The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced the phased introduction of contactless fare payments on TFI Local Link services, a major milestone in improving accessibility and convenience for rural communities.
From Monday, 1st December, passengers travelling on TFI Local Link Tipperary services will be able to pay their fares using debit or credit cards, as well as mobile payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
This rollout builds on the success of a 2023 pilot programme in Cavan and Monaghan, where contactless payments were trialled and well received. Insights from that pilot are now being used to guide a nationwide TFI Local Link expansion, with all 13 remaining TFI Local Link offices set to adopt the technology on a phased basis.
It is anticipated that full rollout of contactless equipment across all 15 TFI Local Link offices will be completed by the end of 2026.
Once fully implemented, contactless payments will be available on over 150 scheduled routes, supporting approximately 4 million passenger journeys annually.
Card payments will be accepted for single fare journeys, with daily and weekly products still available via the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top-up App. Passengers will also still be able to pay using TFI Leap cards and cash, and Free Travel Cards will be available on all applicable services.
This initiative is part of the NTA’s broader strategy to modernise fare payment systems across Ireland. This change will not only improve accessibility but will enhance the overall passenger experience, particularly in rural and regional areas.
In parallel, the NTA is advancing the Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) programme, which will introduce a state-of-the-art, account-based ticketing system across all Transport for Ireland services including bus, rail, and Luas with its initial focus on the Great Dublin Area. While card payments on TFI Local Link represents an important initial step, the NGT system will introduce more innovative and future-proofed technology. Work on the NGT project has been progressing since Spanish company Indra was appointed by the NTA as its strategic partner to design, deliver, and maintain the new system.
Commenting on the rollout, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien: “I welcome the introduction of contactless payments on TFI Local Link services in Tipperary. This is an important initial step towards Next Generation Ticketing (NGT), which is progressing in parallel and will deliver innovative and future-proofed technology across all Transport for Ireland services.”
Minister for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer said: “I am delighted to see contactless payments on the way for TFI Local Link services in Tipperary, following from the success of the pilot programme in Cavan and Monaghan. Contactless fares improve accessibility and enhance the overall passenger experience, particularly in rural and regional areas.”
Anne Shaw, CEO at the NTA, added: “The introduction of contactless payments marks a major step forward in making public transport more accessible and convenient for rural communities. This initiative gives passengers in towns and villages more choice and flexibility in how they pay, making travel simpler and more accessible. It strengthens connections between rural Ireland and the wider transport network, supporting greater mobility and opportunity.”
The contactless journey starts here.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is leading a significant transformation of public transport fare payments in Ireland through the Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) programme, separate to the rollout of card payments on TFI Local Link services.
NGT will introduce contactless payments via bank cards, mobile phones, and smart devices across all Transport for Ireland services making travel faster, easier, and more flexible. Building on the success of the Leap Card, which has processed over €2.7 billion in payments since 2011, NGT will replace legacy systems with a modern, cloud-hosted Account-Based Ticketing platform.
The rollout begins in the Greater Dublin Area, with nationwide deployment to follow. Customers will begin to see new validators in 2027, with contactless payments becoming available from 2028. The programme is being delivered in partnership with Indra Sistemas S.A., and will ensure continued support for Leap Cards, Free Travel Passes, and discounted fares for eligible groups during the transition.
