily capping. Certainly isnt worth me having a annual card when I'll only be in the office 2 days a week in the future...

Tzardine · 12-08-2020 10:24pm

Sweeeeeet. 6 months free. Worth about 200 a month in my pocket.

Pleasantly surprised. I expected to have to fight for the 2 months I could not use it.

stephenjmcd · 12-08-2020 11:20pm

Decent that. 6 months free for the start of 2021.

When should this be reflected on our actual leap cards ? Just went onto the app there and mine has expire date 31st dec 2020

Xterminator · 13-08-2020 9:23am

yep, that is a result! It exceeds my expectations.

Sheep Shagger · 13-08-2020 11:27am

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Decent that. 6 months free for the start of 2021.

When should this be reflected on our actual leap cards ? Just went onto the app there and mine has expire date 31st dec 2020

Give them time id say...

gmisk · 13-08-2020 12:13pm

This is great news.
I think I will go with the refund if possible, and not renew, then just go with normal top up card.
I contacted my HR department about it.
Annual tax saver for Dublin bus not due to expire til 1st November. I wonder if I will be able to get a refund for 8 months....

It will definitely be next year before back in office....by looks of it not in Jan either...

Collie D · 13-08-2020 12:23pm

Is my understanding of this correct? A free six month extension for all holders?

My own scenario was expiry at end of April which I obviously didn't renew so I only lost about six weeks which I had just written off as bad luck.

So now I have free travel until end of October?

stephenjmcd · 13-08-2020 12:44pm

gmisk wrote: »

This is great news.
I think I will go with the refund if possible, and not renew, then just go with normal top up card.
I contacted my HR department about it.
Annual tax saver for Dublin bus not due to expire til 1st November. I wonder if I will be able to get a refund for 8 months....

It will definitely be next year before back in office....by looks of it not in Jan either...

In and out of the office myself the last 2/3 months and back in on a more of a rostered basis from end of this month so I've still got use out of my Dublin bus tax saver so makes sense for me to get 6 months extra when it expires end of Dec.

Then in the case of people who've no idea if / when they'll be back on public transport the refund is a great option.

Sarn · 13-08-2020 2:53pm

It’s great to see that something is being done, an extra six months for those that will use it is good. My concern in relation to the refund is, “under existing terms and conditions.” Does that mean you lose the standard two months?

In my case, my pass expired at the end of May. I’ve no intention of renewing it for the foreseeable future, so an additional six months is of no use. Ideally I’d like to get the money back for April and May. Hopefully, that can be done.

Ohmeha · 13-08-2020 6:22pm

I feel like an idiot now for using my normal leap card instead of my Taxsaver card during lockdown as I was under the impression if I used my Taxsaver card I wouldn't be able claim any unused months back. Anyway the extra 6 months is welcome

https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/COVID-19-and-Taxsaver-ticket-arrangements/

Celtise · 13-08-2020 7:14pm

Ohmeha wrote: »

I feel like an idiot now for using my normal leap card instead of my Taxsaver card during lockdown as I was under the impression if I used my Taxsaver card I wouldn't be able claim any unused months back. Anyway the extra 6 months is welcome

https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/COVID-19-and-Taxsaver-ticket-arrangements/

Same.

Sinus pain · 13-08-2020 7:22pm

How does this work? I pay mine fortnightly- will they just stop taking money from my wages?

weldoninhio · 13-08-2020 7:34pm

Sinus pain wrote: »

How does this work? I pay mine fortnightly- will they just stop taking money from my wages?

I was under the impression that you pay up until you were paid off, then you get 6 months added on to it for free.

BRYAN Is Ainm Dom · 13-08-2020 7:35pm

All good if you are customer of Luas, Iarnoid Eireann, Dublin Bus but if you are customer of private operator you are screwed. My provider is refusing to give me refund and says best they can do is extend few months next year which is no good as have no intention of using pass next year.

ninebeanrows · 13-08-2020 7:46pm

Does anybody know when this will click into effect? My ticket expired on 1 July and I have been paying as you go since.

