Armstrong says new public transport ticketing system not enough

The Strangford MLA was speaking after Chris Hazzard announced a multi-million-pound investment programme that will create a new integrated ticketing system across public transport. It will lead to contactless payment cards on buses, as well as online apps for customers to manage accounts and top up smartcards.

“Better ticketing schemes are always welcome but there remains a question mark over the Minister’s plans,” said Ms Armstrong.

“The ticketless system is only planned to work on Translink services such as Metro, Ulsterbus, rapid transit and train, when the plans for integrated transport have not yet been finalised.

“If the Department for Infrastructure does proceed with integrated transport, which would enable health, education, and community transport to play a role in connecting rural people to the public transport network, then the ticketing system should include those partner organisations from the beginning of the process.

“It is extremely short-sighted of the Executive to create a system which may incur additional costs later, in order to add those other suppliers as and when integrated transport is brought into Northern Ireland.”