Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has expressed his deep disappointment following confirmation from the National Transport Authority (NTA) that Go-Ahead Ireland has been selected as the preferred tenderer to continue operating bus services in the Wicklow area. Contracts are to be signed in the coming weeks.
The decision was conveyed to Deputy Brady during a recent meeting with the CEO of the NTA.
“It is incredibly disappointing that Go-Ahead has once again been chosen to operate bus routes in Wicklow,” said Deputy Brady.
“This decision comes despite a track record of serious failures over the last seven years. It’s clear the government is intent on doubling down on the privatisation of our public transport network—regardless of how poorly it’s working for local communities.”
Deputy Brady said he continues to receive a steady stream of complaints from constituents about Go-Ahead’s service.
“Buses frequently don’t show up, services are chronically late, and there’s often no communication or real-time information. People are left standing at bus stops, missing work, school, hospital appointments—it’s simply not acceptable. Public transport should work for people, not leave them stranded.”
In 2023 alone, Go-Ahead was fined €1.1 million in performance-related penalties. In the first quarter of 2024, the company incurred a further €761,000 in deductions due to poor service delivery.
“These numbers speak volumes. There’s a clear and consistent pattern of underperformance. Yet instead of holding the operator to account, the government and NTA is preparing to hand them another multi-year contract. That raises serious questions about how performance is being evaluated and whether the current system puts passengers first.”
Deputy Brady stated, “I am writing to both the Minister for Transport and the NTA urging them not to proceed with awarding the new contract to Go-Ahead.”
“Reliable, frequent, and accessible public transport is essential—not just for reducing car dependency and emissions, but for ensuring communities can stay connected. But none of that is possible if people can’t even rely on their bus to arrive.”
The new contract is due to begin in November 2025, for a period of five years, with the possibility of a two-year extension.
Deputy Brady concluded “My priority is to secure high-quality, dependable public transport for the people of Wicklow. The continued privatisation of our public transport is not going to achieve that, and the last seven years is evidence of that.”