Integrated Ticketing

[robdrysdale]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Despite the minister claiming otherwise, you can expect problems when using Dublin Bus. The RUI test group hit problems on a number of buses on Friday afternoon. Driver training in Dublin Bus is in our opinion weak and many are not confident in using the system. Its improving but it will take time.

I think you're being very polite about the Dublin Bus problems. Boards.ie has been alight with poor opinion and experience with regard to operation of the Leap Card on the Bus.

From a basic UX perspective it's a disaster of a system. It takes twice as long on average to pay as the cash system so increases rather than decreases dwell times. The drivers screen switches from cash mode to luas mode which from a UX point of few disorientates so adds a few seconds for driver to click button. Then there's a awkward pause waiting for small green light to display. Beep is nearly never there and when it is it's so faint it's barely audible. The passenger screen is tiny, at a weird angle for most people (unless you're 6ft 7 perhaps) and is so dim it's near impossible to read. I've full hearing and sight BTW. How this system passed basic accessibility requirements I'll never know.

Really it should be flat fare. Given they don't seem to want that for fare protection and revenue loss purposes it should be tag-on/tag-off on the right hand side. Not all smart card systems are like this but plenty are so it is technologically possible with the right equipment.

Also the idea to support charging of multiple fares on the same card (when the other modes don't support it) qualifies under the law of unintended consequences. It provides limited benefit but leads to most of the errors. It should be done away with (if they insist on sticking with driver system).

Getting a refund is difficult as in presupposed driver knows how to perform complex operation under pressure when there's a long queue of passengers waiting to pay.

I know this is a rail users groups so I've mainly posted my gripes on boards.ie but if you've any influence over the powers that be, please feed back about the complete and utter disgust with this element of the system amongst most of the test group.

I got no survey to complete this time round and I hadn't used the bus when we did the earlier phase of testing and I completed survey.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...309000619.html

Smart card for transport users arrives after nine years with €55m price tag
AOIFE CARR

MORE THAN nine years after it was first proposed, a new €55 million integrated ticketing system for public transport in the greater Dublin area was officially launched yesterday.

The Leap card allows people to use bus, Luas, Dart and rail services in the capital with a single ticket. The cards can be bought at over 400 shops and newsagents or online at leapcard.ie.

A €5 refundable deposit is charged for an adult card and €3 for a child’s. A minimum travel credit of €5 must be placed on the card at the time of first purchase.

Travel credit works like phone credit. The card is topped up in multiples of €5 and the fare is deducted from the balance every time a journey is made. The card can be topped up in shops or online. The card was launched by Minister of State for Public Transport Alan Kelly, who said it followed 15,000 successful test journeys by members of the public.

“The card will be among the cheapest ways to get around Dublin and will make public transport more attractive. We hope the card will push people towards public transport.

“We hope up to 250,000 people will use it. We will have a media campaign in the new year. This is the future and it’s a bright future.”

Tim Gaston, a project director, said flexibility and convenience are the card’s greatest advantages for commuters. He said error rates in the new system were “exceptionally low” at less than half of 1 per cent of journeys.

The new system will continue to be developed throughout 2012 with new functionalities being added in phases. Bus Éireann and private bus operators will join the scheme in the new year and multiple tickets such as the Rambler and Travel 90 will be added to it.

There will be a link-up with the Department of Social Protection so that people entitled to free travel will receive a Leap card programmed with their details and therefore can avail of their free transport using the system.

Cards indicate how much credit is left after a journey is made. It issues a low-value warning when the balance is close to zero.

Users are being advised to register their Leap cards after they buy them at leapcard.ie. In this way, if a card is reported lost or stolen no one else can use it and the user is refunded the credit on the card.

The card – which has been in development for a number of years – will offer a 9 per cent saving on Dublin Bus fares, up to 17 per cent on certain Luas tickets, and between 16 and 19 per cent on single Iarnród Éireann fares.

Integrated ticketing was first put forward in 2002 by then minister for public enterprise Mary O’Rourke.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...309000572.html

Customers' verdict: Information delay
AOIFE CARR

MARK GLEESON of Rail Users Ireland, a voluntary group that campaigns for better conditions for rail commuters, was involved in the testing of the Leap card system in February this year.

“There was a group of about 15 of us testing it and we were very happy with it. It worked flawlessly with just some minor quirks,” he said.

The main issue that arose during testing was that validator machines on Luas and rail platforms were taking too long to read the new cards.

“The radio inside the machine needed to be replaced because it wasn’t strong enough. That was fixed during the summer,” he said.

Another issue that can arise is when a person is carrying more than one smart card and the validator machine gets confused as to which card to read.

“This occurs on all travel systems like this worldwide,” says Mr Gleeson. “You just need to keep the cards at least an inch apart – for example not right beside each other in your wallet. If the machine does get confused you will get a message on the validator saying ’too many cards.’ The driver will also get that message.”

