The plans are progressing, but don't go binning your Leap Card just yet.

A new programme is being launched in an attempt to "fundamentally transform" how customers pay for and use transport services in Ireland. Although there are a number of changes and ideas proposed as part of the programme, one stands out above the rest - customers will be able to use contactless credit/debit cards, mobile phone payment wallets or mobile apps to pay for public transport. According to plans laid out by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the cost of that travel will be aggregated and charged in a single post-pay transaction which guarantees the customer the best possible price for their individual travel patterns. The NTA is expected to commence the process to tender for a supplier in early 2020 but it would ultimately not see the Leap Card being replaced in Ireland until 2027. As well as the cashless transactions potentially becoming a regular feature of public transport, the NTA has also proposed self-service ticketing, meaning there would be no driver interaction at all for mass transit bus services. A spokesperson for NTA told JOE: "The Next Generation Ticketing programme is a strategic programme designed to fundamentally transform how customers pay for and use transport services." So like we say, change could well be on the way, but don't go throwing away the leap cards just yet.