Giant Leap as millions use cards

Charlie Mallon

ALMOST two and a half million journeys have been made using the new Leap cards, far exceeding expectations.

The system has been plagued by complaints since it was launched three months ago -- but commuters are still using it in their droves.

The integrated transport ticket for Dublin has just short of 80,000 users who have taken 2.4 million journeys and spent almost €5m on topping up cards.

The figures were released by the National Transport Authority and were welcomed by Transport Minister Alan Kelly

He said Dublin commuters were taking enthusiastically to the card as the use of transport in the city changed.

He stressed that each journey represented 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."

cmallon@herald.ie