This statistical bulletin is a publication of the National Transport Authority of Ireland (“NTA”).
It focuses on subsidised services contracted by the NTA.
These include public service obligation (PSO) bus services provided under contract to the Authority by
- Dublin Bus,
- Bus Éireann,
- TFI Local Link rural transport services,
- and other PSO bus routes provided by operators who have been successful in Authority tender competitions.
- It also covers rail services provided by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
- and Luas tram services operated and maintained by Transdev Dublin Light Rail Limited.
Bus services
Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts
Under EU Regulation 1370/2007 and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, PSO transport services must operate under a contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA). PSO services are socially necessary routes that are often not commercially viable and therefore typically require State subsidy.
The NTA’s previous direct award contracts with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expired in November 2024. New five year direct award contracts were signed in late November 2024 and took effect in December 2024.
Bus operators and contracts
Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann continue to provide most PSO bus services under contract to the NTA.
In April 2018, the NTA awarded Go-Ahead Ireland a contract to operate several local and orbital routes in outer Dublin. Go-Ahead Ireland subsequently secured the contract for Route 197 (Swords to Ashbourne) in 2019.
In 2024, the outer Dublin bus services contract was retendered alongside a number of new routes. Following the tender process, Go-Ahead Ireland was selected as the preferred bidder and received a Letter of Intent in late 2024. Mobilisation of the new contract began in 2025.
BusConnects network redesign
The NTA continued the rollout of the BusConnects Network Redesign programme, which began in June 2021.
The programme is being implemented in phases and aims to:
- Increase bus service coverage
- Improve service frequency
- Expand passenger capacity
- Better meet the needs of passengers across the Dublin metropolitan area
Competitive tendered services
Go-Ahead Ireland successfully tendered for the operation of Dublin Commuter routes along the Kildare corridor, which had previously been operated by Bus Éireann under direct award arrangements.
Bus Éireann successfully tendered for:
- Continued operation of the Eastern Coastal Commuter Corridor, formerly Routes 101 and 133
- City bus services in Waterford
Services on the Eastern Coastal Commuter Corridor commenced under the new contract in May 2023.
In 2024, the Waterford City contract operated by Bus Éireann was extended for one year until June 2026.
Kilkenny city services
City Direct was awarded the contract to operate two urban routes in Kilkenny City:
- KK1
- KK2
Services commenced in December 2019.
The retendering process for Kilkenny City services began in late 2024 and includes enhancements to existing timetables.
Carlow and Route 139
In July 2023, the NTA awarded Bus Éireann a contract to operate regular bus services in Carlow Town. The contract runs for an initial five years with an option for a further two year extension.
Route 139 was retendered in late 2023. The incumbent operator, JJ Kavanagh, was successful and was awarded a new contract commencing in April 2024. The new contract included an increase in service frequency to hourly operation.
TFI Local Link and Connecting Ireland
Local Link is the national brand for local PSO bus services operating across rural Ireland.
Local Link services:
- Connect passengers with regional and intercity public transport services
- Provide door to door transport on certain routes
- Are administered through a network of Local Link offices funded by the NTA
The Connecting Ireland programme commenced in 2022 to expand rural public transport and improve connectivity between towns, villages and other public transport services.
Implementation continued during 2025, with 36 new or enhanced rural bus routes introduced.
Rail services
On 1 December 2019, the NTA entered into its second 10 year direct award PSO contract with Iarnród Éireann.
