Ratoath bus routes earmarked for possible privatisation

Bus services in Ratoath could be facing privatisation as part of the National Transport Authority's (NTA) proposal to open up 10 per cent of Bus Eireann routes to competitive tender.

Four Meath services along the M2 corridor are among eight that have been earmarked for possible privatisation. They are the 103 (Dublin-Ashbourne-Ratoath-Tayto Park); the 103X (Dublin-Coolquay-Ratoath-Fairyhouse); the 105 (Drogheda-Ashbourne-Ratoath-Blanchardstown) and the 105X (Dublin-Fairyhouse-Ratoath-Ashbourne).

The services are currently operated by Bus Eireann under the its public service bus contract with the NTA running from 2014 to 2019.

This direct award contract with Bus Eireann is due to be renewed on 1st December 2019 for five years with the NTA publishing its consultation paper this week where it outlines that it considering opening 10 per cent of routes up for competitive tendering. It is intended that the successful tenderer would begin operating these services in 2021.

Bus Eireann has said it will positively engage in the consultation process and indicated that it will seek to retain any routes it currently operates, which may be subject to further tender.

Meanwhile, unions have condemned the move by the NTA to open up further routes for tender with SIPTU organiser John Murphy describing it as a "flawed ideologically driven agenda which will result in the further privatisation of our public bus services".

Submissions can be made to the NTA on its proposals up to Tuesday, 30th October.

Under the terms of the last direct award contract with Bus Eireann, a number of routes were opened up for tender. Bus Eireann won the tender for the Waterford City services due to commence next month, while Go-Ahead was the successful tenderer for 24 routes in the Dublin Metropolitan area.