The Journal, Nov. 20th, 2019 link
Plans progress to replace Leap cards with account-based payment by 2027
Cash payments were still common among some passengers and accounted for up to 20% of all journeys, which slowed down boarding time.
The National Transport Authority has issued a market consultation notice to engage with potential service providers as part of its plans to advance the implementation of an Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system across the bus, rail, and light rail network.
It will allow passengers to pay for their journey through their mobile phones, bank cards or official ID card or passport, removing the need to carry a special card for commuting.
Why replace it with an account-based system?
7 years to integrate a cashless technology that’s been around for the last 5 years…. that’s absolutely embarrassing!!
Tony Henry, comments on The Journal
… If this would be the case would it not be a quicker / easier solution to update the app rather than overhauling the entire system. Especially a system that completely eliminates cash / topup payments
Kevin Mischling, comments on The Journal
Over three million Leap cards have been sold since the €55 million smart card system was introduced in December 2011, with transactions worth over €320 million processed last year – up almost 16% in 2017.
Why the authority wants to invest a large amount of money probably over €20 million and to giveaway the profitable and growing fare collection business to Visa, Master Card, Apple Pay,…?
Why not spend the money to develop its own account-based payment, mobile-based payment or to develop the local vertical market like retail, event ticketing?
Conclusion
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