Free Travel Launched for Children Aged 5-8 Across Ireland
Free travel now extended to children aged 5-8 on all TFI services across Ireland, benefiting almost 236,000 additional children and their families nationwide.
Almost quarter of a million children across Ireland can now travel free on buses, trains and trams with the launch of the new TFI Child Leap Card, extending free public transport to youngsters aged 5 to 8 years.
The initiative, announced as part of Budget 2025, builds upon existing free travel for children under five and delivers on Programme for Government commitments to make public transport more affordable for families. Cork parents can apply for the cards online from today through leapcard.ie, with delivery typically within 10 working days.
The scheme covers all Transport for Ireland services, including Bus Éireann routes serving Cork city and county, Irish Rail services on the Cork-Dublin line, and TFI Local Link rural services connecting smaller communities across the region.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien welcomed the launch:
"This expansion will benefit almost 236,000 additional children and their families by providing free travel for under-9s, while also laying the foundations for lifelong sustainable travel habits. From an early age, children will grow accustomed to using buses, trains, and trams as a natural part of daily life."
The card requires children to tap on and off for train and Luas services, and tap on for buses. For intercity services without validators, children should carry the card as their ticket and show it to staff if requested.
Minister of State Séan Canney, with responsibility for International and Road Transport, added:
"Free travel for children aged 5 to 8 will ease the burden for families and make transport more accessible. This policy is part of a broader Government strategy to make public transport more affordable and reduce congestion across the country, but it's also about giving the next generation the confidence to see public transport as their natural first choice."
Parents must upload identification documents including their own passport or driving licence, plus their child's birth certificate or passport when applying. Each application must be submitted separately, though parents can apply for multiple children.
The card expires at the end of the month when a child turns nine, at which point they can use a Child (5-15) Leap Card for discounted fares on TFI services.
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, responsible for Rural Transport, emphasised the scheme's reach:
"Parents juggling school runs or weekend trips into town will now see the benefits of free travel for young children. Importantly, it applies across all TFI services, including Local Link and services under Connecting Ireland, that are the backbone of connectivity for so many rural communities."
Children aged 5-8 must be accompanied by a responsible person with a valid ticket, though some operators may allow unaccompanied travel under specific conditions. The cards cannot hold credit and are designed solely for free travel on TFI services.
The scheme does not apply to commercial services including Bus Éireann's Expressway routes or the School Transport Scheme, where children would need a standard Child (5-15) card for discounted fares.
