Private operator set to take over four Dublin bus routes this weekend

Four Dublin bus routes are set to switch operators from Sunday.

Bus routes 45a, 59, 63 and 75 will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland, which will see route amendments and frequency changes.

Fares remain unchanged and Leap Cards and the Free Travel Pass will be accepted on the services.

Under reforms 10 per cent of Dublin Bus routes - 23 existing services - were put out to tender, which was won by Go-Ahead, a UK company. It has been operating one service - route 175 - since early September.

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The company will take over routes 111, 184 and 185 on October 21st. Other services will transfer to Go-Ahead in December and January.

The vast majority of the drivers who work on services that are being transferred to the Go-Ahead company will be remaining with Dublin Bus. However, in future they will have to operate other routes, potentially on different rosters.

No driver will be forced to move from Dublin Bus under assurances provided by the Government in 2015.

Chief Executive Officer Anne Graham said: “In the coming weeks and months, we will see a very substantial increase in frequency and service levels on about 50 bus routes in Dublin, operated under the Transport for Ireland brand, by both Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland.

“This is the single biggest programme of service improvements that the NTA has ever approved and it is indicative of the level of commitment we have to making the bus service better for more passengers across the network in Dublin.”

Ed Willis, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland said: “We are delighted to commence operation of further services and are looking forward to providing a quality service to our customers and playing our part in helping to keep Dublin moving.”

Amendments and frequency changes to routes:

Route 45a - Dun Laoghaire to Kilmacanogue

Daytime frequency enhanced to every 20 minutes, and every 30 minutes each evening and Sunday daytimes. Existing journeys diverting via Shanganagh Cliffs Estate are numbered 45B to distinguish them from the standard route, but apart from this the route is the same as the 45A.

Route 59 - Dun Laoghaire to Killiney

Departure times between Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey and vice versa have been coordinated with service 111 where possible to offer more evenly spaced departures along these roads. The route stays the same and there are no route variations.

Route 63 - Dun Laoghaire to Kilternan

Weekday daytime frequency remains every 30 minutes with first and last bus times broadly similar. Frequency enhanced to every 30 minutes evenings and Sunday daytimes.

Route 75 - Dun Laoghaire to Tallaght

Existing journeys via Sandyford Business Park will remain and be augmented at peak periods. The route is changed in Dundrum to now serve Main Street, Taney Road and Sydenham Road.

The timetable has been coordinated with the route 175 between Dundrum and Tallaght to offer more evenly spread departures throughout the day. First and last journey times are similar and additional Sunday morning and evening journeys will be introduced.