Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
110. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns regarding the increasing unreliability of the TFI Live RealTime app; if he has engaged with TFI on this issue; the nature of those engagements; if he will ensure that TFI rectifies the current reliability issues with the app; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2897/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question and like him, I am eager to see improvements in real-time tracking across public transport.
This Government wants public transport to be a genuine option for more and more journeys. To do that, we are expanding the network and investing to make it faster, more frequent, and more reliable. This involves both large infrastructural work like the Core Bus Corridors and other investments like bus stops and shelters, simpler fares, and Real Time Passenger Information.
While most real-time information is accurate and valued by customers, we know that improvements are needed. To this end, my Department is funding the National Transport Authority, or NTA, to enhance real time information, including for the TFI Live app.
In December 2023 the NTA awarded a contract to implement and support a national Automatic Vehicle Location, or AVL, system for all Public Service Obligation buses with pilot testing of the new system to commence later this year, 2026. The upgrade will improve the quality of bus service operations and the timeliness and the quality of real time bus service information.
This will enable to the NTA to consolidate several existing bus AVL systems into one central system to be used by all Public Service Obligation bus operators in Ireland, and it has expansion capacity to meet the growing demand for public transport.
I know that it is frustrating to count down the expected time of arrival of a bus, only for it to disappear from the screen at the last moment. This situation is not acceptable to me. Once complete, the new AVL system will lead to significant performance improvements and improved quality of information for bus passengers - and I will monitor roll out of this system carefully so that passengers see the intended improvement in information provision.
