Public transport operators in Dublin

Many companies operate public transport services in Dublin, most of which are state-owned or semi-state-owned.

Today, two subsidiary companies of state-owned Córas Iompair Éireann operate most of the bus services in and around Dublin but many other private companies also provide services.

Most routes are awarded to the state-owned firms by non-tendered direct award[1] (with the exception of Dublin Bus Airlink and Bus Éireann Expressway services, which are entirely commercial); but recently a portion of both firms routes were offered for public tender.

Neither firm retained these routes, with Go-Ahead Ireland winning both contracts [2][3] Some additional routes are tendered where a need is identified by the National Transport Authority.

These are public service obligation routes and occasionally replace sections of withdrawn or altered Bus Éireann Expressway services.