Children in Dublin Commuter Towns to Enjoy 67% Leap Fare Discount

Public transport fares for children in Dublin’s commuter towns are set to decrease significantly, starting September 1, 2023. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced that children under 18 will benefit from a 67% discount on Leap fares compared to adult rates. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and affordability for families using public transport.

The extension of these discounted fares aligns the outer suburbs with the existing discounts in the Dublin City Zone. Earlier this year, the NTA implemented fare adjustments that established four new Leap fare zones across Dublin and its surrounding areas. The new fare structure is part of the NTA’s efforts to foster increased public transport usage and alleviate travel costs for families.

Starting Monday, children using a weekly Leap product for journeys to Dublin city centre will see the price drop from €16 to €10.60, resulting in a savings of €5.40, or approximately 33%. This revised pricing structure will also allow children traveling from Zones 2, 3, and 4 to continue their journeys within the city centre at no additional charge, whether they choose trains, Luas, or Dublin Bus services.

Expanded Benefits for Commuter Towns

The towns set to benefit from this initiative include Balbriggan, Skerries, Greystones, Kilcoole, Kilcock, and Sallins/Naas, all of which fall under Zone 2 of the new commuter fare structure. This extension comes following feedback from families who expressed a need for more affordable transport options in these areas.

Jeremy Ryan, Director of Public Transport Services at the NTA, emphasized the importance of listening to community feedback. “We’ve heard from families and communities across the new commuter zones, and we’ve listened,” he stated. “By aligning child fare discounts across Zones 2, 3, and 4 with those in Dublin City, we’re making public transport more affordable and accessible for young people, wherever they live. It’s a meaningful step toward a more inclusive and connected transport network.”

Interim discounts will also be implemented for weekly products as part of the NTA’s broader fare strategy. More information regarding the updated child products can be found at leapcard.ie or through the Leap top-up app.

This move represents a significant step toward improving public transport accessibility for families in Dublin’s commuter towns, ultimately contributing to a more connected and efficient transport network in the region.