Free travel passes to be honoured by new operator on local bus routes
Free travel passes used on local bus routes set to taken over by Go-Ahead will be honoured according to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone.
The British company won the tender for 24 routes currently operated by Dublin Bus yesterday, with the 75, 76 and 76a routes all included in the package.
The new operator will run the service, but the fleet of buses will remain in the ownership of the National Transport Authority.
Speaking after the announcement, Minister Zappone said: “I have been assured by Transport Minister Shane Ross and the National Transport Authority that passengers should not be out of pocket or see reduced services because of the move.
“Free travel passes will continue to be honoured on the 76, 76a, 175 and 75 routes after Go-Ahead starts operating.
“In addition there can be no increase in fares without permission of the Transport Authority – this is in line with current arrangements on Dublin Bus and Luas.
“Passengers must be assured of these guarantees before Go-Ahead busses start to roll at the end of next year.
“During the change-over process and once operations begin it is important that the service is kept under constant review.”
The takeover of the routes is expected begin in late 2018 and should be completed by February 2019.
