TFI Leap Card Guide & FAQ (Updated Jan 2020)

Victor · 12-01-2020 6:56pm

That shouldn't be a problem. if you already have a ticket on the adult car, they may ask that you return that before they reissue the ticket on the personalised card.

Dravokivich · 12-01-2020 10:47pm

Nothing transfers between cards.

UnGroomed · 13-01-2020 1:14pm

Hi,

I just have a quick query regarding the Redcow park & ride and using a Leap card.

Twice a week for the next year I will need to park my car at the Redcow and get the Luas into Abbey St. I've done this a handful of times but never on a "daily basis" so I'm wondering if it is worth while getting a Leap Card, will I save any money using it?

The trip schedule: Tuesday/Wednesday Arrive at Redcow @5pm park car, get Luas into Abbey st. & get return Luas at 10pm.

Any info or help is much appreciate. I've had a look at both the Luas and TFI websites and I don't see anything that mentions Park & Ride while using a Leap card.

Cheers!

**Sorry if this isn't the correct forum to post this query

Dravokivich · 13-01-2020 1:28pm

Your leap card doesnt pay for the parking.

UnGroomed · 13-01-2020 1:36pm

Are you able to pay for parking separately then use the leap card to pay for the Luas?

Dravokivich · 13-01-2020 1:47pm

Yeah

RedLeftHand · 06-02-2020 8:51pm

Hi, I'm trying to install the Leap Top Up app on my parent's phones (Xiaomi Redmi Note 8) but I've received an error message, "your device is not compatible with this version". Is this something that will be rectified, or is there at least an alternative way to top up via mobile?

marieholmfan · 06-02-2020 8:58pm

I've three dead leap cards how do I get the balance back . Would be about seven euro across all three

Victor · 07-02-2020 3:29pm

RedLeftHand wrote: »

Hi, I'm trying to install the Leap Top Up app on my parent's phones (Xiaomi Redmi Note 8) but I've received an error message, "your device is not compatible with this version". Is this something that will be rectified, or is there at least an alternative way to top up via mobile?

Assuming this is an Android phone, you will need to update the version of Android via the phone's own system.

Victor · 07-02-2020 3:31pm

marieholmfan wrote: »

I've three dead leap cards how do I get the balance back . Would be about seven euro across all three

You shoul be able to get your deposits also. Talk to Leap Card customer service https://about.leapcard.ie/card-replacement-refunds

OU812 · 07-02-2020 3:35pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

Your leap card doesnt pay for the parking.

In a Luas Carpark (or train station/bus car park), it's insane that you cant pay for parking with your leap card.

OU812 · 07-02-2020 3:36pm

Is there any plans for the iPhone to be able to top up leapcards not that it's NFC capabilities are open to transit?

marieholmfan · 07-02-2020 3:44pm

Victor wrote: »

You shoul be able to get your deposits also. Talk to Leap Card customer service https://about.leapcard.ie/card-replacement-refunds

Thank you victor.

Victor · 07-02-2020 5:27pm

OU812 wrote: »

Is there any plans for the iPhone to be able to top up leapcards not that it's NFC capabilities are open to transit?

Ultimately, that is the objective. It will be down to Apple opening it to public transport in Ireland, a technical solution and financial agreement.

BeerNut · 13-02-2020 8:56am

Victor wrote: »

It will be down to Apple opening it to public transport in Ireland, a technical solution and financial agreement.

iOS 13, released last September, was a big step forward with this so I'd say it won't be too long.

wench · 13-02-2020 1:43pm

Joshycat wrote: »

Hi,

I am useless when it comes to working this stuff out so could some please explain this for me.

I have a student leap card which I spend 20 euro a week on for Dublin Bus. It is capped so I never spend more than 20 euro.

I am starting a new job that does taxsaver. Salary is €25681 before tax per annum. I am single.

(I will be paid monthly if that makes a difference)

Which is better value continuing to use my student leap card at 20 euro a week. Or taxsaver annual Dublin Bus only for €1450?

Thanks

Will you continue to qualify as a student? If not, the weekly cap would rise to €27.50, which changes things.

The ticket would cost you 1044 after the tax saving, so essentially still 20 a week.

As there is no saving, and you won't be working 52 weeks a year, I would stick with using the leap.

p_haugh · 13-02-2020 2:30pm

BeerNut wrote: »

iOS 13, released last September, was a big step forward with this so I'd say it won't be too long.

Thing is, the NTA might not bother implementing it if they’re going to be changing the way leap works under bus connects in a few years

BeerNut · 13-02-2020 3:21pm

p_haugh wrote: »

bus connects in a few years

What a soothing combination of words

Leap is more than Dublin city buses, though.

coylemj · 13-02-2020 6:15pm

If you have an Airlink single or return ticket and cash credit on your Leap card, can you validate on the right and will it dock one of the Airlink journeys or do you have to ask the driver to do it? I don't want the single fare (€7) docked from my credit.

bg07 · 13-02-2020 6:28pm

coylemj wrote: »

If you have an Airlink single or return ticket and cash credit on your Leap card, can you validate on the right and will it dock one of the Airlink journeys or do you have to ask the driver to do it? I don't want the single fare (€7) docked from my credit.

I made this mistake before. No you must go to the driver. At the right hand side validator you pay the full single fare. I contacted leapcard about this previously, apparently on the return journey it works on the right hand side. Not that you'll find this instruction anywhere on their website or when purchasing the ticket.

Dravokivich · 13-02-2020 9:32pm

On Dublin bus, with the right hand validator it should always look for a valid ticket first, then go to credit if no ticket is found. If you have a ticket and incorrectly charged, the driver can annul it, within 10 minutes of the transaction, once you didn't do anything else with the card.

If unsure you can approach a driver and they are able to validate any valid tickets for the journey.

Usually you only need to go to a driver if you want to use credit instead of a ticket. Eg, on a day you are only doing 1 journey, paying for it instead of using a rambler.

coylemj · 14-02-2020 12:06am

bg07 wrote: »

I made this mistake before. No you must go to the driver. At the right hand side validator you pay the full single fare.

Dravokivich wrote: »

On Dublin bus, with the right hand validator it should always look for a valid ticket first, then go to credit if no ticket is found.

Thanks for the responses folks. The Leap Card website agrees with Dravokivich....

How does the validator know whether to use the Travel Credit or Ticket on my card?

Validators are programmed to check if your card has a valid ticket for the applicable service first. If there is a valid ticket on the card, it simply validates and no Travel Credit is deducted. If there is no valid ticket for the service, the Validator will use Travel Credit instead.

https://about.leapcard.ie/about/card-ticket-types

bg07 · 14-02-2020 12:49am

coylemj wrote: »

Thanks for the responses folks. The Leap Card website agrees with Dravokivich....

How does the validator know whether to use the Travel Credit or Ticket on my card?

Validators are programmed to check if your card has a valid ticket for the applicable service first. If there is a valid ticket on the card, it simply validates and no Travel Credit is deducted. If there is no valid ticket for the service, the Validator will use Travel Credit instead.

https://about.leapcard.ie/about/card-ticket-types

Email I got from Dublin Bus when I complained when I followed the above advice and it didn't work (Leapcard support line only told me to contact Dublin Bus);

Case Reference: XXXXXX

Dear Mr. XXXXXC

Thank you very much for your email.

When you have a prepaid return ticket on your Leap Card, you need to approach the driver to tell him and hold your Leap Card on the driver's machine to start to use it. Once the ticket is activated you can use the return part by just scanning your Leap Card on the right hand side machine. This was created to prevent unnecessary activations if you have several tickets on your Leap Card.

I am afraid I am not in a position to offer you a refund of your travel credit, as you have used the Ailink Express service and as you said you still have an unused ticket on your Leap Card, which won't expire if you haven't activated it.

I hope you will find my email helpful.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX xxxxxxx
Commercial Department

coylemj · 14-02-2020 3:02am

bg07 wrote: »

This was created to prevent unnecessary activations if you have several tickets on your Leap Card.

