Go-Ahead Ireland wins major new contract

Go-Ahead Ireland has been awarded a new contract from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to more than double the number of routes it will operate within the Greater Dublin Area.   

A new five-year agreement, extendable for a further two years, will see Go-Ahead Ireland expand to provide services on 65 routes across the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) and progress its net-zero ambitions.   

Go-Ahead Ireland has been working in partnership with the National Transport Authority since 2018 to provide reliable, punctual and accessible services to their customers in the Greater Dublin Area.  

Last year, Go-Ahead Ireland served 22.5 million customers, a 20% increase on the previous year, and achieved the highest customer satisfaction within public transport in Dublin. Go-Ahead Ireland has also supported its community with initiatives including apprenticeship programmes, partnerships with national and local charities such as Down Syndrome Ireland, and five years of sponsorship of Dublin GAA. 

Under the new contract, Go-Ahead Ireland will:  

• Expand its network to 72 routes, including 65 ODMA routes aligned with the NTA’s BusConnects Network Redesign programme. 

• Add over 150 buses to its fleet, with plans to electrify its Ballymount depot in the future. 

• Open new depots, including in Ballycoolin, Dublin and Kilpedder, North County Wicklow. 

• Recruit for new team members including a focus on female bus drivers   

Speaking on the contract announcement, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “This agreement represents a significant investment in the future of public transport in Dublin and delivers on commitments set out in the Programme for Government. Expanding services and improving connectivity are central to our climate and mobility goals, ensuring that more people have access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable transport options.” 

Adding to this, newly appointed NTA CEO Anne Shaw said: “This contract is a key milestone in our BusConnects programme and in our broader vision for public transport in Dublin. By partnering with Go-Ahead Ireland, we are ensuring that passengers benefit from modern, efficient, and customer-focused services. Our goal is to make public transport the first choice for more people, reducing congestion and emissions while improving quality of life.” 

Dervla McKay, Managing Director, Go-Ahead Ireland, added: “We have a long-term commitment to our customers in the Greater Dublin Area, and we’re delighted to be able to serve even more members of our growing community. Our continued partnership with the NTA means we’ll create more jobs, advance our journey to net-zero, and continue offering reliable, punctual and accessible services.