ContactlessNews | Dublin debuts contactless transit card

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

After nearly ten years and over €55 million, Dublin’s “Leap” transit card has finally hit the market, reports Herald.ie.

The contactless smart card is now available for use on Dublin Buss, Luas, Dart and commuter rail lines around the capital. Rather than having to buy separate tickets or pay with cash, Dublin commuters now can just tap their Leap card against a reader aboard the transport of their choosing.

Monthly tickets and cash will continue to be accepted on public transport, but those using Leap cards will save 9 percent on their fares, according to Herald.ie.

The cards can be purchased online or at one of 400 outlets around Dublin. Like London’s Oyster card, Leap runs on prepaid credit that can be added at Leap outlets as well as online.

By summer 2012, the Leap system is expected to incorporate Bus Eireann, and shortly thereafter Iarnrod Eireann’s mainline services.

AIB Merchant Services, a merchant acquiring joint venture between First Data Corporation and Allied Irish Banks p.l.c, announced the launch of its first contactless payment terminals, activated at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, in Dublin.

Calgary pilots smart card payments for public transit

Calgary, Alberta is pushing forward with the anticipated summer launch of a new smart card payment system for public transit, according to the Calgary Herald.

City Council hopes for new transit card system in the future

The Invercargill City Council announced it will equip its passenger transport buses with new electronic ticketing machines in the hope that it leads to the introduction a new smart transit card system, according to The Southland Times.

NXP leads the contactless ticketing market, according to ABI Research

In ABI Research’s newest market study analysis, NXP Semiconductors has reportedly claimed the top spot in the contactless ticketing market with 74% of the market share.

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