merrion street

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D., today welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Authority (NTA) that it has chosen a preferred tenderer for the Dublin Commuter Bus Market Opening competition. The winner of the NTA’s competition is Go Ahead.

The Minister stated -

"I welcome today's announcement by the NTA that it has selected a preferred tenderer in relation to the Dublin Commuter bus market opening competition.

 

We are always looking for ways to improve our public transport services for the passenger and today's announcement forms part of that process. The NTA will ensure service improvements for passengers are implemented on these Dublin Commuter routes on the Kildare Corridor.

 

In relation to funding of our public transport services, Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention increased in both 2016 and 2017, and again this year. Over the three years PSO subvention will have increased by some 35% in total. Taxpayers' contribution toward funding our PSO services is substantial and in 2018 will amount to €285 million.”

 

In relation to PSO bus services generally, the Minister commented - "We have seen a very welcome return to passenger growth across our PSO bus services. This growth has been accompanied by improved funding and I expect that the forecasted growth in PSO services will facilitate continued expansion and improvement for passengers in the quality and quantity of all PSO services."