The long-delayed integrated ticketing system for public transport in Dublin will now be introduced in 2005, some six years after the idea was first gained public Ministerial support.
The Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) today said it has approved the introduction of smart cards on private coaches operated by Morton's Coaches.
These cards will allow passengers to pay for their travel in advance. The card can be recharged in multiples of ten. Passengers pay their fare by placing the card against a special surface when entering the vehicle.
According to the RPA the scheme will act as a trial run for the introducing of integrated ticketing. Developing the system is responsibility of the Integrated Ticketing Scheme (ITS) team within the RPA.
Following a Cabinet meeting in November 2000, the then minister for public enterprise, Ms Mary O'Rourke said a plan recommending introduction of the smart card system from the end of 2002 had been approved.
