Minister Kelly releases latest statistics for Leap Card and Real Time Bus App for Dublin
Well over 2 million journeys have now taken place using the new integrated transport ticket for Dublin – the Leap Card.
The card, still early in its development, has seen over 2.4 million journeys take place since it was launched over three months ago according to the latest statistics from the National Transport Authority. There are 79,296 card users with close to €5million (€4.9 million) topped up onto Leap cards.
Commenting on the statistics, Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly TD said it is clear that Dublin commuters are taking enthusiastically to the Leap card and that the way people are using transport in Dublin is changing.
“The Leap card has got off to a flying start so far and it is still early days. 2.4 million journeys have taken place and each journey represents a saving to the customer over the cash fare. There are over 2,000 cards a week are being sold and a typical week sees over 200,000 journeys being completed. It is clear that commuters like the convenience of the card with nearly 80,000 in circulation,” stated Minister Kelly.
The National Transport Authority are continuing to work on a range of additional features to the card including automated top-up, making the card available to Bus Eireann commuters in the GDA as well as student cards and the ability to buy cards and top up at Irish rail stations.
“The roll out of the Leap card continues to be a priority for the Government and the National Transport Authority and credit must go to them for how it has operated so far. We are still only at the first phase of development but the Leap card – which together with initiatives like the Dublin Bus app are making public transport much more attractive.”
Meanwhile the real-time Dublin Bus App is receiving over 100,000 separate real-time information requests on a daily basis. The app, launched last year, uses a bus stop numbering system to inform passengers as to the arrival time of their next bus. Over 82,000 I-phone users and 35,000 android users have downloaded the Dublin Bus app so far. There are also over 30,000 hits on Dublin Bus’s real time passenger information web-page a day.
“The Dublin Bus app is one of the most useful apps currently on the market for commuters. It can make you much more efficient and removes the stress of wondering how far away your bus is. I would encourage those who currently don’t use public transport to both download the app and buy the Leap Card. Being able to know when your service is arriving and using the same ticket to switch between modes is quite a new phenomenon in Dublin but it should make using public transport much more convenient and attractive,” concluded the Minister.
Ends
Issued by:
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Press Office. Caroline Ryan (086) 891 5570.
Notes for Editors:
Useful statistics about the Leap Card and real-time Bus App
· As of 3 April 2012 almost 80,000 Leap Cards in circulation. More than 2,000 Cardsbeing sold per week.
· Up to 3 April 2012, 2,444,954 journeys have been taken.
· A typical week sees over 200,000 journeys being completed using Leap.
· Total value topped up to end March 2012: €4.9 million.
· Total value used in travel to end March 2012: €4.2 million.
· Dublin Bus App receiving over 100,000 separate real-time information requests on a daily basis.
· More than 82,000 I-phone users and 35,000 android users have downloaded the Dublin Bus app so far.