Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 536: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the implementation and roll-out of the integrated ticket scheme for public transport; the nature of current delays; when will the project be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28436/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010. I understand from the NTA that good progress is being made on the project and it has now progressed towards the final stage of intensive testing for the key participants.

Luas have completed their development and are ready to launch. Technical difficulties which arose during recent testing of Dublin Bus ticketing equipment have now been stabilised. The NTA is also hopeful that certain critical issues identified during testing of Iarnród Eireann's software can be resolved shortly. This would enable a public launch of the three operators together in the system.

Developments on behalf of Bus Éireann and private bus operators continue to make good progress and the current programme shows these operations commencing their integration with ITS this year. I am liaising regularly with the NTA to ensure a successful launch. The results of this final intensive phase of testing will be assessed later this month before initiating a full public launch.