12/05/10

ITS Smart Card: Commercial Bus Equipment Contract Awarded

Release to: Coach Journals
Date: May 2010
Title: ITS Smart Card: Commercial bus equipment contract awarded

(l-R) Gerry Mullins (CEO of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council), James McGinley (John McGinley Coaches), Paddy Matthews (Matthews Coach Hire) Lorene Crowley (Wexford Bus), David Reilly (Citylink), Eugene Finnegan (Finnegans of Bray), Noel Matthews (Matthews Coach Hire), JJ Kavanagh (JJ Kavanagh and sons) attend an information forum held by RPA for Commercial Bus Operators who are interested in joining ITS.

Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is pleased to announce that the contract to supply ticketing equipment to private bus operators who wish to participate in the Integrated Ticketing Scheme has been awarded to Mapflow Limited. RPA is actively encouraging private bus operators to take part in the scheme through information forums and other initiatives.

Integrated Ticketing will provide a pay-as-you-go system on re-usable smart cards as well as supporting weekly, monthly and annual tickets for regular commuters on Dublin Bus, Luas, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and privately operated services. The Scheme is undergoing rigorous testing this year prior to a phased roll out, in line with international best practice. In addition to staff testing of the systems, the intensive testing programme will include piloting ITS in a “live” customer environment.

Gerry Mullins, Chief Executive of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council, who represents the private bus operators on the Integrated Ticketing Board said: "We are delighted that the contract has gone to Mapflow and that production of equipment for the private bus operators can begin. ITS will bring multiple benefits to public transport users and we are delighted to be part of it."

Richard Bryce, Mapflow’s Executive Chairman said: “We are delighted to be chosen by the RPA to deliver the integrated ticketing solution for private bus operators in the GDA. By partnering with Avego to deliver this solution, we are providing a world-leading technology which combines advanced ticketing and reporting capabilities with the flexibility required to meet the diverse technical and commercial needs of bus operators both large and small.”