Go-Ahead Ireland to create 100 jobs with €4.5m investment

Go-Ahead Ireland, the company which won the contract to take over 24 routes in the capital from Dublin Bus, is to create 100 jobs with a €4.5 million investment in a second bus depot in Naas, Co Kildare.

The final three bus routes switched from Dublin Bus to Go-Ahead Ireland last month in a move that marked the final phase of a privatisation plan that began in September.

Under reforms announced in 2017, one in 10 Dublin Bus routes were put out to tender. The contract was won by Go-Ahead Ireland. The company has created 425 jobs and invested €12.5 million invested in its Dublin business since 2018.

In a separate tender, Go-Ahead Ireland was awarded the contract to take over six Dublin commuter routes from Bus Éireann. This latest announcement is to facilitate that contract, as well as ongoing growth across the Go-Ahead Ireland business.

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The new roles include bus drivers, engineers, maintenance and operational support, supervisors and admin personnel - the majority of which will be based in the new Naas depot, although there is some flexibility on location.

Bus drivers will be offered comprehensive training, paid for by the company, and the package includes post-training earning of up to €32,000 per annum, a contributory pension scheme, overtime, and “outstanding career development opportunities”.

The €4.5 million investment will be spread across driver training, depot fit out and mobilisation.

The routes will run from Dublin to Edenderry; Tullamore to Enfield; Dublin to Kilmeage; Dublin to Portlaoise; and Dublin to Newbridge (with extensions to Kildare and Rathangan).

The National Transport Authority has indicated switchover dates from Bus Éireann to Go-Ahead Ireland will be in the last quarter of 2019. Exact dates and timetables will be issued over the coming months.

Go-Ahead Ireland managing director Ed Wills said bus driver roles would suit individuals who enjoy working with the public.

“We are delighted to expand our investment, support the economy and create jobs in Ireland,” he said. “It is important for us to grow talent locally and we look forward to engaging with the communities these new routes will operate in.

“Bus driver roles are great for those who enjoy working with the public and relish being part of a busy environment.”

Go-Ahead Ireland said it was eager to hear from anyone who holds a full car driving licence for two years – who meets the medical requirements – as well as experienced category D licence holders.