The National Transport Authority has launched a tender for two bus routes in Wicklow.
The routes affected will be the Dublin Bus routes 45a to Ballywaltrim and the 184 and 185 to Newtownmountkennedy.
In a statement, the authority said that some 10% of routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and by Bus Éireann nationwide will be subject to competitive tendering.
Fares, Leap cards, and bus time apps will all be integrated in Dublin Bus.
Contracts will be awarded in 2015 for August 2016 operation. Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will be able to compete for the tenders when the competition begins.
Local TD Andrew Doyle said the NTA proposal to open the two Dublin bus routes to tender will “ensure a more responsive bus service to the local user’s needs for a reduced cost.”
However, earlier this month union bosses warned the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport that commuters could see an increase in fares as a result of the move.
[Tweet “The 45a to Ballywaltrim and the 184/185 to Newtown could be privatised”]
