Irish Rail plans app to allow reservations and price checks

Company seeking tenders for €1m three-year contract for software upgrade and support

Irish Rail is planning to upgrade its online journey-planning offering for a contract estimated to be worth €1 million.

The company is calling for tenders for an app that will support the timetable, pricing and reservations functions on its website and mobile phone apps.

The three-year contract, which could ultimately be extended to five years, includes a requirement for ongoing support of the software in addition to the development of the new aspects required by Irish Rail.

At present the company’s mobile app does not offer the ability to make reservations or check pricing, but this will change under the developed application.

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The current mobile app was designed by German company HaCon, which makes a range of applications for travel companies. It is not clear whether they will bid to hold on to the contract.

Irish Rail’s spend on a new online offering comes amid challenging financial circumstances after it recorded a deficit in 2016 of €2.86 million.

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in business