App-solutely time for a TFI digital overhaul – Boland

Transport for Ireland (TFI) need to consolidate some of its public transport app into a single, user-friendly platform to improve accessibility and convenience for commuters, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Grace Boland said: “Right now, hopping on a bus means hopping between apps. Its time TFI stopped making us leap between apps and get on board with a single, smart solution. Using public transport shouldn’t feel like a digital obstacle course!”

TFI currently has five applications for smartphones, which include a journey planner, a leap card top-up, taxi driver database, an app for public transport tickets and an app for local services in parts of Mayo, Limerick and Kerry.

Deputy Boland has highlighted the need to amalgamate the Journey Planner and the Leap Card Top-Up apps, that would allow users to plan their journey and top-up a Leap Card seamlessly.

“While TFI has made solid progress over the past couple of years in improving transport infrastructure, its digital journey is still stuck in traffic.

“One app for everyone’s needs is way more appealing, especially for younger people and tourists who don’t want to play ‘guess the right app’ before heading off on their journey.

“If we want to encourage more people to use public transport, especially younger commuters and tourists, we need to make it easy. That means one app, one tap, and no more ticket confusion.”

Deputy Boland concluded by saying, “This is a simple fix which could have a big impact. We should make public transport smarter and easier, not harder.”