North County Dublin to benefit from competition in the bus market – Farrell

The North County is set to benefit from Dublin bus services opening up to competition says local Fine Gael TD, Alan Farrrell. The news comes as bus and rail operator ‘Go-Ahead’ has been announced as the winner of the tendering competition to operate 10% of Public Service Obligation bus services in Dublin (currently operated by Dublin Bus).

Farrell who is TD for Dublin Fingal, welcomed this progress in opening up the Dublin Bus market to competition, highlighting that routes in the constituency will benefit from the increased choice and competition.

“Fine Gael is delivering on its commitment to provide more choice and competition for bus passengers. The introduction of competition into the Dublin Bus market is great news for commuters and is long overdue. The volume of services is going to increase by 35% as a result of this move.

“I was glad to hear that the contracts will also provide for enhanced frequencies and strengthened punctuality targets, which means a better bus service for all, delivering value for money for the taxpayer. We really need to see improvements to punctuality along the network, particularly on the busy Airport-Sutton 102 service and the vital 33b service to Donabate & Portrane.

“While Dublin Bus has provided an excellent service to Dubliners for many decades, the savings which will be made by this contract award, similar to the service provided by Luas operator, Transdev, will be used to bolster existing services and provide new routes across the city which will only benefits our citizens.

“For many, additional routes and services on existing routes are essential in a busy city which alongside projected growth in our economy, will require innovative thinking by the National Transport Authority to keep our capital moving in the years ahead. This is especially important for commuters in the North County who on average, travel further to the city than other users.

“Fine Gael campaigned on a policy of increased choice and competition for bus passengers in the last election. We committed to this and we are now delivering on this commitment in government.”

The announcement today relates to 24 routes, 23 current Dublin Bus orbital routes (i.e. routes which do not go through the city centre) and one new route (Citywest to Dún Laoghaire).

Farrell continued: “Passengers should be reassured that services will continue to be regulated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) so they can still use their LEAP card and Free Travel Pass, and also avail of Real Time Information when planning their journeys.

“This tendering competition is just the first of three competitions led by the NTA and will ultimately result in approximately 10% of the current PSO services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann being operated by operators chosen on the basis of a competitive tender.

“Fine Gael is building a republic of opportunity where everyone has a fair chance to reach their full potential. A big part of this is ensuring that all regions of Ireland share prosperity and economic growth. The new bus contracts will provide choice and competition for passengers. This is part of a policy to increase the quality of our public transport alongside increased funding for transport over the last two budgets.”