Big shake up for bus services

THE announcement last week of what has been described as

“arguably the biggest shake up in services since Dublin Bus was established over 30 years ago

? has been broadly welcomed on the Southside.

Bus and rail operator

‘Go-Ahead’ was declared to be the winner of a tendering competition to operate 10 per cent of Public Service Obligation bus services in the city that are currently operated by Dublin Bus.

Fine Gael Senator in Dublin Rathdown, Neale Richmond, welcomed what he termed progress in opening up the Dublin Bus market to competition.

 

“The introduction of competition into the Dublin Bus market is great news for commuters and long overdue,

? he said.

“Commuters in my own constituency are set to benefit with the 17, 63 and 75, 76, 161 and the new route 175, included in this announcement. These routes provide vital services to UCD, Dundrum, Churchtown, Kilternan, Tibradden, Stillorgan and beyond.

“This tendering competition is just the first of three led by the NTA and which will ultimately result in approximately 10 per cent of the current PSO services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Ã?ireann being operated by operators chosen on the basis of a competitive tender.

?

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South West, Colm Brophy, said the move was Fine Gael delivering on its commitment to provide more choice and competition for bus passengers.

“Fine Gael campaigned on a policy of increased choice and competition for bus passengers in the last election,

? Deputy Brophy said.

“We committed to this and we are now delivering on this commitment in Government.

?

Go-Ahead is a UK rail and bus operator primarily known for its operations in London.

The company provides around 24 per cent of all the British capital’s bus services on behalf of Transport for London.

Dublin South West Minister, Katherine Zappone, said that an extensive information campaign would be needed to assure bus passengers on these routes that the switch to a new operator will not lead to increased fares or reduced services.

The Independent Minister is welcoming guarantees that free travel passes will be honoured by the new

‘Go-Ahead’ services and that fares cannot be increased without the go-ahead of the regulator.

However, Minister Zappone said an information campaign was needed to ensure loyal passengers, in particular older people and young families, that they will not be out of pocket as a result of the switch away from Dublin Bus.

“Our communities in Dublin South West will see some of the biggest changes as local bus routes switch from Dublin Bus to Go-Ahead,

? the minister said.

“It is arguably the biggest shake up in services since Dublin Bus was established over 30 years ago.

“Dublin Bus and its crews are the lifeblood of our communities

?? and will continue to be on many other routes serving Tallaght.

“I have been assured by Transport Minister Shane Ross and the National Transport Authority that passengers should not be out of pocket or see reduced services because of the move.

“Free travel passes will continue to be honoured on the 76, 76a, 175 and 75 routes after Go-Ahead starts operating.

“In addition, there can be no increase in fares without permission of the Transport Authority

?? this is in line with current arrangements on Dublin Bus and Luas.

“Passengers must be assured of these guarantees before Go-Ahead buses start to roll next year.

?