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Updated 9.52 PM
OVER 20 ROUTES operated by Dublin Bus, as well as some Bus Éireann services are to be privatised, the National Transport Authority has confirmed.
The decision means that the routes will be subject to a new tendering process which will be open to both existing and outside operators.
The NTA say that some of the routes affected include orbital routes in Dublin like the 75, which operates between Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire, the 17 between Rialto and Blackrock,
Local routes, like the 33b between Swords and Portrane, the 63 between Dun Laoghaire and Kiltiernan and the 270 between Blanchardstown and Dunboyne.
According the NTA, some Dublin commuter routes into Leinster will also come under the scheme, as well as a number of Waterford routes.
The Dublin routes open to private operators from 2016. (Source National Transport Authority)
The decision was made following a consultation process which discussed the principle of direct award contracts. The results of the process are available on the NTA website.
In the report of the consultation process it is clear that there was opposition to the proposal from a number of unions including SIPTU, the National Bus and Rail Union (NRBU) and Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Bus Éireann themselves voiced their opposition to their proposals as did Sinn Féin.
Forfás, Chambers Ireland and Aircoach made submissions in favour of the proposals with Aircoach urging the the NTA to proceed with the proposals immediately.
Bus Éireann
Following the NTA’s decision, Bus Éireann say they will participate in the tendering process on the new open routes.
The company used the opportunity to reiterate their belief that opening up the market could have “unintended consequences” and said that that the practice internationally has led to “a reduction in the quality and frequency of services”.
Additional reporting by Daragh Brophy
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No, really? FFS, when are they going to crack down on bookies. Not only giving free range to every criminal to explain their strange excess of money is all “from a good day on the horses”. Betting isn’t a right and has serious negative social consequences as it is, nevermind how open it is to abuse from criminality. Regulate so accounts are linked to a pps number. Make gamblers pay tax on their annual profits (not all winnings) and have all payouts accounted for. Make the lads at the tracks scan a card. They’re making more than enough money, they can well afford the overheads
@*The* Brendan Gordon: stop..
@*The* Brendan Gordon: Ah, give it a rest. What about my pal from Drumcondra who is a wizz at picking the ponies and he doesn’t have a bank account. Crack down on the bookies and he’ll be only coming to me for another dig out.
Legalise drugs.
The taxpayer is funding irish racing by 64 million this year. why isin’t the bookies funding it.
So it’s not just Bertie who doesn’t have a bank account?
C.A.B :so where did you accumulate this money?
Shytebag:good day at race’s paaal
@Gavin Murphy: ah dont talk about Bertie like that. He’s lovely
Either way…..
The bookies still win.
BREAKING NEWS: Criminals launder money
@Peter W: hope they don’t mix the €100 with the €50 bills!!!!! the colors could run!!!
This has been going on since Gilligan at least. According to the books. I know nothing about this kinda thing and I knew this.
@Eoin Scanlon: wow that was some oxymoron right there!!!
What happen if they lose the bet ?
@Dominic Leleu: this won’t change, bookies have too much influence in this country. The US, for its many other ills, has addressed this and has gambling controls that would never be accepted by the lobbyists here.
Hardly surprising. Drug dealers, Bookies etc. They’re from the same group of bloodsuckers that prey on the vulnerable, the addicts, the youth and the less well off. It’s sold as fun.
For well over ten years this is going on and there is so many choices to hide the money with, PP, Bet365, William Hill, Betdak etc.
Used to work in a bookmakers myself, and one or two of our “customers” who were obviously drug dealers or involved in crime would have us keep their money in our safe overnight, sometimes maybe 2 grand in cash, nobody ever said a word, so it’s hardly surprising this goes on. And they would always bet big on races often 200/300 a go. You would want to be Mr Bean to not be able to work out what they are doing
It’s all old hat, everybody knows that Paddy Power and Boyles were allowed to grow their shop chain on drug money.
I see the Helen Lovejoy brigade are out in force this morning.
@Weldoninhio: Answers on a postcard please to Paddy Powers Pr division and the Dept of Sureweloveannaulrogue
Morally reprehensible, and the drug dealers are even worse.
have your say