[article] Iarnrod Eireann developing new stopgap ticketing system

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Sunday Tribune

Iarnrod Eireann developing new stopgap ticketing system
Ken Griffin

IARNROD EIREANN has begun work on developing its own new ticketing system, which will be used in the greater Dublin area, despite the existence of a long-awaited integrated ticketing scheme for Dublin.

Like a similar scheme announced by Dublin Bus in January, the ticketing system will involve 'interim' smartcards, which passengers will be unable to use on other company's services.

The move comes as it emerged this week that the integrated ticketing system, which was originally mooted in 1999, will not become a reality until 2009 at the earliest.

Minister for State Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher told the Seanad this week that the system would be launched on Luas and bus services in August 2009 and would be extended to rail services within the following year.

Despite the delays, Iarnrod Eireann said that its new ticketing system was not intended to be a substitute for integrated ticketing.

"Integrated Ticket is, of course, initially a greater Dublin area project and our national services are working on an outdated ticketing system which needs renewal, " said a spokesman.

He said that the new system would be fully compatible with the integrated ticketing system as all recent ticketing measures introduced by the company had been. These include new ticket gates at major Dublin stations such as Connolly, Tara Street and Docklands.

"The measures involve more than just a smartcard.

A lot of it is about getting software that will give us extra flexibility in terms of introducing new ticketing types and allowing for more promotions, " he said.

Iarnrod Eireann will also look at mobile phone and home-print ticket technology as part of the development of the new system.

A spokesman for Rail Users Ireland said passengers were frustrated with the delays in the launch of the integrated ticketing scheme.

"The key problem is that everyone is minding their own turf. Under a smartcard system, each company would no longer have control over prices because someone independent would have to set them, " he said.

He said there was nothing difficult about implementing a smartcard system, particularly as there was an internationally recognised standard for the cards. "It works in London and there's no reason why it can't be done here."

He added that Iarnrod Eireann's decision to install a new system could be a step in the right direction as the company would have a crucial role to play in the integrated ticketing project.

http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_s...TNAME=Business

If I'm reading this correctly it sounds like its got nothing to do with smartcards and everything to do with the fancy new yield managed souped up timetable/web sales system for the website

[MidlandDeltic]

"The key problem is that everyone is minding their own turf. Under a smartcard system, each company would no longer have control over prices because someone independent would have to set them, " he said.

Smart cards place no such restriction on pricing. There may be through ticket prices or "Travelcard" prices agreed, but operators can set their own gates to charge for different products as required using stored value.

He said there was nothing difficult about implementing a smartcard system, particularly as there was an internationally recognised standard for the cards. "It works in London and there's no reason why it can't be done here."

Only thing is, London uses it's own standard, not an "international" or even national one. And it is only just becoming avaialble on non-TfL services, at a cost to many users (eg South Central travellers) where zone changes are pushing up prices. An almighty row is brewing over the migration to the ITSO standard mandated by the UK DfT - in which the UK train operators are also involved. I can assure you (from experience) that implementing smartcards is anything but easy - there is not a buy off the shelf solution.

Sean

[Mark Gleeson]

London uses a slightly different card type (its the MTR Hong Kong one) but ITSO compatibilty is going in, London was slightly ahead of the curve. Even within ITSO there are different card types. Despite multiple different operators, bus, underground and tram they have a working system mainly since there is one overseeing body TfL with the cash to make it work.

The biggest problem with implementing irtegrated ticketing in Dublin is the fact Bus/Luas/Rail all have a different fare pricing structures, the zones don't align and the stage system is weird. So city to my house is 1.60 but coming back its only 1.40 yet its physically longer back, thats werid, train fare is 2:00 single / 3.60 return. Luas fares are even more confusing. Remember this is the Integrated Ticketing Project not the Smartcard project

The integrated ticketing system which we seek is one where you can travel from any zone to another other zone using any combination of public transport service(s) and pay the same, thus the fares must be the same all over. Of course you can impose excesses for special trips like Nightlink and 747

The end % of the fare each company gets is the real problem. The DTA will have control over fares and a independent body will control the revenue distribution

[Mark]

Where is the 'head bashing' Margaret O'Mahoney in all of this?

[Mark Hennessy]

Originally Posted by Mark

Where is the 'head bashing' Margaret O'Mahoney in all of this?

She resigned last year after her report was published.

The DTA has been sitting in limbo for over 12 months.

Its not like the Govt or DOT care anyway.

[Derek Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Mark Hennessy

She resigned last year after her report was published.

The DTA has been sitting in limbo for over 12 months.

Its not like the Govt or DOT care anyway.

The DTA has been sitting in limbo since 1983!