Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the integrated ticketing project; the timescale and budget this project is working to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12667/07]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Transport the date when integrated ticketing will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12704/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 67 together.

The Integrated Ticketing Project Board has prepared a roadmap for the implementation of integrated ticketing within the Dublin area, based on smartcard technology. Subject to the formal approval of the approach by the relevant Boards of the transport operators, the Integrated Ticketing Project Board will proceed to the next phase of the project which is to go to public procurement.

The Board of the Railway Procurement Agency has sought clarity on a number of issues given that it is currently the statutory body responsible for delivery of integrated ticketing. My Department is involved in discussions with the RPA and the independent chairman of the Integrated Ticketing Project Board with a view to providing the necessary clarifications.

A revised sanction for the project will also be required from the Department of Finance. My Department is in contact with the Department of Finance to finalise this. It is premature to comment on budget and precise timescale at this time pending approvals from the Boards and the necessary sanction from the Department of Finance.

In the interim, there are in place a range of integrated tickets that allow transfers between Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, LUAS and Irish Rail. There are also integrated tickets available between LUAS and the private bus operator, Morton's Coaches. Details of these are available from the operators. More products are being developed in line with market need.