Cross-border annual tickets

James Howard · 08-12-2018, 09:32

My last pass which expired a year ago was a point-to-point and was loaded on a leap card. There was nothing on the card to indicate where it was valid but the ticket collectors on Sligo seemed to have a device to read Leap cards. They never checked me since I know them all.

The point-to-point leap cards started at least 3 years ago for me so if you still have one of the old-style tickets, I suspect you'll continue to get one since everyone in my office move to leap-style tickets several years ago.

Perhaps they use them for anyone cross-border for the very reason that you've raised - the NIR staff can't read them.

Padna · 08-12-2018, 21:11

I was told by a Taxsaver staff member that they would no longer be issuing me with an 'old-style card' with the station names and expiry date printed on it. I guess they have totally eliminated them now and all new point-to-point tickets will be loaded onto Leap cards.

I guess the only option will be to keep the receipt I get when I buy the 'Leap card' annual ticket and bring it with me every day to show to Translink staff along with my Leap card.

It doesn't seem like the brightest idea to however to switch the cross-border tickets to Leap cards - or am I incorrect to presume that the Leap cards are unreadable in the North?

Inniskeen · 08-12-2018, 23:50

If that is the case I would insist on them giving you a covering letter referencing the Leap card number and explaining the validity.

James Shields · 11-12-2018, 12:46

I've had my annual Drogheda-Dublin point-to-point loaded on to a Leap card for several years (I'd guess the last 4). Prior to that I had an Irish Rail smart card with the ticket details printed on it, and prior to that a plastic magnetic card.

As you say, the Leap card doesn't have the station names or validity date printed anywhere. The other problem with it is that revenue protection staff only have a scanner that tells them whether I tagged on or not. This means that the Leap card isn't really suitable if one of the endpoints doesn't have a tag-on/tag-off point, which to the best of my knowledge is still the case in many rural stations.

Up to now, the Irish Rail smart cards have always been an option if you regularly use a station without a reader. If Irish Rail are taking away this option, they need to offer an acceptable alternative for people using stations without smartcard readers.

This issue isn't limited to cross-border passengers.

Mark Gleeson · 11-12-2018, 14:32

The current issue Leap reader has two features, a simple green/red to confirm tagged on. However if you are not tagged on they can see on the screen the ticket information.

I have routinely travelled on an annual ticket without being tagged on and it has never been an issue.

An Android based phone app for transport operator use is apparently floating around. The existing top up app is actually usable as a revenue protection tool if pushed as it has your tickets and balance on it and last 5 tag on/off events

Enterprise staff should have a Leap reader already

comcor · 11-12-2018, 14:49

Even if you don't have Android, you can call up the Leap website with other operating systems, and that has details of the loaded tickets, plus the Leap Card number, so there is that evidence.

However, can you load a ticket in Dundalk station? Or does it become as painful as trying to sort out bus commuting on a Leap Card?

Mark Gleeson · 11-12-2018, 22:33

Dundalk has full exit validation gates

The Android app requires no details just present the card to the phone.

11-12-2018, 14:32	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The current issue Leap reader has two features, a simple green/red to confirm tagged on. However if you are not tagged on they can see on the screen the ticket information. I have routinely travelled on an annual ticket without being tagged on and it has never been an issue. An Android based phone app for transport operator use is apparently floating around. The existing top up app is actually usable as a revenue protection tool if pushed as it has your tickets and balance on it and last 5 tag on/off events Enterprise staff should have a Leap reader already __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

11-12-2018, 22:33	#7
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Dundalk has full exit validation gates The Android app requires no details just present the card to the phone. __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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08-12-2018, 09:32	#1
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	My last pass which expired a year ago was a point-to-point and was loaded on a leap card. There was nothing on the card to indicate where it was valid but the ticket collectors on Sligo seemed to have a device to read Leap cards. They never checked me since I know them all. The point-to-point leap cards started at least 3 years ago for me so if you still have one of the old-style tickets, I suspect you'll continue to get one since everyone in my office move to leap-style tickets several years ago. Perhaps they use them for anyone cross-border for the very reason that you've raised - the NIR staff can't read them.

08-12-2018, 21:11	#2
Padna Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 69	I was told by a Taxsaver staff member that they would no longer be issuing me with an 'old-style card' with the station names and expiry date printed on it. I guess they have totally eliminated them now and all new point-to-point tickets will be loaded onto Leap cards. I guess the only option will be to keep the receipt I get when I buy the 'Leap card' annual ticket and bring it with me every day to show to Translink staff along with my Leap card. It doesn't seem like the brightest idea to however to switch the cross-border tickets to Leap cards - or am I incorrect to presume that the Leap cards are unreadable in the North?

08-12-2018, 23:50	#3
Inniskeen Really Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 951	If that is the case I would insist on them giving you a covering letter referencing the Leap card number and explaining the validity.

11-12-2018, 12:46	#4
James Shields Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drogheda, Ireland Posts: 1,275	I've had my annual Drogheda-Dublin point-to-point loaded on to a Leap card for several years (I'd guess the last 4). Prior to that I had an Irish Rail smart card with the ticket details printed on it, and prior to that a plastic magnetic card. As you say, the Leap card doesn't have the station names or validity date printed anywhere. The other problem with it is that revenue protection staff only have a scanner that tells them whether I tagged on or not. This means that the Leap card isn't really suitable if one of the endpoints doesn't have a tag-on/tag-off point, which to the best of my knowledge is still the case in many rural stations. Up to now, the Irish Rail smart cards have always been an option if you regularly use a station without a reader. If Irish Rail are taking away this option, they need to offer an acceptable alternative for people using stations without smartcard readers. This issue isn't limited to cross-border passengers.

11-12-2018, 14:49	#6
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	Even if you don't have Android, you can call up the Leap website with other operating systems, and that has details of the loaded tickets, plus the Leap Card number, so there is that evidence. However, can you load a ticket in Dundalk station? Or does it become as painful as trying to sort out bus commuting on a Leap Card?