Ireland’s public transport network is on the cusp of a major transformation, with the introduction of the Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) system set to modernise how passengers pay for and manage their journeys. Designed with convenience at its core, NGT will streamline travel across buses, trams and trains, offering faster, more flexible and more intuitive ways to pay, while ensuring that existing options remain fully supported during the transition.
Instead of relying on a dedicated transport card, passengers will be able to pay for their journeys using the same tools they use for everyday purchases. Debit and credit cards, mobile phones and smart devices will all become valid ways to tap on to public transport. A new transport app will also be introduced, allowing users to manage tickets, view journey history, update payment methods and access fare information in one place. This move eliminates the need for topping up in advance and speeds up boarding, particularly on busy bus routes. Crucially, the system will automatically calculate the best available fare, ensuring passengers always pay the lowest applicable price.
Your bank card (debit or credit)
Your mobile phone or smart device
A new transport app for managing tickets digitally
Importantly, NGT is not replacing the Leap Card system but enhancing it. Existing discount, including student, young adult and other concessionary fares, will continue to apply. Leap Cards and Free Travel Passes will remain valid throughout the transition and beyond, ensuring that no passenger is forced to change how they travel before they are ready. Discounted fare products will also remain available, preserving affordability for regular commuters and vulnerable groups.
The technology behind NGT is an Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system. Instead of storing credit on a physical card, the system links each journey to a secure account. Passengers simply tap on with their chosen payment method, and the system records the trip, calculates the fare afterwards and charges the correct amount automatically. All personal and payment data will be protected to the highest international standards, including full compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
Rolling out a project of this scale requires significant infrastructure upgrades. Thousands of new validators will be installed on buses, at Luas stops and across Irish Rail stations. These devices will be accessibility-compliant and consistent across the network, making the system easier to use for everyone. Installation will be carefully planned to minimise disruption, and during the transition both old and new systems will operate side by side. This means passengers can continue using their Leap Cards and Free Travel Passes without interruption.
You tap on using your card, phone or device
The system records your journey
Your fare is calculated afterwards
You are charged the correct amount automatically
All payment and personal data is protected using the highest financial and cybersecurity standards.
The rollout will take place in stages. From 2027, new validators will begin appearing for testing across the Greater Dublin Area. In 2028, contactless payments will launch on Luas and Dublin city buses, followed by DART and rail services later that year. The system will then expand nationwide across all Transport for Ireland services.
NGT represents a major leap forward for Ireland’s public transport network. By offering more choice, greater convenience and modern, secure technology, it promises to make everyday journeys smoother and more efficient for everyone.
