The National Transport Authority (NTA) undertook a public consultation during June and July on 2014 Bus Public Service Contracts, as required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The NTA is considering whether to undertake one or more procurement competitions for the award of part or all of these contracts, or it may decide to directly award part or all of these contracts to the existing contracted parties. It is the intention of the NTA to publish a summary consultation report on its website.
I, along with my colleague Minister Kelly, recently received reports from the NTA in relation to the public consultation and the market consultation with Irish and international bus operators undertaken in parallel. We are currently examining those reports in the context of the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision.