Transport system - Put an end to smart card debacle

The failure to introduce the long promised smart card system for public transport in Dublin is another example of the extravagant inefficiency of the bureaucratic system.

The smart cards would allow customers to use Dublin Bus, Luas, and Morton’s. The smart cards were supposed to come into operation in 2002, but now it is not projected to begin for another 27 months.

Ultimately it is hoped that the smart card system would be extended to Iaranród Éireann, Dart, and other commuter services. It is not enough that the people responsible should think big; they should also be capable of implementing those ideas on budget.

The original proposal was sanctioned by the Department of Finance on condition that the capital cost of the project did not exceed €29.5million, but now the projected cost has risen to €49.6 million.

The taxpayer has been funding benchmarking supposedly to make up for what people in the public sector would earn if they were in the private sector. The report of the Comptrollers and Auditors General suggests in this instance, however, that the public is not getting value for money.

In reality what those people responsible for such bungling would earn in the private sector is prompt dismissal for gross incompetence. It is time for those to blame for such extravagant waste were held accountable.