It's been confirmed today that 23 bus routes in Dublin will now be privatised by British transport firm Go-Ahead as part of a restructuring by the National Transport Authority.
The NTA initially made the announcement in 2013, however the precise routes and areas have only been confirmed today. While an agreement was made with unions in 2015, the NBRU's General Secretary, Dermot O'Leary, warned of "industrial flashpoints" with the move. In a statement to media, O'Leary said that "whilst accepting that an agreement was struck in 2015, it is nonetheless disappointing that Dublin Bus were unsuccessful in the so-called tendering process."
"It would appear that those alleged experts in the NTA and the Department have decided that workersâ rights are up for grabs and can be used, Dutch auction style, to help towards bidding for state contracts, the price of labour should not be used to win such contracts." However, NTA CEO Anne Graham says that the move "is ultimately about improving bus services for Dublin and NTA is confident that passengers will benefit from this decision."
"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."
Here's the full list of routes that are due to be privatised.
220 Ballymun to Blanchardstown
236 Blanchardstown Centre to Damastown
238 Tyrrelstown to Lady's Well Road
239 Blanchardstown Centre to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre
270 Blanchardstown Centre to Dunboyne
17a Blanchardstown Centre to Kilbarrack
76a Blanchardstown Centre to Tallaght
18 Palmerstown to Sandymount
17 Rialto to Blackrock
33a Swords to Balbriggan
33b Swords to Portrane
75 The Square Tallaght to DĂșn Laoghaire
76 Chapelizod to Tallaght
102 Sutton station to Dublin Airport
04 Clontarf Road to Santry
111 Loughlinstown Park to DĂșn Laoghaire
45a DĂșn Laoghaire to Ballywaltrim
59 DĂșn Laoghaire to Mackintosh Park
63 DĂșn Laoghaire to Kilternan
114 Ticknock to Blackrock Station
161 Dundrum Luas Station to Rockbrook
184 Bray Rail station to Newtownmountkennedy
185 Bray Railstation to Enniskerry