As we are in the final month of the year, December 2025, Transport for London (TfL), ahem, the National Transport Authority (NTA) in Ireland has announced that Go-Ahead Ireland has won a contract to operate 65 Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus routes across the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area.
This is a brief follow-up to my previous article in September, when Go-Ahead Singapore won the contract from the Land Transport Authority to operate 27 bus routes in Singapore.
From The National Transport Authority
Minister marks NTA – Go-Ahead Ireland five year contract for Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA)
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien joined the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Go-Ahead Ireland to mark the signing of a significant five-year contract to operate Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services across the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA).
65 Public Service Obligation bus routes
Under the agreement, Go-Ahead Ireland will manage 65 PSO bus routes across the ODMA, including nine term-time routes designed to support local families and strengthen community connectivity. Once fully implemented, these services will add approximately 17.5 million kilometres annually to the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, enhancing public transport connectivity for communities across North and South Dublin.
New Go-Ahead bus routes started on Saturday, 22 November
On Saturday, 22 November, Go-Ahead Ireland began operating 25 routes under the new ODMA North and South contract, while continuing to run 15 routes from the original ODMA contract during a transitional period. These 15 routes will be gradually phased out as new services launch under BusConnects. The remaining 40 routes will be introduced in phases, aligned with the rollout of phases 8 to 11 of the BusConnects Network Redesign.
Go-Ahead Ireland was selected earlier this year as the preferred bidder under a competitive public procurement process.
Since 2018, Go-Ahead Ireland has been operating under contract with the NTA in the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area, facilitating nearly 97 million passenger journeys to work, school, medical appointments, and beyond. In 2024, customer satisfaction reached 82%, underscoring the operator’s vital role within the TFI network.
Read more
As for the type of vehicles, this was not mentioned in the press release; however, I noted in my previous article that the Irish Government has allocated €10.1 billion for public transport improvements, which includes new electric buses.
Here are the highlights of my posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) and BlueSky. If you have an account on X and BlueSky, you are welcome to like and retweet my posts.
Post by Alexander Dennis on LinkedIn:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) November 28, 2025
Alexander Dennis supported South Yorkshire MCA engagement with a Liverpool City Region Enviro400EV electric double-decker, showcasing future franchised buses. Local team welcomes investment; survey runs until 15 Dec.https://t.co/mlf7Opv4na pic.twitter.com/dl4RhNfA6J
Transport for London Have Your Say: TfL plans to restructure routes 259 and 279 and withdraw 349 to reduce duplication and better match demand. The changes introduce new links but mean some passengers will need to interchange. Public feedback is open until 23 January 2026.
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) November 28, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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Highlights of the agenda reports pack (including the Commissioner's Report) for the 3 December 2025 #Transport for #London Board meeting:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) November 29, 2025
Progress on new trains, 2,600+ zero-emission buses & the DLR Thamesmead extension. Despite lower passenger numbers, a £5m surplus is forecast. pic.twitter.com/BuVqfXnkeQ
Who remembers, back in the 1990s, when route 19’s AEC Routemasters appeared in a cream and maroon livery after London Transport contracted the service to Kentish Bus, giving them the freedom to paint their buses in any colour?
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) November 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
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I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
