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THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT Authority (NTA) has recently launched a pilot version of its mobile ticketing app for a small-scale trial which, if successful, will be rolled out across the country.
The pilot is part of the authority’s wider plans to modernise and link the ticketing system across all networks.
Last year the NTA awarded a contract worth €3.6 million for the development of a new mobile ticketing app that allows commuters to purchase and display their tickets on their phone. The tickets available for sale through the app are likely to include “multi-operator and multi-modal tickets”.
The NTA also said last year that it was progressing plans to introduce an Account Based Ticketing system across the entire network.
This would allow passengers to pay for their journey through their mobile phones, bank cards or official ID card or passport, removing the need to carry a special card, such as a Leap card, for commuting.
In response to a recent parliamentary question from Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy, chief executive of the NTA Anne Graham said work on preparation for the “Next Generation Ticketing programme” is well advanced.
“The work comprises a series of projects to modernise the ticketing experience across the country and will be the next evolution of the current Leap integrated ticketing system,” she said.
Graham said as well as the option of using a smartphone or bank card, payment methods will be “smarter” with a greater choice of pre-paid and post-payment options and a system whereby the best fare for customers can be automatically charged.
“Better mobile apps and near real-time information on payments will be available,” she said. “In addition, the systems will cater for services not covered by Leap Card currently, such as inter-city rail services where customers typically book and pay online for their ticket.”
Graham said a pilot version of the NTA’s mobile ticketing app, for which the contract was awarded last year, has recently commenced with a limited trial on Bus Éireann route 133 between Wicklow and Dublin.
“Subject to trial, this mobile ticketing app will be gradually rolled out to other Bus Éireann bus services as well as being extended to other operators across the country.”
Graham said it is not possible to give a timeframe for the delivery of the wider programme until the NTA receives approvals under the public spending code.
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Works at airports fine; if mobile phones, bank cards, passports and other valuable ID docs. etc. can be protected from hackers or thieves great. But I might be more comfortable with a system that doesn’t require a daily scan of my bank card or phone for example, when valuables can easily fall into the wrong hands.
@ARTALIS: daily scan of your bank card…. Wut…..
It’s about time. Seems silly you can’t pay on local buses with contactless bank card but instead need a leap card which is essentially another type of contactless card LOL. Surely safer for bus drivers not to be carrying cash around too.
@Dr Alison O’ Connor: was about to say this. In London you just tap your bank card to use the tube.
@Sam Harms: and in London the system also applies a daily and weekly cap, just like leap! You can download a statement to check as well
Ah yes more contactless payments which is great in theory for those who don’t have change and wanna use it, but remember folks were it not for covid 19, those money hungry piglets in the banks would be now charging you for contactless. So the app is a great idea, but do remember this is Ireland where anything for our benefit that involves money will always mean somebody somewhere is making off it
Oh. Big Brother will be thrilled.
@Joe Bridgeman: Says the person commenting using a Facebook account.
@Joe Bridgeman: I’m as cautious as they come, but paying by contactless has huge advantages to the user, and it’s completely optional. As long as it stays optional, I think it’s great.
Maybe extent it to Taxis
They’ll love that.
That should work well during the second lock down
Great idea. It will make transport so much easier for tourists and those in the country for a few days, not to mention everyone else. Possibly not great if you don’t pay taxes.
Other countries, eg Germany, have had this for years. A QR, or similar, uploads to the phone, which the conductor scans and it’s done.
It’ll be difficult for tour guides and such who literally live off the tips. Must we now carry card-readers?
Still I The 60,s never changing,
QR codes are the way to go as not all phones have NFC.
This will be great when it does happen! It amazes me that I can top up my leap card using NFC on my phone, and I can use the same tech to use my phone as a payment card, but I can’t use my phone as a leap card essentially. Leap Card should be jumping on this
€3.6 million to develop a ticketing app. How many apps are there out there that were written by a guy in his kitchen and then made a fortune off it. Get a government body involved and the word “millions” always seems to come into the conversation.
have your say