Authority denies privatisation of public bus routes

The National Transport Authority has denied that the tendering out of 10% of public bus routes to private operators is “privatisation” as it will continue to have full control of how those services are delivered.

Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus drivers are to stage seven days of strikes next month over the tendering of the routes and a lack of guarantees over how it may impact on their terms and conditions.

Dublin Bus faces daily fines of €150,000 from the NTA for failure to provide services on those days, while Bus Éíreann is to be fined €80,000 per day.