The main reaction to the new card from people waiting at the Luas stop on Abbey Street yesterday afternoon, however, was one of mystery. Most knew nothing about it. Students CaitrÍona Doyle and Tara Keating said it was definitely something they would be interested in but had heard nothing about it.

Bernadette Cooney also said she knew nothing about the new card. Colin Kiersey, who had just come back from Wexford, said: “I only know about it because someone happened to mention it to me yesterday. I would not know where to buy it.”

Another commuter, Eoin O’Connor, said he had heard about it on the radio but “wouldn’t have an idea where to buy one”.

“I wasn’t aware fares would be cheaper using it so I definitely would use it,” he said. Ann Smith said: “I would probably use it seeing as you can use it on both the bus and the Dart.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...309000520.html

Q&A
AOIFE CARR

What is the Leap card?

It is a new integrated ticketing system for public transport in Dublin that allows you to use the bus, Luas, Dart and rail services using one ticket.


Where can I buy it?

In shops and newsagents bearing the Leap card sign. There are more than 400 of them in Dublin. Or you can buy them online at leapcard.ie


How much does it cost?

A €5 refundable deposit is charged for an adult card and €3 for a child’s. A minimum travel credit of €5 must be placed on the card at the time of first purchase.


How does it work?

It works just like phone credit. You top up your card in multiples of €5 and the cost of the fare is deducted from the balance every time a journey is made. The card can be topped up in shops or online.


Will it work out cheaper than paying a cash fare?

Yes. The card offers a 9 per cent saving on Dublin Bus fares after an increase in general fares comes into effect in January, up to 17 per cent off certain Luas tickets, and between 16 and 19 per cent off single Iarnród Éireann fares.


How do I use it on Dublin Bus?

For journeys up to 13 stages tell the driver your destination and hold your card to the target on the driver’s ticket machine and the right fare will be deducted. For longer journeys (over 13 stages) use the Leap Card validator on the right hand side as you enter the bus and the fixed fare will be deducted.


On the Luas?

Touch on a validator on the platform before you get on the tram and touch off when you get off. A default fare will be deducted from your card when you start your journey and when you end it the appropriate amount will be refunded on to your card.


On the Dart and commuter rail services?

It works in the same way as on the Luas above. The card can be used between stations within the “Short Hop Zone.” This zone includes all stations in the Dublin area from Greystones to Balbriggan and commuter stations from Dublin city centre to Maynooth and from Dublin Heuston to Hazelhatch.


How do I know how much credit is left on my card?

Cards indicate how much credit is left after a journey is made.


Anything else I should know?

You should register your card online at leapcard.ie. In this way, if a card is reported lost or stolen no one else can use it and the user is refunded the credit on the card.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.thejournal.ie/leap-card-g...02600-Dec2011/

Leap Card goes live today for Dublin commuters

THE LONG-AWAITED integrated transport ticket for Dublin goes live today, meaning commuters will be able to switch between Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail Services with one card.

The launch of the Leap Card follows 15,000 successful test journeys by members of the public – and will make travelling in the capital cheaper and more attractive, according to Minister for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly.

Kelly said the scheme would be gradually built upon and developed throughout 2012, and additional functionalities will be added to include Bus Éireann service, some private bus operators, children tickets, rambler, Travel 90 and student cards.


How it works

The Leap Card means commuters won’t have to carry exact change or queue up to buy single tickets to use public transport. After buying the card, a person adds credit which is then deducted in relation to each trip taken.

The card can be topped up online at leapcard.ie, at Leap Card agents (PayZone) or a Luas ticket machines. Commuters are able to register their Leap Cards and have them blocked if they are reported lost or stolen.

Time-based tickets are not currently available.


Luas

Touch On at a Validator on the platform before you get on the tram and Touch Off when you get off the tram. A default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. Touching On and Off in this way will ensure the correct smartcard fare is deducted from your Leap Card.


DART and Commuter Rail Services

Touch On at the platform entry gate or Validator before your journey and Touch Off at the platform exit gate or Validator after your journey. As with Luas, a default fare will be deducted from the Travel Credit on your card when you Touch On; and when you Touch Off the appropriate amount will be refunded to your card for your journey. The card can be used between stations within the ‘Short Hop Zone’. This Zone includes all stations in the Dublin area from Greystones to Balbriggan, and Commuter Stations from Dublin City Centre to Maynooth, and from Dublin Heuston to Hazelhatch.


Dublin Bus

When using Leap Card on Dublin Bus, public transport users should:

Go to the driver: tell the driver your destination and hold your Leap Card to the target on the driver’s ticket machine and the correct fare will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

If you are paying for a fare of over 13 stages or Outer Suburban you can Touch On at the Smartcard Validator on the right hand side as you enter the bus. The default fare of €2.20 will be deducted from your Travel Credit.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-m...-springs-into/

Dublin’s Leap integrated transport ticket system goes live
12.12.2011

Dublin’s new integrated ticketing system Leap - the city's version of the London Oyster Card - went live today, with 350 retail shops, as well as an online web shop supporting the new system. Some 15,000 journeys were produced during the testing of the system.

