The Irish public has left more than €8.6 million in unused credit on dormant Leap Cards, according to new figures released by the National Transport Authority.
The data, provided to Sinn Féin, shows that these Leap Cards have been inactive for at least five years. Sinn Féin’s transport spokesperson, Louis O’Hara, described the amount of unused credit as “extraordinary”.
He said the figures underline the urgent need to reform Ireland’s public transport payment system, particularly by speeding up the rollout of contactless bank card payments, which are expected to eventually replace Leap Cards.
O’Hara pointed out that the National Transport Authority has confirmed contactless payments are unlikely to be fully operational until 2028. By then, he warned, the amount of unused credit could grow even further.
The scale of the increase is striking.
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In 2019, unused Leap Card credit stood at just €600,000
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By the end of 2025, it had surged to €8.6 million
Although passengers can reclaim unused balances, many are unaware of the process. Credit on dormant, inactive or expired Leap Cards can be refunded by registering the card online and submitting a refund request, though time limits apply.
Sinn Féin says clearer systems, automatic refunds and faster adoption of contactless payments are needed to prevent millions more of passengers’ money being left behind.