It is “frustrating” that it will take until 2029 for contactless payments to be rolled out across the public transport network, the junior transport minister has admitted. Cork TD Jerry Buttimer said he believed that the introduction of contactless payments on buses, trains, and trams could be accelerated. Appearing before the Oireachtas transport committee earlier this year, transport minister Darragh O’Brien said contactless payments on all forms of public transport will not be available until 2029. Asked about the long timeline for its implementation, Mr Buttimer said he was “frustrated” by the lead-in time. He added:I’m a big believer in accessibility, certainty, and reliability, and if you have those ingredients, people will use public transport more.

Source: Irish Examiner December 21, 2025 19:00 UTC