Leap Card will initially offer a credit top-up system. A refundable €5 deposit for adults and a refundable €3 deposit for children is required to purchase the card initially and after that, travel credit works just like phone credit - you top it up and then the cost of your fare is deducted from your balance every time you travel.

Leap Cards can be used on all Dublin Bus services, all Luas services and all DART and commuter rail services in the Short Hop Zone (Balbriggan-Greystones-Hazelhatch-Maynooth).

“The Leap Card will be among the cheapest ways to get around Dublin and will make public transport more attractive,” Transport Minister Alan Kelly, TD, said.

According to Kelly, using Leap Cards to travel by Luas is up to 17pc cheaper than purchasing single tickets from ticket machines, travelling by DART and commuter rail using Leap is up to 19pc cheaper than purchasing singles from ticket machines, while the same fares as cash apply on Dublin Bus until January 2012, when a discount of 9pc will come into play, following the rise in cash fares.


Different versions of Leap Card on way

The National Transport Authority plans to continue to develop the Leap Card further, bringing different products (eg, Rambler, Travel 90) into the scheme throughout 2012 and beyond. The authority will introduce the scheme onto Bus Éireann GDA services throughout 2012. Matthews Coaches begins its live test of Leap this week on its Bettystown – Laytown – Dublin route.

IBM (supported by sub-contractor MSI) was engaged to provide back office, clearing house and support office services for the system, based on its experience of delivering a best-in-class system in Singapore.

HP, supported by Payzone, will operate the system and will provide support services on the website, call centre and card supply. HP has also worked on the hugely successful Oyster system in London.

Sequoia Smart Solutions developed the original concept design and continue to support NTA with international experience in providing smart-card solutions.

“Today marks the first stage of an important journey for public transport users in the Greater Dublin Area and we estimate that in time there will be circa 250,000 users of the Leap Card annually,” John Fitzgerald, chairperson of the National Transport Authority, explained.

“The intention all along has been to introduce the system on a phased basis, to ensure that we are satisfied that the system is fully tested and robust at each stage.

“Integrated ticketing has been a complex project to roll out and we thank the Railway Procurement Agency for their work in managing the project so well until its transfer to the National Transport Authority in 2010,” Fitzgerald said.

John Kennedy


Where to get a Leap Card:

Buy and top up your Leap Card at more than 350 authorised Leap Card agents (Payzone) across Dublin and online. http://www.leapcard.ie/

[Colm Moore]

Actually, there is a point here, but the Indo doesn't make it. It would have been much more practical to do the early testing in one of the other cities where there are limited fare structures, e.g. in Cork the city has flat fares on all the bus services and there is only one operator. It would have meant fitting out 100-200 buses and putting in place flat fare and transfer fare.

As a second stage, the suburban services are more complicated, with Mallow-Cork-Cobh/Midleton rail and a variety of bus services, but I imagine most of the users would be season ticket holders.

The other cities are simpler again, with only city buses and limited commuter buses.

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...l-2961423.html

Cities outside capital won't make Leap to cheaper travel
By Paul Melia
Tuesday December 13 2011

COMMUTERS in cities outside Dublin will not enjoy the benefits of cheaper bus and rail fares by using the 'smart' travel card officially launched yesterday.

The Department of Transport has confirmed there are no plans to roll out the Leap card to bus services in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford over the coming months, but that it will be considered at a later date.

Commonly used in cities around the world, 'smart' cards allow commuters to travel on bus, rail and tram without having to buy separate tickets for each leg of the journey.

Instead, they pre-pay and validate cards at magnetic readers installed at train and bus stops at the start and end of their journey, and a computer system calculates the appropriate fare and deducts it from the customer's account.

Fares are, on average, 9pc cheaper than paying by cash, meaning that holders and the new system will help offset the fare hikes announced last week by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

But the Government has yet to allocate money to roll out the system nationally.

"There are more public transport users in Dublin than elsewhere," Junior Minister Alan Kelly said. "We have plans to the roll out the Leap card to other areas, and when funding is provided we will do so. A national scheme is a priority but we will do it first in Dublin, then in other cities."

The card has been in the pipeline for more than a decade and will cost €55.4m. Some €48m has been spent so far, and the system will cost €6m a year to operate.

It works on DART, commuter rail into Dublin, Dublin Bus and Luas services and will be rolled out to Bus Eireann, private coach operators and Iarnrod Eireann inter-city services next year.

