Commuters will soon be able to use their contactless credit or debit card to pay fares on public transport.
A pilot scheme for contactless payments is set to be rolled out before the end of the month, a spokesperson for the Minister for Justice has said. Contactless payment will also be used on trains, trams, coaches and the TFI Local LinkCommuters. It will also work on some of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, including Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann.
There will be some tests - including security checks - on the pilot system this week before it is put in place by the end of May. The introduction of contactless payments will likely encourage more people to use public transport and not only those who carry around loose change or possess a Leap card.
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Contactless payment systems are already available in many other countries and capital cities. Contactless options for Tube services in London have been on stream since 2014. Commuters there get discounts by tapping on and tapping off using their smartphone, a wearable such as Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, or a bank card.
National Transport Authority chief Anne Graham said recently that future plans include the complete redesign of the bus routes network to make it more efficient, the development of a new bus corridors network, and the transition to a new low emission vehicle bus fleet.
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