Northern Ireland’s public transport operator is on its way to a national account-based ticketing (ABT) system, providing capped contactless fares across the country.
Passengers using the Translink Metro bus network in Belfast can now use contactless payment technology as part of the operator’s Future Ticketing System, which has been developed in partnership with transport ticketing and payments specialists Flowbird.
l-r: David Thompson and Paddy Anderson
Flowbird said that in time, the new contactless ticketing architecture will provide integrated and seamless multimodal travel for citizens across Northern Ireland - creating the UK’s largest multimodal ABT system outside London.
Passengers on Translink Metro’s 270 Belfast buses can use bank cards as both a ticket and payment method for a flat fare, regardless of distance travelled.
A fare cap of £3.50 applies when two or more Metro journeys are made in one day.
Flowbird managing director David Thompson said: ‘This is an important milestone in the development of a nationwide ABT system that will evolve to include Ulsterbus, Glider BRT and rail services in addition to Metro buses.
‘This will make it easier than ever before for the people of Belfast to use public transport, knowing that a simple tap will guarantee them the best available correct fare for that day.’
Translink’s chief financial officer, Paddy Anderson, said: ‘This roll-out reflects just one exciting step in the range of plans we have to improve customer experience and shorten journey times for everyone on board.
‘Ultimately, our ambition of enabling passengers to simply turn up, tap on and travel knowing they have been availed of the best value fare.’
The new system continues to accept Translink’s fare-paying and concessionary smartcards, offering passengers a choice of payment methods while ensuring access to transport services for children and customers who cannot use a bank card.
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