Never miss a thing from Belfast and beyond - sign up for FREE updates direct to your email inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A London-style Oyster Card system is coming to Northern Ireland.

As part of a £45million investment programme to modernise the travel ticketing system, contactless payment will also be introduced.

The current ticketing system was introduced 15 years ago and it is hoped the new system will be implemented from 2018.

Parkeon, a global leader in this industry, has been awarded the contract to design and deliver the new ticketing system.

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: “This is a key milestone in our plans to transform public transport and make it your first choice of travel.

“We are looking forward to working closely with Parkeon to introduce modern ticketing technologies that will create easier, integrated ticketing options offering customers more choice and convenience.

“Exciting enhancements will include the acceptance of contactless payment cards on bus, e-purse payments like the London style ‘Oyster Card’, ticket vending machines, gated rail stations and an online app for customers to manage their accounts and top-up their smartcards.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“Implementation is expected to start in 2018 with the new Bus Rapid Transit System. Following this, in 2019 we plan to introduce contactless payments for Metro and Ulsterbus services and customers will enjoy further technology enhancements as we phase in this new era in Translink ticketing which will attract more people to use the bus and train as travel options.”

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard hopes the changes will lead to an increase in the number of people using public transport.

"A high quality public transport infrastructure is fundamental to encouraging people to use our buses and trains," he said.

"This innovative ticketing system will deliver long term benefits and transform how we access public transport across the region.

"The current ticketing system was introduced 15 years ago and serves around 80million passenger journeys every year. This programme will deliver a modern, efficient and convenient ticketing system that will benefit passengers and lead to greater efficiencies. It will improve the passenger experience."