Sheep Shagger · 13-08-2020 8:06pm

Ohmeha wrote: »

I feel like an idiot now for using my normal leap card instead of my Taxsaver card during lockdown as I was under the impression if I used my Taxsaver card I wouldn't be able claim any unused months back. Anyway the extra 6 months is welcome

https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/COVID-19-and-Taxsaver-ticket-arrangements/

FFS, that link seems to suggest if you are stsying in your job your only option is to get extra months added for the period you could not use your leap card.

Where has the refund language gone for someone who has not lost their job?

Sinus pain · 13-08-2020 8:08pm

Mine was renewed in June

Sinus pain · 13-08-2020 8:10pm

Sinus pain wrote: »

Mine was renewed in June

I just checked my payslip - (civil service)and I haven’t been charged for my leap card I actually haven’t been charged the last few weeks!!

cython · 14-08-2020 9:13am

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

FFS, that link seems to suggest if you are stsying in your job your only option is to get extra months added for the period you could not use your leap card.

Where has the refund language gone for someone who has not lost their job?

Surely the bolded line below from the linked statement covers this?

COVID-19 and Taxsaver ticket arrangements
The National Transport Authority has provided an outline as to how TaxSaver customers are to be accommodated.

Many holders of TaxSaver tickets have been unable to avail of public transport services as a result of restrictions being put in place in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

NTA along with the transport operators and other stakeholders are now designing a process to implement the scheme, but the basic principles have been agreed.

For commuters who are to continue employment with their current employer, under the NTA plan, the customer will be offered free travel for a number of months equivalent to the length of time they have been unable to use their ticket as a result of travel restrictions.

At the point when the customer returns to work, or on expiry of their ticket, they will make arrangements with their employer and they will be offered a choice as to whether the months-in-lieu are to take effect immediately, or whether they want to use them at a later date.

For holders of TaxSaver tickets who will not be continuing in their current employment, a refund will be offered to cover the remaining period of ticket validity, from the time restrictions were put in place.

Where the customer wishes to receive a refund rather than a replacement ticket, it is still open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions.

Together with the NTA and other operators, we will confirm details of the scheme as soon as possible. Please retain your ticket(s) pending confirmation of details of the scheme.

ninebeanrows · 14-08-2020 10:55am

Just to clarify the 6 month extension kicks in from 1st September

Stevek101 · 14-08-2020 11:15am

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

Just to clarify the 6 month extension kicks in from 1st September

I was wondering about this as my ticket expired end of June. Where did you hear it'll be September?

Sinus pain · 14-08-2020 11:27am

I haven’t been charged in my last four payslips at least...

JojoLoca · 14-08-2020 12:05pm

This is nothing new, it was announced a while back that the few months that people missed out on the commute due to lockdown will be added to their ticket or you can request a refund.

I have cancelled my Luas tax saver ticket all together and already got a refund. I'm working from home all the time now, back to the office from next year and even then it will only be 2 days a week of commuting to work. So no point for me to keep the ticket on.

ninebeanrows · 14-08-2020 12:46pm

Stevek101 wrote: »

I was wondering about this as my ticket expired end of June. Where did you hear it'll be September?

Contacted support today and was told applied from 1 September and can collect to card from around 27 Aug

Curvy Vixen · 15-08-2020 8:06am

Hi folks,

I was working through an agency in maternity cover when I got my travel card and finished up with them in May. The agency lady was lovely and all but had no idea how to even apply for one for me when i enquired and I had to do all the footwork for her.

I feel I'll have to do the same again to look for a refund, so can anyone guide me as to who I contact in irish rail/leap card/wherever in order to start the process please? I have an Irish rail/leap card combined travel saver ticket.

Thanks a lot ðŸ˜Š

billyhead · 15-08-2020 9:57am

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

Contacted support today and was told applied from 1 September and can collect to card from around 27 Aug

When you say can collect to card what do you mean? Should the leap card work straightaway with the credit added from September 1st?

