I am delighted to say that on Wednesday the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, joined the National Transport Authority (NTA) to announce a fortnight of free travel, from July 6^th  – 19^th inclusive, for all Child Leap Card holders (aged between the ages of 4 and 18).

The free travel will automatically apply when using a child Leap Card on the following services from 6^th to 19^th July:

-All Dublin Bus scheduled services (excluding Airlink)

-All Luas services

-All DART services

-All Commuter Rail services in Dublin’s ‘Short Hop Zone’

-Bus Éireann services where Leap Card Validators are available.This includes Bus Éireann services in Dublin and surrounding counties (Excluding Expressway) and Bus Éireann Services in Cork city, Limerick city, Galway city, and Waterford city.

-Swords Express

-Ashbourne Connect

-Express Bus

-Wexford Bus (Connect services only – the WX1 service in Wexford Town, Wexford to Rosslare, Wexford to Kilmore Quay and Wexford to Castlebridge services)

This free travel promotion will encourage families and children to use public transport for their leisure activities in the school holidays, and to get out and about and enjoy more of what Ireland has to offer. It also highlights the cheaper fares which are available to Child Leap Card holders, and serves as a reminder for families to get their Leap Cards, and to get used to using them, in plenty of time before the new school year begins.

Minister Donohoe said: ‘As the Leap card continues to be rolled-out, more and more people are availing of cheaper travel. The success of the scheme is evidenced by the fact that we recently saw the one millionth Leap Card sold since its launch, delivering 20% transport savings to users. This initiative will further promote the scheme and encourage greater pick-up by commuters. More than that, it rewards Leap Card users, giving them a valuable incentive they will feel in their pocket, at a time when they are out and about enjoying what we hope will be July summer sun’.

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said: ‘This is the second year for our summertime ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion.  In 2014, we had a great response to the scheme, and with even more operators on board this year, and with Leap Card available in more parts of Ireland, we’re confident that this year will be even stronger.  We are particularly keen that those in the senior cycle of secondary school apply for their personalised card so that they can enjoy the cheapest fares for getting to and from school, and for their extra-curricular activities.

Full details on where to get a Child Leap card, including identification requirements for older teens, are available online  www.childleapcard.ie/