In March 2002 S.I. No.84 tasked RPA with providing an integrated ticketing scheme.
In July 2003 RPA appointed Sequoia Smart Solutions as the ITS design contractors.
In February 2004 TNS-MRBI completed one of the largest ever market research exercises into public transport in Ireland, wholly endorsing the ITS smart card concept.
In April 2004 RPA's Integrated Ticketing Department launched a pilot smart card system for Morton's Coaches.
In March 2005 RPA's Integrated Ticketing Department assisted in launching Luas SmartCard.
In July 2006 the Minister for Transport put in place enhanced governance arrangements to ensure the successful delivery of the ITS. This consists of a new project board comprising the chief executives of the various transport bodies as well as a representative of the private bus industry.
In September 2006 the first report of the new project board was submitted to the Minister for review.
In July 2008 commenced a public procurement to find an organisation to provide the operations services for the Integrated Ticketing Scheme
In September 2008 RPA appointed IBM to provide the systems necessary for the ITS back-office.
Luas Smart Card
Luas SmartCard was launched on the 21st of March 2005 by the then Minister for Transport Martin Cullen. The card allows customers to pay-as-they-go when they travel on Luas. Using the card couldn’t be easier. Customers simply present their card to a blue platform validator before boarding and after exiting the tram. The validator emits an audible confirmation and the exact fare is deducted from the card. Cards can be topped up to a maximum value of €100 at any Luas ticket vending machine. The smart card also offers Luas customer’s better value as the smart card single fare is less expensive than purchasing a single ticket from a Luas ticket vending machine.
Cards cost €10 which includes €3 pre-loaded value allowing customers to use their new Luas smart card immediately. Cards can be purchased online at http://luassmartcard.luas.ie, over the phone by calling Free phone 1800 300 604, by postal application, or at any Luas sales agent. Cards purchased online, over the phone or by post can be automatically registered in the customers name so if the card is lost or stolen it can be cancelled and the customer will be issued with a new card. Cards purchased offline (e.g. at sales agents, can be subsequently registered online).
To date 49,000 Luas Smart Cards have been sold. SmartCard users save 25 to 35 cent on off-peak adult single tickets and 35 to 45 cent on adult peak single tickets. This represents an average saving of over 15% on adult off-peak singles (maximum saving is >19%) and 20% on adult peak singles (maximum saving is >24%). Adult passengers save if they use a Smart Card instead of purchasing a return ticket. This represents an average saving of over 7% (maximum saving is 14%).
For further information on the Luas SmartCard, click here.
Contract Award – ITS Back-Office Systems Supply
RPA has appointed IBM Ireland Ltd. to develop the systems necessary to run the ITS back-office. For more details, please click here.
The systems will be delivered on a phased basis over the next 24 months, and will undergo extensive testing before the systems are gradually rolled out. The systems will provide a pay-as-you-go system on re-usable smart cards as well as holding weekly, monthly and annual tickets for regular commuters on Luas, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and privately operated services.
Next Steps
The next step is to appoint an organisation to perform the day-to-day services for the operation of the ITS. This includes the supply of smart cards as well as the provision of retail locations at which customers can reload their cards. This procurement was commenced in July 2008 and the successful organisation will be appointed in time for the public launch of the card.