The National Transport Authority (NTA) is in the process of appointing a supplier to develop its “next generation ticketing” system. Digital payment options that would allow passengers to pay with contactless bank cards, smartphones and QR codes could be available by 2023 or 2024.
It was previously informed that cashless payments could replace Leap Cards by the year 2027, but current plans suggest that this option could be available sooner. Leap Cards are expected to remain for a while, but a virtual Leap may be introduced which passengers could store digitally in their smartphone wallet.
The new system will mark a large change in how tickets and fares work in Ireland, starting on Dublin buses under BusConnects and expanding to other parts of the country.
From banknotes , vending machines, tickets ,cards many objects help to spread coronavirus. Since COVID is very infectious and can persist on objects longer than we think, there is a need for disinfection and other safety measures in public places especially in transport sector. This presents great challenges to transit agencies and operators: there are touchscreens, keypads, vending machines and POS terminals to disinfect, not to mention the measures to be taken to protect drivers from handling cash.
The Social distancing measures due to pandemic have led to a preference for contactless payments, making cash payments less desirable. Contactless payments are fast becoming mainstream across the globe and almost 50% of worldwide shoppers are using contactless payments more than they were before the pandemic.
The NTA’s head of ticketing technology Barry Dorgan said “ That’s still a bit away, those technologies are still in the early stages, but if you can imagine, once you have your Leap card or bank card on your phone – for a while you’ll have to take out your card or phone and tap it against the reader, but at some point in time we’d like it to be so that you don’t even have to take your phone out of your pocket. Your phone just beeps as you get on public transport and when you get off the bus it beeps again. It says you got on and were on the bus for X minutes and therefore your charge is Y.”
How does contactless ticketing work?
Passengers tap their contactless EMV bank cards, smartphones or wearable devices on validators found in stations or on transport vehicles and the system calculates the most advantageous fare based on level of usage. There is no need for a paper ticket and no confusion over how to pay for transport for out-of-town visitors.
Benefits of electronic payments for public transport providers and customers
Contactless bank cards and virtual cards on smartphones and smartwatches help transit providers improve customer experience and safety, lower their carbon footprint, and save money in the process.
- Drivers don’t need to accept cash payments,
- Digital payments provide for a quick transit with no queues – passengers can check-in under 0.5 seconds.
- Sensitive data is processed under high-security standards, ensuring anonymity for customers and their sensitive bank card details.
- The elimination of printed tickets and vending machines makes the transport system greener.
- Electronic payment solutions support multi-acquiring, giving transport operators the power of choice.
- A payment switch optimizes payment transfers between transport providers reducing transaction fees.
- Digitalisation yields operation cost.
In 2019, the NTA awarded a contract worth €3.6 million for the development of a new mobile ticketing app , which was given to UK-based company Cubic Transportation Systems. Many other countries in Europe have introduced cashless options for public transport payment over the past several years, including Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom