Could bus boarding be quicker?
By Liudmyla Bortok
It’s hoped new ticketing technology can be introduced on Cork buses to speed up passenger boarding.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently testing systems to allow faster Leap Card onboarding in Cork. Even Leap Card users in Cork have to tap their card with the driver, causing delays at busy stops where dozens of passengers board. These delays can last several minutes, and when multiplied by all stops along a busy route, they add up—lengthening the total journey time.
Cllr Peter Horgan (Labour) , Transport Chair of Cork City Council, said equipping Cork buses with this new technology is especially important ahead of the busy summer months and the return to school rush in September.
“It’s vital that this system is in place before September,” he said. He also highlighted the need for faster rollout of contactless, next-generation ticketing technology.
“We need to show how easy it can be to pay and board the bus with a card on your phone or a debit card. Other European cities are already light years ahead of us on this technology. Bringing this to Cork first will set an example for the country, much like Cork did with the first 24 hour bus service. We need to show current and potential bus passengers how much easier catching the bus can be.”
The NTA has confirmed to Cllr Horgan it is in the middle of crucial end-to-end testing of the hardware and software to be deployed on Cork’s buses. “As this system combination has not been used before, the NTA must be confident that the solution is fully proven and robust before it is introduced,” the authority said.
This comprehensive testing will verify that all components work seamlessly together, ensuring that public transport users in Cork receive a reliable and high-quality service. Once testing is successfully completed, the NTA will be in a better position to announce a precise implementation date.
This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.