Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Transport his timetable for the introduction of integrated ticketing and if this will include Luas, DART, Dublin Bus, and Bus Éireann in a single system. [27874/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has been the statutory body responsible for the delivery of a multi-operator system of integrated public transport ticketing using smartcard technology. The RPA were introducing the system on a phased basis in line with international experience, initially in the Dublin area, and in consultation with public transport providers.

As part of the phased introduction of smartcard-based integrated ticketing, Morton's Coaches, in conjunction with the RPA and as a 'proof of concept', successfully launched smartcards on its services in April 2004. Another step was taken in March of last year with the launch of smartcards on Luas services. The Luas smartcard deployment continues to help in obtaining important feedback from passengers and provide operational experience for the next stage of integrated ticketing. In excess of 11,000 smartcards have been purchased to date for use on Luas services.

Following an inconclusive procurement procedure in 2005, the RPA, in consultation with the different State and private transport providers, presented proposals to my Department in January 2006. My Department has now completed an examination of these proposals and has also considered the recommendations of an independent high-level Review of the project and the recommendations of a Peer Review initiated in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines on the management of major ICT projects.

Arising from these considerations, I am now in the process of putting in place enhanced governance arrangements for the completion of the project. These arrangements will include the establishment of a Project Board with responsibility for delivering the project. The Project Board will comprise senior representatives of the main transport stakeholders. One of the immediate tasks of the Project Board will be to report to me with revised timelines for the delivery of the project.