Stevek101 · 15-08-2020 11:17am

billyhead wrote: »

When you say can collect to card what do you mean? Should the leap card work straightaway with the credit added from September 1st?

It should appear as a new 6 month ticket rather than extension of your current ticket. This means you'll have to collect it on the app, payzone or Irish Rail/Luas ticket machine.

billyhead · 15-08-2020 6:16pm

Stevek101 wrote: »

It should appear as a new 6 month ticket rather than extension of your current ticket. This means you'll have to collect it on the app, payzone or Irish Rail/Luas ticket machine.

Sorry if it's a stupid question when collecting it on the ticket machine would you just need to scan the card and the 6 months is added?

goingnowhere · 15-08-2020 7:44pm

Assuming its from Irish Rail or Luas just tag on and off as usual, or place the ticket in the reader on the ticket machine to update

If your ticket has already expired then the extension will start 1 Sept so will be available from 3-5 days before 1 Sept to collect and for a period afterwards

Trampas · 16-08-2020 6:51am

Mine IR short hop expired 30th of June. I doubt I’ll be using it again this year bar maybe the odd time. I think I’ll just look for my April month back as doubt I’ll get the May June based on cancellation

Happy4all · 16-08-2020 6:57am

My private bus operator is ignoring all emails for information.

They were off the road for 3 months. surely they have to give some compensation to customers?

BRYAN Is Ainm Dom · 16-08-2020 7:01pm

Happy4all wrote: »

My private bus operator is ignoring all emails for information.

They were off the road for 3 months. surely they have to give some compensation to customers?

I am in similar position to you where mine is refusing to give refund, however they are prepared to give extention for next year. Appears NTA rules don't apply to private operators.

puma90 · 17-08-2020 1:29pm

I've been working from home since march. My leap card runs out December 31st, I'm unsure of what to do. I think I want a refund from April until now. My HR have suggested that I cancel my card for the remaining months, but I'm reading in the T & Cs that in the event that an employee cancels their travel pass before the 12 months expiry date the transport providers will charge the full monthly price for the months that have elapsed? Has anyone else cancelled their annual leap card within the 12 month agreement and if so did you get charged.

Sheep Shagger · 17-08-2020 8:21pm

puma90 wrote: »

I've been working from home since march. My leap card runs out December 31st, I'm unsure of what to do. I think I want a refund from April until now. My HR have suggested that I cancel my card for the remaining months, but I'm reading in the T & Cs that in the event that an employee cancels their travel pass before the 12 months expiry date the transport providers will charge the full monthly price for the months that have elapsed? Has anyone else cancelled their annual leap card within the 12 month agreement and if so did you get charged.

Normally these are the rules but with COVID these rules are not supposed to apply. My card runs out 31/12/20 and I've cancelled for the rest of the year via Travelhub.

HR are now working on the refund with Luas, I think they have said they will backdate to April....will get a refund for half I guess after tax....that is the plan anyway. Time will tell.

Heiser · 18-08-2020 5:01pm

I sent an email to HR last week asking them to cancel mine. It was due to expire at the end of December and I stupidly used it once or twice each month since the lockdown so I don't think the cancellation will be backdated to when I stopped using it full-time.

It might be a good idea for me to ask then to stop the cancellation if it means I'd get 6 months free next year

weldoninhio · 18-08-2020 10:50pm

billyhead wrote: »

Sorry if it's a stupid question when collecting it on the ticket machine would you just need to scan the card and the 6 months is added?

Generally every year I have to ask them go check the balance and that updates the ticket

NewbridgeIR · 18-08-2020 10:57pm

Mine expired 1 May but I have been working from home since mid-March.
Unlikely to get much benefit from the six month extension.

