Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2005
88 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the revised timeframe for the full introduction of integrated ticketing; and his estimate of the full cost to the State of the project in 2002 monetary value. [29057/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra103 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Transport the person by whom and the areas in which the reported €8.5 million for integrated ticketing was spent; the number of years during which this amount was spent; the reason the budgetary allocation for integrated ticketing for 2005 has been reduced from €15 million to €7.5 million; if the integrated ticketing on the Luas, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail will be fully operational in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28829/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 103 together.
In March 2002, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, was given statutory responsibility for the delivery of a multi-operator system of integrated ticketing. The proposed contactless smart card based integrated ticketing system will enable a customer to use a ticket on one or more scheduled public transport services, by road and by rail, irrespective of the transport operator involved. In line with international experience, the system is being introduced on a phased basis, initially in the Dublin area.
In April 2004 a private operator, Mortons Coaches, in conjunction with the RPA and as a "proof of concept", successfully launched smart cards on its services. Last March, another step was taken with the launch of smart cards on Luas services. The Luas smart card deployment is helping to obtain important feedback from passengers and provide operational experience for the next stage of integrated ticketing. Approximately 1,000 smart cards are in use on Mortons Coaches and some 9,000 smart cards are currently in use on Luas services.
Following an inconclusive procurement procedure earlier this year for the selection of an integrated ticketing provider and operator, the RPA commenced work on a revised procurement strategy and has submitted a draft to my Department. The finalisation of that procurement strategy is being assisted by an informal tripartite group representing the RPA, Dublin Bus and my Department. The work of the group will assist the RPA in determining a revised target implementation date.
The project budget for integrated ticketing, covering initial implementation in the Dublin area, was set in 2002 at €29.6 million. Arising from the inconclusive procurement procedure, this year's budget allocation was revised from €15 million to €7.5 million. The project budget will be reviewed when considering the revised procurement strategy.
To date, €8.536 million of Exchequer funds has been spent on integrated ticketing since the RPA was appointed to undertake the project in March 2002. This is comprised of: €349,000 on project appraisal and related activities; €3.615 million on the national design of integrated ticketing, including the proof of concept with Mortons, public consultation and related activities; €4.572 million on procurement, incorporating the Luas smart card deployment, adapting systems to facilitate use by multiple operators and related activities.
I believe that the RPA is correct in taking a prudent approach to the implementation of this complex project using new technology. International experience has shown that successful delivery of integrated ticketing is achieved by a careful, phased introduction with full co-operation from all public transport operators.
