Free travel for children extended in Offaly

Children under the age of nine across Offaly are now eligible for free travel on all public transport in a major expansion of an initiative introduced in Budget 2025 to make public transport more affordable and accessible for families.

With children under five already eligible for free travel, the new TFI Child Leap Card will extend free travel in Offaly on all TFI services for children between five and eight years of age, according to Fine Gael deputy, John Clendennen

Deputy John Clendennen said the card, available through leapcard.ie, will expand free travel to almost a quarter of a million children across Ireland, and added that his party is committed to “alleviating the financial burden associated with transport costs to parents.”

Deputy Clendennen has urged all families in Offaly to apply for the new Leap card for their eligible children.

Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD welcomed the move and said it will allow children to become more familiar with using buses, trains and trams “from an early age.”

He also pointed out that the shceme applies across all TFI services, including Local Link and services under Connecting Ireland, that are the backbone of connectivity for so many rural communities. “This step ensures that families, whether in cities, towns, or villages, can access public transport offerings as part of daily life.”

For more information and to apply for a child leap card, visit leapcard.ie