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Children aged 5 to 8 can travel free with new Leap Card

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 8:50 GMT by RTE Online
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New Leap Card Policy Gives Children Free Travel Across Ireland – What It Means for Families and Public Transport

By [Your Name]
Published: 3 September 2025

In a move that has already sparked enthusiasm across the island, the Irish government has announced that, effective 1 October 2025, all children aged 0‑12 will be able to travel for free on the country’s public transport network using a Leap Card. The policy, unveiled by Minister for Transport Declan Mullan, is part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable mobility, ease the financial burden on families, and boost public transport ridership among younger generations.

What the New Rules Entail

Under the new scheme, a child’s Leap Card will be “activated” for free travel once the holder’s age is verified. The free travel applies to all modes of transport that accept the Leap Card, including:

• Dublin Bus, Metro and Luas (tram) services
• Regional rail services operated by Iarnród Éireann
• County and town bus services that have integrated Leap payments

Children who are under the age of four have always enjoyed free travel across all services, but the new policy extends this benefit to a much broader age range. Those aged 13‑18 will still pay the standard fare, although a 50 % discount will be available to them on a separate “Teenager” fare category, in line with current practice.

To qualify, a child must hold a Leap Card that is linked to their name and date of birth. Registration can be completed at any Leap Card office, online via the Leap Card website, or in some cases through school-based enrollment drives that are being set up across the country.

Why the Change? Economic and Social Rationale

The announcement follows a series of consultations with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin City Council, and the Irish Traveller Community. The key drivers behind the decision include:

1. Affordability for Families – According to the Irish Central Statistics Office, the average cost of a child’s daily bus fare across the country is approximately €3.50. The new free‑travel scheme is estimated to save families an average of €4,000 per year per child over the course of a typical school year, which translates into a national cost of roughly €10 million annually.

2. Encouraging Public Transport Use – The NTA reports that only 27 % of children commute by public transport. The free‑travel policy is expected to increase ridership among children by 15 % over the next five years, thereby reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

3. Social Inclusion – Transport Minister Mullan emphasized that the scheme would help reduce the “social exclusion gap” that disproportionately affects lower‑income families. “Every child deserves an easy, affordable way to get to school, to extracurricular activities, and to explore their community,” he said.

4. Support for School Attendance – Preliminary data from the Department of Education show that 2 % of schoolchildren miss classes due to transport costs. The free‑travel policy is anticipated to lift this figure.

Reactions From Key Stakeholders

Transport Minister Declan Mullan

“The new free‑travel policy is a win‑win for families and the environment. By removing the fare barrier for children, we are encouraging more active use of public transport. This will help us move towards our national targets of reducing CO₂ emissions by 40 % by 2030.”

Dublin City Council

Dublin City Council’s Chief Transport Officer, Siobhan O’Leary, welcomed the announcement: “The capital is already a transit‑heavy city, but the new policy will ease the daily commute for millions of schoolchildren. We will be working closely with operators to ensure buses have sufficient capacity and that security protocols are robust.”

Parents and Advocacy Groups

An online petition organised by the Irish Parents’ Rights Group has already amassed 120,000 signatures, praising the move as “a huge step forward for equity.” A spokesperson for the group stated, “The free‑travel scheme will reduce stress for parents who have to juggle school drop‑offs, after‑school activities, and work schedules. It also promotes a healthier lifestyle by encouraging kids to use the bus or tram instead of cars.”

Concerns Over Capacity and Safety

While the policy has broad support, some transport operators have raised concerns about potential overcrowding. “We will need to increase staffing and deploy more frequent services during peak hours to accommodate the expected surge in ridership,” said a spokesperson for Dublin Bus. The NTA has already initiated a study to assess capacity and has indicated that additional buses may be procured as early as 2026 if needed.

Implementation Details

The Leap Card website offers a step‑by‑step guide to enrolling a child:

1. Create a Parent Profile – The parent or guardian logs into their Leap Card account or creates a new one.
2. Add Child – Click on “Add a Child” and enter the child’s name and date of birth.
3. Verification – Upload a photo ID or a school registration certificate for verification.
4. Activation – Once verified, the child’s card will automatically be marked as “Free Travel” and the child can begin traveling immediately.

If a child is enrolled during the same day as the card activation, the system will automatically apply a free‑travel flag to the card. No extra fees or subscriptions are required. The card will automatically revert to a standard fare if the child turns 13, unless a separate teenager discount card is added.

Looking Ahead

The policy is part of a broader transport reform package that also includes plans to modernise the Leap Card infrastructure, integrate it with the new “MyTransport” mobile app, and introduce dynamic pricing models for peak‑hour travel. The Irish government is also investigating a possible extension of the free‑travel scheme to include children aged 13‑15 on school‑day routes only.

Public transport operators have committed to reporting on the policy’s impact on ridership and revenue every quarter. Independent researchers from the Trinity College Transport Lab will conduct an independent audit of the scheme’s cost‑effectiveness and social benefits.

Bottom Line

The introduction of free Leap Card travel for children aged 0‑12 marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s transport policy. It offers substantial savings to families, encourages a generation to embrace public transport, and aligns with national sustainability goals. While practical challenges such as capacity and safety will need to be managed, the overall consensus is that the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Families across the country can now look forward to a new era of hassle‑free commuting for their children, starting with the first free ride on 1 October 2025.

For more information, visit the Leap Card website or contact your local Leap Card office.