Dublin Public Transport to Accept Contactless Payments by 2029, Confirms Transport Minister

Contactless payments on Dublin’s rail, bus, and tram routes are expected to be fully operational by 2029, according to Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien. The implementation will allow passengers to reduce their reliance on Leap cards and cash. The rollout will occur in phases, with the first phase scheduled for summer to autumn 2027, followed by subsequent phases based on the success of the initial testing phase. Minister O’Brien emphasized the importance of a gradual rollout to ensure system robustness and minimal changes. The estimated cost of the system to the Exchequer is €165m.

During a Committee meeting, concerns were raised about the delayed introduction of contactless payments in Dublin compared to other European cities. Fine Gael TD Grace Boland criticized the slow pace of implementation, highlighting the convenience and prevalence of contactless systems in other countries. Labour’s transport spokesperson Ciaran Ahern emphasized the decreasing use of cash and physical cards in society, advocating for a quicker adoption of contactless payments in Dublin.

Despite calls for a faster rollout, Minister O’Brien stressed the need for a careful and thorough implementation process to ensure the system's long-term success. The phased approach aims to address any potential challenges and ensure a smooth transition to contactless payments on public transport in Dublin.

According to the source: The Journal.