Dublin bus market opens to competition

THE Government is to open up the Dublin bus market to competition in coming months by tendering out routes to private operators.

The number of buses in Greater Dublin is to increase by 1,800 under the Transport 21 initiative. The Government will allocate €30 million to Dublin Bus immediately to buy 100 additional buses for delivery over 2006 and 20007.

A further 100 buses from the private sector will provide services on new routes. The Government is also spending €50m for 160 buses for Bus Éireann outside of Dublin during 2007.