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Integrated Ticketing System

In 2001, RPA was mandated by the Minister of Transport to introduce an Integrated Ticketing Scheme (ITS), initially in the Greater Dublin Area and subsequently all across the country. The mandate required RPA to implement a system which has the following set of core objectives:

  • Customer Centric
  • Backed by Regulator and Operators
  • Based on a sound business model
  • Use of modern technology i.e. Smart Cards

RPA was given the task to develop, specify, procure and operate such a system whilst at the same time setup an organisation that could operate separately under the supervision of the Regulator. To fulfil this mandate, RPA setup the Integrated Ticketing Scheme (ITS) Project Team.

RPA has been given the responsibility to design and implement a smart card based ticketing system that will provide the ticketing platform for the different providers of public transport. This section will provide details of our progress towards achieving the smart card ticketing system for the Greater Dublin Area.

Benefits of Integrated Ticketing System
Integrated Ticketing Scheme will completely change the way you view public transport across Ireland. It will have such a profound impact that it will be hard to imagine travelling without an ITS Card.

Why Smart Cards
ITS Cards are the de-facto standard for electronic ticketing in public transport. Customers just wave their card over a reader at the gate or point of entry, benefiting from improved convenience and speed in the ticketing process. With an immense worldwide installed base, it is a well proven technology, and is currently used in high volume public transport ticketing in cities such as Hong Kong,London, Belfast, Nottingham, Singapore and many more.

Customer Benefits of ITS Cards

  • Reduced boarding times
  • Shorter queues for tickets
  • No need to have the correct change
  • Fast, secure and convenient transactions
  • Minimises need for cash
  • Reusability: the ability to recharge the card

Operators Benefits of ITS Cards

  • Minimises need for cash and cash management
  • Facilitates seamless travel and transfer across different operators
  • Can improve transportation service by making it easier to use the system
  • Tamper proof storage of transaction activities
  • Decreased levels of fare evasion and fraud loss
  • Reliable and proven technology in volume production
  • Cards can support multiple different applications on the chip, each with its own dedicated keys and memory area.
  • Cheaper maintenance costs as readers do not have moving parts
  • Card can be used for other purposes other than travel e.g. toll roads, building access control etc...
  • Provides a tool to implement creative and flexible fare policies and hence influence usage
  • Can be used to manage passenger numbers (e.g. prevent overcrowding) in a closed system

Current Status
IBM have commenced the development and modification of the systems to be provided for the ITS back-office. 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.

Integrated Smart Card Ticketing in the Greater Dublin Area
The integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area is being introduced on a phased basis, based on smart card technology, over the period to the start of 2011. A progressive approach is being adopted to allow customers to familiarise themselves with using the new system and to permit transport operators to undertake the necessary replacement of magnetic strip technology, the testing of smart cards and the integration of the various technologies involved.

Click here for more information about ITS from RPA