CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS WILL come into effect on public transport in 2028, over a decade after the technology first began cropping up in European cities.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) said today that the rollout will begin in the Great Dublin Area, with infrastructure for the new system due to appear by next year.

The new technology will allow the public to use bank cards, mobile phones and smart devices to tap onto buses, trains, trams and regional services. The journey cost will be calculated retrospectively and charged to customers’ accounts.

The NTA said Leap Cards, free travel passes and discounted fare products will continue to be supported throughout the transition.

New payment validators will appear from next year, and the modernisation will also upgrade around 240 railway station gates, 1,000 Luas and Iarnród Éireann station validators, and over 2,800 on‑bus validators in the Greater Dublin Area.

The NTA said Leap Cards, free travel passes and discounted fare products will continue to be supported throughout the transition Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and the NTA made the announcement today at the official opening of the Dublin office of Spanish technology and defence company Indra Group.

In 2024, the company won the contract to deliver the contactless payment system. It previously worked on Irish projects such as the platform that enables payment across all of Ireland’s motorways and the tolling technology for the Dublin Tunnel.

The office opening will create around 40 new jobs in software development, systems integration, and operational support, with further recruitment planned as the programme expands.

Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “I look forward to seeing this transformation, making public transport easier for everyone across the country.”

The NTA said the programme will operate across the entire Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, delivering a “single, integrated solution for buses, trains, trams and regional services”.

Anne Shaw, CEO of the NTA, commented: “This investment demonstrates the scale of the programme and our commitment to providing passengers across Ireland with a modern, integrated payment system.”