Integrated ticketing - what's the delay?

[David Cochrane]

London's transport system is a marvel in itself, different companies running the different bus and rail services, all coordinated by TFL (Transport for London), one of the most amazing and stress-free things of late is the Oyster card, you can top it up in thousands of shops across the city, and can easily board bus services and tube services. It's a simple concept, and one which works rather well.

However, in Dublin we've been hearing about 'integrated' ticketing for years, with no sign of a solution, far from it, nothing but further delays. The Department of Transport now estimates an integrated system will be in place by 2013.

Labour's spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan TD this morning criticised The Department of Transport over the issue.

The cost of integrated ticketing has skyrocketed from the original €29.6 million budget to at least €50 million. Inexplicably, it also now appears that initially there was no provision to take into account the use of free travel passes by senior citizens and people with disabilities within the integrated ticketing programme, which has contributed to the spiralling budget and ongoing delays. The continuing absence of the new, long touted Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) to drive through integrated ticketing is another critical factor in the lack of substantial progress.

So why the huge delay?

[HanleyS]

The word coming out of the RPA is that the problems are technical in nature. This is pure BS. The problems are purely to do with organisational politics. I cannot believe they expect people to believe otherwise.

[TheBear]

Actually, they anticipate an integrated ticketing system in Dublin by September of next year (which is still years behind schedule). The 2013 date is for the national roll-out.

[seabhcan]

Do any of our esteemed ministers have an IT background? I imagine they're being taken for a very expensive ride by the contractor companies.

[HanleyS]

Actually, they anticipate an integrated ticketing system in Dublin by September of next year (which is still years behind schedule). The 2013 date is for the national roll-out.

Don't hold your breath.

[alonso]

they haven't decided how to split revenue. Total weak kneed nonsense from FF in other words

[seabhcan]

Who is due to retire in 2013?

[David Cochrane]

Do any of our esteemed ministers have an IT background? I imagine they're being taken for a very expensive ride by the contractor companies.

Much like the bus fares.

Badum tsh...........

[digoutday]

I'm an IT person, and have worked in government departments and its comical what goes on.

[seabhcan]

I'm an IT person, and have worked in government departments and its comical what goes on.

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