Taxsaver annual passes to be split again for 2012!

[ThomasJ]

On submitting my application for the taxsaver for 2012, I was informed that the travel pass for 2012 would be the same as 2011, a rail pass and a bus pass.

Hopefully with the leap card into the final stages hopefully the 2013 annual bus and rail (& Luas) will be 1!

[Mark Gleeson]

Once phase 2 of LEAP goes live, annual tickets will be available through the scheme

I would imagine that the Taxsaver office would move fairly quickly to roll these out and replace any existing tickets on request

[jacko]

Bus & Cobh/Midleton rail tickets are combined in Cork but then again we have no barriers/tagging on systems

[ThomasJ]

Good to hear!

Hopefully won't have to wait too long!

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by jacko

Bus & Cobh/Midleton rail tickets are combined in Cork but then again we have no barriers/tagging on systems

Really? I didn't know there were combined bus eireann/Irish rail pass.

[markpb]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Once phase 2 of LEAP goes live, annual tickets will be available through the scheme

Any idea why annual tickets are phase 2? Prepaid tickets would seem to be the simplest of the whole project (simpler to deploy, simpler to bill, etc). When they were on the first pilot card (before ePurse), I assumed they would be the first out the gate.

Is it possible that ePurse has been prioritised over prepaid tickets because it's sexier and actually does something new?

[Colm Moore]

But wouldn't it be something new for smartcards to work with Dublin Bus and Irish Rail?

[markpb]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

But wouldn't it be something new for smartcards to work with Dublin Bus and Irish Rail?

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by markpb

Any idea why annual tickets are phase 2? Prepaid tickets would seem to be the simplest of the whole project (simpler to deploy, simpler to bill, etc). When they were on the first pilot card (before ePurse), I assumed they would be the first out the gate.

Is it possible that ePurse has been prioritised over prepaid tickets because it's sexier and actually does something new?

A pure annual ticket was the first test as you know, but it couldn't do epruse.

As the annual ticket has epruse functionality on it as a fall back on expiry and for multi modal operations the epurse feature must work. Irish Rail have implemented this for single mode and it works.

The epruse ticket being issued currently cannot be used as an annual/monthly ticket as it lacks a photo on the card.

A major software change is required on the ticket machines to handle 'products' e.g. annual/monthly tickets (Irish Rail are providing most of this) and capping whereas the epurse just reuses the exact same (proven) systems in place on Luas and Irish Rail

[jacko]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Really? I didn't know there were combined bus eireann/Irish rail pass.

Yep - It's a BE ticket couple of options available

€1,000 Annual Cork City/Suburban Buses + cobh rail

[Thomas Ralph]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Really? I didn't know there were combined bus eireann/Irish rail pass.

I had a monthly one several years ago. The options currently available include Bus Éireann city services, suburban services within a certain radius, and either Cóbh or Midleton line trains.

[kieran4003]

There are a range of bus & train joint tickets available in Cork. See attached sheet.