Irish Rail launches a contactless e-ticket system on intercity routes across Ireland

In a significant move towards enhancing passenger convenience and modernizing its services, Irish Rail has launched its eagerly awaited contactless e-ticket system.

Rail passengers traveling on intercity routes can now book their tickets online or through the Irish Rail app and receive a QR barcode via email.

Additionally, passengers can download their QR code ticket in PDF format to their mobile device or print it at home. This barcode can be easily scanned at barriers, eliminating the need for printed tickets.

This QR ticket system is now available on all Irish Rail intercity routes, with the exception of the Belfast line.

According to Irish Rail, the introduction of e-tickets will not lead to an increase in ticket prices.

The new e-ticket system allows passengers to amend or cancel individual legs of their journey, depending on the fare type, which will give passengers more freedom and control over their travel plans, accommodating last-minute changes. However, it should be noted that an e-ticket cannot be amended or cancelled once it has been printed.

Gates at Irish rail stations equipped with QR scanners are clearly marked in blue for easy identification.

Irish Rail has also said that it is working on introducing an 'Add to Wallet' feature. This will allow passengers to store their QR code tickets in their mobile wallet apps, further simplifying the travel process.

According to Irish Rail, passengers using the e-ticket system should ensure their mobile device's screen brightness is at 100 percent and the QR code is clearly visible on the screen when presenting it at the gate. They also mention that it is important to present the original barcode, not a screenshot, and to keep the ticket until the journey is completed.

Barry Kenny, Irish Rail Corporate Communications Manager, highlighted the benefits of the new system. He stated, "You go to the barrier same as ever, but you're saving that bit of time not having to print tickets off. We have up to four million tickets printed per annum, so the sustainability benefits of this will be very, very significant as more customers choose the QR code and leave the printed ticket behind."

You can learn more about Irish Rails’s new e-ticket system on the Irish Rail website.