Bus Éireann's 120 Bus Route Opened Up To Private Bidders

By Justin Kelly

The number 120 Bus Éireann Dublin route which currently services Tullamore and Edenderry has been included on a list of routes being opened up to bids from private bus operators. Five Bus Éireann routes in total have been put up for possible privatisation, mostly Dublin-Kildare commuter services.

The National Transport Authority has advertised 28 routes in total, 23 of which are currently operated by Dublin Bus, as well as the five Bus Éireann routes, for prospective private bids.

This is part of the Government’s plan to open up 10 per cent of public bus routes to the private market, despite the unions representing transport workers threatening industrial action if this privatisation goes ahead.

Talks between the National Bus and Rail Union, SIPTU, the transport authority, and managers from both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are ongoing at the Labour Relations Commission. A new round of negotiations between the parties has been fixed for Monday, February 1.

Companies are being asked to express an interest in the routes before April 17 this year.