Contactless Payments to Roll Out Across Public Transport in Phases, Says Minister
Dublin: Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has announced that contactless payment technology will be introduced across Dublin rail, bus, and tram services in a phased rollout, with full implementation expected by 2029.
Speaking before the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Minister O’Brien confirmed that the initiative will be introduced in three stages. The first phase is scheduled to begin this summer and will continue until autumn 2027. The second phase will extend through summer 2028, with the system expected to be fully operational in the third phase by 2029. The total cost of the project is estimated at €165 million.
The new system will allow passengers to pay for journeys using contactless bank cards and mobile devices, reducing the need for Leap cards and cash transactions.
However, several committee members expressed frustration with the lengthy timeline. Fine Gael TD Grace Boland questioned the delay, noting that contactless payment systems have been adopted much more rapidly in other European cities. “Why can’t Dublin implement this with the same urgency? What exactly is holding us back?” she asked.
Labour Party transport spokesperson Kieran Arhen also criticised the slow progress, pointing out that even churches in Ireland are now accepting contactless donations. He described the Leap card as “outdated” and called for more modern solutions.
In response, Minister O’Brien acknowledged the concerns but stressed that the scale and complexity of the infrastructure required a phased approach. “This transition will modernise our fare collection system and enhance the user experience, but it must be implemented in stages to ensure reliability and integration across the network,” he said.
The rollout is part of a broader initiative to improve Ireland’s public transport infrastructure and enhance convenience for passengers.
Irish Samachar English News
{OR} Kindly click to follow the Irish Samachar News channel on WhatsApp
Comments are closed.