NTA has spent an 'astounding' €35m on contactless payment system due in 2028

Ireland has yet to roll out contactless payments on public transport — 'a method of payment that every corner shop and farmers market already has' says councillor Peter Horgan. Picture: iStock

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has spent more than €35m on a system for contactless payments on buses that will not be delivered until 2028, new data shows.

Next Generation Ticketing is the NTA’s project to modernise the system for payments on public transport by allowing people to pay with their bank card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, on their mobile phone or other smart device.