Public transport contactless payments is being pushed out further and further – Boland

Contactless payments across Dublin’s public transport system has become an illusion that is being pushed out further and further, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Fingal West, said the latest development that contactless payments will not become a reality for all of Dublin’s commuters until 2029 – at the earliest – is simply another blow to hard pressed commuters.

An Oireachtas Transport meeting heard today that the new payments system will be introduced in sections of the capital on a trial basis in 2027 but not rolled out fully across Dublin until 2029.

Deputy Boland said she cannot understand how contactless payments cannot occur quicker in this country when other European cities and capitals have had it rolled out far quicker including London (2012), Milan (2018) and Athens (2025).

“Why the delay, what is the issue here? Other cities have it. Greece defaulted on a debt repayment ten years ago and they have it rolled out now.

“Anyone travelling to London can see people using their smartphones everywhere on public transport. Why are we so late using the technology here?

“This is simply not good enough. Contactless payments must be introduced across Dublin far quicker than 2029.

“A growing city needs the proper infrastructure to support it and a proper functioning transport system making life far easier for commuters is immediately required,” Deputy Boland said.