477. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Government’s commitment to introduce contactless fare payments across public transport, including the use of ordinary debit and credit cards and mobile wallets on bus services; the bus services and operators that currently accept contactless bank-card payments; the progress made by the NTA on developing and implementing the new contactless fare-payment system; if the system will provide daily and weekly fare capping comparable with Leap card; and the target date for nationwide availability of contactless bank-card payments on bus services. [62322/26]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Pending this detailed response, I note that the NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.

Following a competitive procurement process, in April 2024 the NTA awarded an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. The successful tenderer has designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.

The Programme for Government commits to rolling out contactless fare payments on all public transport and to keeping fares low and affordable. Contactless fare payments will be introduced initially as part of BusConnects Dublin, before being delivered nationwide, including on Bus Éireann services. The new solution will replace the Leap Card system, which has served over 9 million users since its 2011 launch but is now nearing end-of-life.

A multi-phase plan has been prepared to introduce this new system. In Phase 1 which is targeted for completion by summer 2027, the new ticketing system will be developed, which will include integration with existing Leap cards so that Leap cards can be used on the new equipment.

Phase 2 will see the rollout of devices on bus and Luas services in the Greater Dublin Area, while Phase 3 will similarly see the rollout of devices and turnstiles at all Irish Rail stations in the Greater Dublin Area. To ensure the operability of the 90-minute multi-modal fare within the Greater Dublin Area, Phase 2 and Phase 3 will go live simultaneously, with a current target date of summer 2028. From this point, public transport users in the Greater Dublin Area will be able to use contactless payment across all modes.

Following this, Phase 4 will roll out ticket machines and devices on commuter buses and regional services beyond the Greater Dublin Area.

Separately, the NTA is actively rolling out contactless payments across TFI Local Link services, allowing passengers to pay for single journeys via debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The system is being deployed across all 15 TFI Local Link offices, with full completion expected by the end of 2026. Already this year, contactless payment fares have been rolled out in Laois, Offaly, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.