Wonder if there is any chance of getting annual parking ticket refund? Irish rail car park run by Apcoa. Paid out €260 last December for 2020 parking and only got two and half months usage.

jimbob_jones · 19-08-2020 12:27pm

Hi folks, just wondering about my own situation. I have been working from home since March and I have the joint Bus and Luas.

My ticket runs February to February. Do I just cancel the ticket through the Travel Hub or are there any more hoops that I have to jump through ?

Thanks,
Jimbob

Sheep Shagger · 19-08-2020 1:50pm

jimbob_jones wrote: »

Hi folks, just wondering about my own situation. I have been working from home since March and I have the joint Bus and Luas.

My ticket runs February to February. Do I just cancel the ticket through the Travel Hub or are there any more hoops that I have to jump through ?

Thanks,
Jimbob

If you don't want a an annual travel ticket in these WFH times that is the first step.

Cancel it in travel hub then forward the confirmation to your HR as travehub will contact them.

jimbob_jones · 19-08-2020 11:04pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

If you don't want a an annual travel ticket in these WFH times that is the first step.

Cancel it in travel hub then forward the confirmation to your HR as travehub will contact them.

Perfect, thanks for that. Will get the ball rolling. Cheers !!

Stevek101 · 20-08-2020 9:21am

More infomation available here

https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/Free-Taxsaver-Extension-Customer-FAQ/

For Dublin Bus, Go Ahead Ireland, Irish Rail and Bus Éireann customers whose ticket expired on April 30th, May 31st, June 30th or July 31st 2020, we are planning to make the new free tickets available for electronic collection by Friday 21st August 2020. The new extension ticket will run for 6 months from the expiry date of your original ticket. For example, if your original ticket expired on 30th April, your extension will be valid until 31st October.

Have to laugh at that, if you got your ticket in April and haven't used it to date you will only be getting an extension of 2 months. You'd be better applying for a full refund in that case.

weldoninhio · 20-08-2020 10:22am

Stevek101 wrote: »

More infomation available here

https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/Free-Taxsaver-Extension-Customer-FAQ/

Have to laugh at that, if you got your ticket in April and haven't used it to date you will only be getting an extension of 2 months. You'd be better applying for a full refund in that case.

That makes no sense at all. What are they at?

L1011 · 20-08-2020 10:24am

That is for people who expired and didn't renew. You haven't been paying for the months in between so why would you get a replacement for them?

Stevek101 · 20-08-2020 10:52am

L1011 wrote: »

That is for people who expired and didn't renew. You haven't been paying for the months in between so why would you get a replacement for them?

The same could be said for people who use the card and get a full six months free.

billyhead · 20-08-2020 11:21am

Is it 6 months credit from Sept 1st or 6 months from the date your ticket expired? Mine expired on July 1st thus will the credit bring me up to Dec 31st or February 28th?

Stevek101 · 20-08-2020 11:30am

billyhead wrote: »

Is it 6 months credit from Sept 1st or 6 months from the date your ticket expired? Mine expired on July 1st thus will the credit bring me up to Dec 31st or February 28th?

Till Dec.

billyhead · 20-08-2020 12:13pm

Stevek101 wrote: »

Till Dec.

Thanks. How come I can't use it as of yet. Is it activated on September 1st. If so then it only 4 months credit.

Stevek101 · 20-08-2020 12:21pm

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks. How come I can't use it as of yet. Is it activated on September 1st. If so then it only 4 months credit.

Tickets are supposed to be loaded by tomorrow can be collected on the app, payzone or Irish Rail/Luas ticket machine. Will just be a 6 month extension from July 1st so you should be able to use it as soon as its collected.

BRYAN Is Ainm Dom · 21-08-2020 9:32pm

Folks, is there anybody here with private operator had any luck into getting refund.

billyhead · 23-08-2020 5:24pm

When I scanned my annual tax saver ticket today at the reader it said a purchase was needed. It expired on July 1st. Has anyone else not had the extra 6 months loaded to their card?

Annual Taxsaver Tickets to be extended by Six Months

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