Go-Ahead has won the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area bus contract, awarded by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The five-year contract, with a two year optional extension, is the first open tender by the NTA. It comprises 24 routes, 125 buses and 350 drivers.
Go-Ahead is expected to begin operating some routes by the end of November 2018 and all routes by February 2019.
Go-Ahead CEO, David Brown, says: “Ireland’s economic growth and planned public transport investments offer an exciting opportunity for us as we execute our strategy of targeted expansion into new markets.â€
NTA CEO Anne Graham says: “This is ultimately about improving bus services for Dublin. We believe that a new operator in the market will bring a fresh dimension to the way that services are offered.
“Introducing new providers encourages everybody to focus on their customers’ needs and it encourages innovation and improvements to service quality.
“Under the contract, service levels on the routes will be increased by 35%. Fares, frequency and scheduling will all be set by the NTA, and not the operator.â€
