Introduction
Ireland has announced one of its largest recent public transport contract awards, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) confirming the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the provision of public bus services across the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Areas (ODMA) North and South. The high-value services contract, with an estimated overall value of €743 million, has been awarded to Go-Ahead Transport Services (Dublin) Ltd. The contract was signed on 18 October 2024 and formally published in December 2025.
Contract Details
The awarded procurement follows an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) procedure and covers the operation of extensive public bus networks in the outer Dublin metropolitan region. Classified as a services contract, the procurement falls under CPV codes 60100000, 60112000, 60130000, and 63712000, encompassing road transport, public bus services, and transport support services.
The contract is divided into two operational lots:
Lot 1 - ODMA North:
A total of 23 bus routes, with 5 routes already in operation under the existing ODMA contract and 18 new routes launched in October 2025. Once fully operational, the network will deliver approximately 5.7 million scheduled kilometres annually, supported by a Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of around 131 buses.Lot 2 - ODMA South:
A total of 32 bus routes, including 15 existing routes and 17 new routes introduced from October 2025. When fully operational, ODMA South will provide around 9.0 million scheduled kilometres per year, with a PVR of approximately 143 buses.
Route lengths and service frequencies will vary significantly across both lots, with services operating predominantly Monday to Sunday and some routes running weekday-only or at reduced weekend frequencies.
Contract Value and Scope
The estimated contract value for both lots is €465 million, with the NTA reserving the right to spend up to €511 million depending on operational requirements. When including potential extensions and long-term service commitments, the overall projected value of the awarded tender is estimated at €743 million, making it a landmark award in Ireland’s public transport procurement sector.
Entities Involved
The procuring authority is the National Transport Authority, headquartered in Dublin, which is responsible for planning, regulating, and funding public transport services nationwide.
The successful operator, Go-Ahead Transport Services (Dublin) Ltd, is based in Dublin and is an established provider of PSO bus services in Ireland, already operating several urban and commuter routes under contract to the NTA. Details of other tenderers were not disclosed in the Contract Award Notice.
Strategic and Community Significance
This government transport contract award represents a major investment in Dublin’s public transport infrastructure. The ODMA North and South networks will significantly enhance connectivity for suburban and outer metropolitan communities, supporting population growth, commuter mobility, and regional economic activity.
The contract also aligns with Ireland’s broader transport and climate policies, promoting increased public transport usage, reduced congestion, and lower carbon emissions. The scale of the fleet deployment and service kilometres underscores the strategic importance of PSO contracts in delivering sustainable urban mobility.
Background on the Winning Operator
Go-Ahead Transport Services (Dublin) Ltd is part of the international Go-Ahead Group, with extensive experience in operating bus and rail services in regulated public transport markets. In Ireland, Go-Ahead has become a key partner of the NTA, known for managing large route portfolios and integrating new services into existing transport networks.
Technical and Operational Overview
The contract includes full responsibility for bus operations, fleet deployment, scheduling, staffing, service reliability, and performance compliance. The high annual mileage and large PVR requirements indicate a complex, resource-intensive operation supported by modern fleet management and operational systems.
Conclusion
The award of the ODMA North and South PSO bus services contracts to Go-Ahead Transport marks a milestone in Ireland’s public transport procurement landscape. As the new and expanded routes come into operation from October 2025, the contract is expected to deliver substantial improvements in accessibility, service coverage, and passenger capacity across outer Dublin. The project also highlights the growing scale of awarded tenders in Ireland’s public transport sector and sets the stage for future network expansions.
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