I suppose you could have a Rambler and an Airlink on your Leap card. Then I looked at the Rambler 5 day ticket and that looks like a much better option for me because the daily cost is just €6.50 which is less than the Leap daily bus cap of €7 and it would allow me to get a regular Dublin Bus service from my home to connect to the Airlink and get to the airport, all for €6.50

The Rambler ticket won't cover a Go Ahead bus service but for trips to the airport, I'd only be using DB so I'll use this Airlink return ticket but for the next trip, I'll have a 5 day Rambler.

Victor · 14-02-2020 4:19am

coylemj wrote: »

I suppose you could have a Rambler and an Airlink on your Leap card. Then I looked at the Rambler 5 day ticket and that looks like a much better option for me because the daily cost is just €6.50 which is less than the Leap daily bus cap of €7 and it would allow me to get a regular Dublin Bus service from my home to connect to the Airlink and get to the airport, all for €6.50

Check the rules about Airlink, Ramblers and capping.

The Rambler ticket won't cover a Go Ahead bus service

It might.

devnull · 14-02-2020 10:13am

coylemj wrote: »

The Rambler ticket won't cover a Go Ahead bus service but for trips to the airport, I'd only be using DB so I'll use this Airlink return ticket but for the next trip, I'll have a 5 day Rambler.

Rambler Tickets cover all Dublin City Bus services, including Go-Ahead (see here)

I'd strongly advise you to rely on the TFI Leap Card website for information on topics such as this, because as such website is independent of operators it has no qualms about mentioning all of the operators where tickets are valid on.

Dravokivich · 14-02-2020 10:27am

bg07 wrote: »

Email I got from Dublin Bus when I complained when I followed the above advice and it didn't work (Leapcard support line only told me to contact Dublin Bus);

Case Reference: XXXXXX

Dear Mr. XXXXXC

Thank you very much for your email.

When you have a prepaid return ticket on your Leap Card, you need to approach the driver to tell him and hold your Leap Card on the driver's machine to start to use it. Once the ticket is activated you can use the return part by just scanning your Leap Card on the right hand side machine. This was created to prevent unnecessary activations if you have several tickets on your Leap Card.

I am afraid I am not in a position to offer you a refund of your travel credit, as you have used the Ailink Express service and as you said you still have an unused ticket on your Leap Card, which won't expire if you haven't activated it.

I hope you will find my email helpful.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX xxxxxxx
Commercial Department

That response you received is wrong and unused tickets (or a pro rata of unused increments) on a leap card can be refunded, but it's a pain to pursue. Also, its wrong to say it won't expire. Their products expire after an amount of time, (I don't know what it is). And you won't be able to claim a refund for an expired, unused ticket.

coylemj wrote: »

The Rambler ticket won't cover a Go Ahead bus service but for trips to the airport, I'd only be using DB so I'll use this Airlink return ticket but for the next trip, I'll have a 5 day Rambler.

It does, unless there is a special designated route, run as an additional service to the current contract. Fares and tickets needed to be paired for Dublin Bus, exDublin Bus services, so as not to hinder the passenger. They apply to the same fare cap, give the same Leap90 rebates.

coylemj · 14-02-2020 12:41pm

Daily fare capping is €7 for bus journeys in one day using a Leap card. Which does not include Airlink. So using my Leap credit, several bus journeys around town would see me capped at €7 but if I then hopped on an Airlink to the airport, it would cost me an additional €7.

Whereas if I bought a five day Rambler ticket for €33, I could do all of those journeys for €6.60 and save €7.40. If you're doing even one short bus journey on the same day as you use the Airlink, it's cheaper to use a day off a Rambler ticket. Otherwise, you'd buy a return Airlink ticket for €12 and each leg will cost you €6.

extremehalo · 15-03-2020 10:56am

So just looking into the option of a leap card.

If unused does the card expire?
Or do you lose the credit if unused for a good period of time?

Worztron · 15-03-2020 11:09am

extremehalo wrote: »

So just looking into the option of a leap card.

If unused does the card expire?
Or do you lose the credit if unused for a good period of time?

Hi extremehalo. No & no, AFAIK. The card has an expiry date but that's a long way off - mine is 2030.

TFI Leap Card Guide & FAQ (Updated Jan 2020)

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