FAQ
What is the NTA responsible for?
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for determining the bus routes required to service the needs of the public. They also develop and manage all aspects of the Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI), set routes, fares, destinations and timetables; developing all collateral – across all platforms – intended to inform the general public. Their website is www.nationaltransport.ie
Do Go-Ahead Ireland ever amend routes?
Yes, on occasion we make recommendations, based on data analysis from the NTA, that will improve routes. These recommendations are mainly around increased frequency, slight alteration in routes and possibly new bus stops but all based on improving the service for customers. All amendments must be approved by the NTA beforehand.
Do you consult with the public?
The NTA manages all public consultation.
Do you have or will you be implementing a consultation process for parties that want to get routes changed?
Again, the NTA manages all consultation in relation to route changes.
What is TFI responsible for?
The Transport for Ireland (TFI) is the consumer brand created by the NTA. It is the interactive brand that allows the travelling public to plan their journeys via their www.transportforireland.ie website, TFI Journey Planner App and TFI Real Time (RTI) App.
What is Go-Ahead Ireland responsible for?
Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI) is a private bus operator. On Sunday 9th September 2018, it launched its first Dublin bus route, the 175. Between then and January 2019, it will take over the operation of another 23 bus routes as stipulated by a contract between the NTA and GAI. The switcher dates are outlined below but please note all are subject to change as stipulated by the NTA.
How can I plan my routes?
YYou can plan your journey via the National Journey Planner and Real Time Ireland apps – both of which are managed by Transport for Ireland. Please go to the App store to download both for free. For laptop and PC users, they can visit the TFI website on www.transportforireland.ie
Can I use my Leap card?
The following can be used on all Go-Ahead Ireland bus services; exact cash, Leap Card, CAP card, Tax Saver Ticket, Annual & Monthly tickets, Rambler, Dublin Bus Pass and Free Travel Pass.
Why is Go-Ahead Ireland operating these routes?
In 2017, the National Transport Authority (NTA) awarded Go-Ahead Ireland the tender to operate 10% of the current bus network in Dublin consisting of the ODMA (Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area) Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus routes. This 10% of routes is made up of one new bus route – the 175 – and 23 existing ones.
Is this the start of bus privatisation?
The NTA and TFI are committed to providing the travelling public with a first-class bus service. As part of this process, in 2017, the NTA implemented a competitive tender to operate the 10% of ODMA bus routes. Several parties, including the incumbent operator, submitted proposals, Go-Ahead Ireland was awarded the contract. Go-Ahead Ireland is an autonomous arm of the Go-Ahead Group in the UK. With over 30 years’ experience in rail and bus transport, it brings an enormous amount of experience to the Irish market. It is important to state that our entry into the Irish market is not privatisation as the NTA retains full control of the services and we operate these under contract.
Bus Livery
The new bus livery, which was designed by the NTA following public consultation, is blue, white and green with a yellow front. The operators’ name will be on the sides of the buses. This new livery reflects the broadening of the number of operators in the Irish marketplace.
Bus Stops
On routes where Go-Ahead Ireland takes over Dublin Bus routes, there will be a new bus stop in steel with blue and white livery. Currently there are some temporary ones at some stops. Customers will see the Go-Ahead Ireland and Transport for Ireland logos on them. On some occasions a Go-Ahead Ireland bus stop will be close to a Dublin Bus one.
Who fixes bus fares?
All bus fares are set by the NTA.
Why don’t you have a travel app?
Both the existing Transport for Ireland (TFI) apps – the National Journey Planner and Real Time Ireland – are both very up to date and easy to use. For this reason, it makes sense for customers to use these.
Are your buses wheelchair friendly?
Yes.
Are you buses pet friendly?
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome on our buses and all animals should be required to sit at the feet of person responsible for them without blocking the gangway. All pets and animals are carried free of charge. Alternatively, it is acceptable for smaller animals to sit on the lap of the customer but not on the actual seat where it is at risk of being soiled. It is our policy to use discretion regarding carriage. Any bird or animal which is likely to cause annoyance or damage to any customer or the vehicle will politely be declined travel.
Phase 0 – 175
When did the 175 launch?
The 175 began service on Sunday 9th September 2018 at 9.11am from UCD. Its route takes it to Citywest and back. There are 65 stops there and 63 back. It covers just over 24 kms and is operated by a fleet of 9 buses and 19 Go-Ahead Ireland buses.
How frequently will it run?
The 175 runs half hourly. Timetables, stops, routes and stages are on the TFI website (www.transportforireland.ie) website.
What route will it follow?
Timetables, stops, routes and stages are on the TFI website (www.transportforireland.ie) website.
How did Go-Ahead Ireland plan the 175 bus route?
As a new bus route, the 175 bus route was designed in conjunction with the NTA, who gave it the final approval.
From 2nd December 2018 – increased journey times in the Ballyboden and Dundrum areas during Monday to Friday peak periods. Additional journeys operated during Monday to Friday peak periods towards UCD – arriving 08:40 – and towards Citywest arriving 06:45 and 07:45. All changes have been made following customer feedback.
Phase 1– 45A, 59. 63 & 75
On Sunday 7th October 2018 Go-Ahead Ireland took over the operation of the above routes.
However, the following is a route by route guide to any changes made to the above routes.
45A /45B
Daytime frequency enhanced to every 20 minutes, and every 30 minutes each evening and Sunday daytimes.
