Real time information street signs & public transport app crashes far too often – Boland

Urgent improvements are needed to Transport for Ireland’s (TFI) real-time passenger information systems, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Grace Boland said Dublin commuters have been left without reliable updates on both on-street screens and mobile apps during the morning rush hour on two separate occasions in less than a fortnight.

Real time displays failed across the TFI network on 13 January and again on 20 January.

Deputy Boland said that dependable real time information is now a core part of the public transport system and that failures have a direct impact on people’s daily lives.

“When real time displays freeze, when apps present contradictory information or when there is complete silence during major disruptions, passengers are left stranded and frustrated. This is happening too often and it must urgently be addressed.

“Dublin Bus stated that the most recent outage arose from a system update carried out last Tuesday morning. The National Transport Authority (NTA) oversees this system. It is reasonable to ask why such updates cannot be completed overnight, rather than during peak commuter hours.

“If we are serious about encouraging people out of their cars and easing congestion, then we must provide public transport users with clear, accurate and timely information. This is simply not happening.

In a parliamentary question, Deputy Boland sought clarity from Iarnród Éireann as to how it communicates service updates to passengers and requested alternatives to communicating disruption information through X. In response to Deputy Boland, Iarnród Éireann stated that it is now examining updates to its website and app to allow manual posting of service alerts during significant delays.

“I am pleased to see Iarnród Éireann take these positive steps to improve how they communicate with customers.

“However, there is a real need for significant improvements to TFI’s customer communications across all modes of public transport, especially during service disruptions.

“Last week, at the Public Accounts Committee, I raised with the NTA  persistent communication issues and the need for reliable public transport information. The NTA gave me a commitment to review how public transport providers communicate effectively with customers.”

Deputy Boland said strengthening communication infrastructure must be a priority if Ireland is to increase public transport use.

“We are asking people to trust the system. To earn that trust, real time information must be accurate, timely and dependable.”