The NTA expects 250,000 commuters to switch to the new cards next year. They can be bought online at www.leapcard.ie or in 350 payzone outlets. Other tickets will be added next year including monthly/annual taxsaver tickets, Dublin Bus rambler tickets, school and student cards and the free travel card for OAPs.

People who have Luas and bus cards can continue to use them until they expire, and then switch over to Leap.

- Paul Melia

[Colm Moore]

http://www.herald.ie/news/smartcard-...e-2960878.html

Smartcard Leaps into action - 10 years late
By Cormac Murphy
Monday December 12 2011

COMMUTING just got a whole lot easier today as Dublin's long-awaited public transport smart card went on sale.

The Leap card allows passengers to use a variety of transport modes with the same pass.

Passengers can now hop on Dublin Bus, Luas, Dart and commuter rail services around the capital without having to buy separate tickets.

Use of the card costs at least 9pc less than if customers were to pay with cash.

Chief executive of the National Transport Authority (NTA), Gerry Murphy, assured commuters that their existing annual and monthly tickets will continue to work as normal.

The card has been in the pipeline for more than a decade and has cost more than €55m.

It is expected the scheme will be extended to include Bus Eireann services by summer 2012 and, subsequently, Iarnrod Eireann's mainline services.


Commuters

Commuters can buy the cards at a variety of outlets and top them up when required, similar to London's Oyster cards.

It works by commuters pre-paying for their journeys and waving the cards at magnetic readers for each trip.

The NTA said that the 'Leap' name was chosen to convey the ease with which commuters would move between public transport operators.

The passes can be ordered through www.leapcard.ie, which also contains detailed information about the system.

It comes after the NTA gave the green light for across-the-board fare increases on public transport services in January.

Meanwhile, Iarnrod Eireann implemented a 50pc increase from €2 to €3 in daily parking charges at its railway station car parks from today. The weekly fee of €8 went up to €10.

The €7 daily parking rate at Heuston, Connolly and Cork stations went up to €8.

However, the €30 monthly charge remained unchanged.

- Cormac Murphy

[Yoko]

Maybe this has alread been answered... but why can't Dublin Bus have tag on/off at the bus stops?

[markpb]

Originally Posted by Yoko

Maybe this has alread been answered... but why can't Dublin Bus have tag on/off at the bus stops?

Because they have 11,000 bus stops.

[Thomas Ralph]

Originally Posted by robdrysdale

Wonder how auto direct debit will work when it's implemented then. Given Dublin Bus carry circa 120m passengers per annum with DART circa 20m and Luas circa 25m, there's likely lots of passengers like myself who mainly use the bus.

I accept every system has technical limitations just wonder how this will work. Would obviously be a pain if auto Direct Debit doesn't work for Bus.

London manages automatic top-up on buses; the auto top up is a card-side setting so if a bus (or any touch-in) detects a card below £8 it automatically puts £20 on it; when the bus driver downloads his module at base it notifies the central system who has topped up, and their card is debited within a couple of days.

[Colm Moore]

But surely, if I set my auto top-up to trigger at €X for a top-up of €Y, only the central system needs to know and tell buses, not buses telling the central system?

[Mark Gleeson]

Auto top up will work on Dublin Bus and will indeed work on all LEAP operators

Internet top up will be available on all private bus operators as well. Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann will not support internet top up.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Auto top up will work on Dublin Bus and will indeed work on all LEAP operators

Explain this. I'm just not understanding how it can relate to the operators.

Internet top up will be available on all private bus operators as well. Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann will not support internet top up.

Why don't they all just point to leapcard.ie rather than duplicating system (and potentially introducing weaknesses if a system isn't patched)?

[James Howard]

Interesting if brief article on deployment of smartcard bus tickets on multiple operators in several counties in the South West of the UK.

The figures involved indicate that their transport system must be only 1% as complex as ours. It involves two large bus companies and 11 smaller companies.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/government...rtcard-readers

[Colm Moore]

Possibly a very simple system as it only covers free travel passes at the moment.

I presume it only covers local services in Somerset County council area and not Bristol / Bath / Weston-super-Mare

That would result in a fairly rural population and limited bus services.

[CastaheaneyMan]

Neither Validation poles (one on each platform) in Clonsilla recognised Leapcard but could tag off at card valditor on exit turnstiles.

After second try on one pole got a 'do not recognise card' error message.

[James Howard]

They are initially rolling it out in Somerset but the system is to be rolled out over 4 counties in the West Country.

It is obviously a much simpler system that what is in Ireland, but they are still talking about integrating it into the systems of 13 different bus companies which is where the software development complexities would arise.

In fairness, after doing a little more looking around, the Irish system may not be that over-priced by the standards of these. The Australians seem to be spend spectacular amounts of money on smartcard ticketing. The Brisbane system cost $134 million while the Victoria system cost $494 for startup and of the order of $50 million per year to operate. (all according to Wikipedia)