Existing journeys diverting via Shanganagh Cliffs Estate are numbered 45B to distinguish them from the standard route, but apart from this the route is the same as the 45A.
From 2nd December 2018 – increased journey times in the Bray area during Monday to Friday peak periods, weekend daytimes and early evenings.
59
Departure times between Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey and vice versa have been coordinated with service 111 where possible to offer more evenly spaced departures along these roads.
The route stays the same and there are no route variations.
From 2nd December 2018 – minor timing adjustments have been made
63 (63A)
Weekday daytime frequency remains every 30 minutes with first and last bus times broadly similar but enhanced to every 30 minutes each evening and Sunday daytimes. Please note, the start and end point on all routes – including 63 & 63A – are the same. The A route journeys via Foxrock as outlined on the timetable.
From 2nd December 2018 (63) - increased journey times in the Carrickmines area during Monday to Friday peak periods.
75 (75A)
Existing journeys via Sandyford Business Park will remain and be augmented at peak periods. These enhance the number of peak journeys between Dundrum and Tallaght.
The route is changed in Dundrum to now serve Main Street, Taney Road and Sydenham Road to allow for better travel opportunities with connections on to the Luas green line.
The timetable has been coordinated with the route 175 between Dundrum and Tallaght to offer more evenly spread departures throughout the day.
First and last journey times are similar and additional Sunday morning and evening journeys will be introduced.
Please note, journeys via Sandyford Business Park are numbered 75A as outlined on the timetable.
From 2nd December 2018 – Additional journeys operated during Monday to Friday peak periods. General increase in journey times in the Rathfarnham, Dundrum and Stillorgan areas.
Phase 2– 111, 184 & 185
These services launched on Sunday, 21st October 2018.
111
On Mondays to Saturdays there are earlier trips from Dún Laoghaire towards Brides Glen to allow for better connections to the Luas green line.
A brand new Sunday service has been introduced to offer an hourly frequency, with the first journey from Brides Glen leaving at 09:33 and the final journey leaving at 23:33.
Departure times between Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey and vice versa have been coordinated with service 59 where possible to offer more evenly spaced departures along these roads.
The route stays the same and there are no route variations.
184
The timetable has been designed to connect with revised DART services at Greystones to and from Newtownmountkennedy.
The first and last journeys are broadly similar but the Mondays to Fridays evening frequency increases to every 30 minutes. On Saturdays and Sundays, there will be many extra journeys operating every 30 minutes, compared to current service provision of every hour on Saturdays and 2 hours on Sundays.
185
The route is not changing but more journeys are also serving the Palermo Estate.
The times of the first, last and peak journeys are similar to the current ones. All the roads on the 185 will be continued to be served when we take over the route. Some improvements have been made to make the timetable easier to understand. Each day, there will be departures every 30 minutes from Bray DART station to Palermo Estate, with one of these continuing every hour to Powerscourt via Enniskerry. The 185 will terminate at bus stop 4108 which is Enniskerry Golf Club (known locally as Shop River), as it does currently.
Phase 3 – 17A, 33A, 33B & 102
These services will switchover on Sunday 2nd December 2018. Please see changes below and refer to our website here or www.transportireland.ie for timetable information
17A: Kilbarrack – Beaumount Hospital – Ballymun – Finglas – Blanchardstown
- Follows existing 17A route except takes a more direct route between N4 and Blanchardstwon Shopping Centre but will continue to use current terminal stops in Blanchardstown.
- Regular 20-minute frequency all day, every day but increasing to every 15 minutes during Monday to Friday peak periods
- Every 30 minutes early on Saturday and Sunday mornings and during Sunday evenings
33A: Balbriggan – Skerries – Swords – Dublin Airport
- Follows existing 33A route
- The route will be converted from Double Deck to Single Deck operation
- Co-ordinated with Dublin Bus route 33 to provide a regular 30 minute frequency between Skerries and Swords
- Dublin Bus route 33 continues to Dublin City Centre and peak journeys on route 33X remain
- Route 33A is extended from Skerries to Balbriggan every 90 minutes
- Route 33A is newly extended from Swords direct to Dublin Airport (Bus Zone 15) every 90 minutes
33B: Portrane – Donabate – Swords
- Follows existing 33B route
- The route will be converted from Double Deck to Single Deck operation
- Daytime frequency enhanced to operate every 30 minutes between Portrane (Seaview Estate) and Swords
- Regular hourly frequency early on Saturdays and Sundays and every evening
- Extended from Portrane (Seaview Estate) to Smarts Lane every hour
- Extended from Portrane (Seaview Estate) to Portrane Hospital every hour
- Many journeys from/to Portrane with trains to Donabate Station
102: Sutton – Malahide – Swords – Dublin Airport
- Follows existing 102 route
- The route will be converted from Double Deck to Single Deck operation
- Regular 30 minutes frequency all day, every day
- Most journeys connect with DART trains at Sutton Station
Phase 4 – 17, 104, 114, 161, 220, 236, 238, 239 & 270,
These services will switchover on Sunday 20th January 2019.
All information in relation to timetables – and any alterations to routes – will be communicated in due course.
Phase 5 – 18, 76 & 76A
We are scheduled to take over the operation of remaining routes 18, 76 & 76A soon. We will keep you updated on dates here.
All information in relation to timetables – and any alterations to routes – will be communicated in due course.