Historically, bus services in Dublin were operated mainly by the Dublin United Transport Company, which was incorporated into CIÉ in 1945.
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 These are public service obligation routes and occasionally replace sections of withdrawn or altered Bus Éireann Expressway services.
City and local services
State-owned
Dublin Bus operates the vast majority of bus services in Dublin, including night services on Fridays and Saturdays and some limited 24h services.
State-tendered
Go-Ahead Ireland operate approximately 10% of the total Dublin network, primarily consisting of routes transferred from Dublin Bus after it won a competitive tender process.
Go-Ahead additionally won the tender for the 197 service from Swords to Ashbourne which began operating on 24 November 2019. This does not operate as part of the Dublin network.[4]
Aircoach operates 3 express routes from Dublin Airport in the Dublin area, including the city centre as well as other destinations which connects with many of Dublin's major hotels.
Airport Hopper operate two services between Tallaght[6] and Maynooth[7] and Dublin Airport
Ashbourne Connect operate services between Ashbourne & Ratoath and the city [8]
Balbriggan Express operates between Balbriggan and the city [9]
Dublin Coach operate between Dundrum and Dublin Airport [10]
Express Bus operates various routes, primarily connecting business parks including Park West to the city or public transport nodes.[11]
Nolan Coaches, provides transfers between Heuston railway station and the Dublin Port for ferry foot passengers on behalf Stena Line and Irish Ferries.[14]
St Kevin's Bus Service operates a 7-day service between Glendalough, County Wicklow and Dublin city centre.
Swords Express Between Dublin City Centre and Swords Manor via Applewood, Pavilion Shopping centre Swords, River Valley, Boroimhe using the Dublin Port Tunnel.[15]
Longer distance and express services
State-owned
Bus Éireann operates many long-distance and express services to/from Dublin.
State-tendered
Go-Ahead Ireland won a competitive tender to take over a group of services from Dublin to the County Kildare area from Bus Éireann which began operations between 1 December 2019 and 19 January 2020, replacing Bus Éireann on these routes[16]
Aircoach run 18 express non-stop coach service a day between Dublin and Cork with a journey time of three hours to/from Dublin city centre and three and a half hours to/from Dublin Airport. They also operate 22 daily non-stop services from Belfast to Dublin City via Dublin Airport.
Matthews Coaches operates two daily routes: an express service from Dundalk and a frequent service to Bettystown and Laytown. Their Dublin terminus is Parnell Street.
Wexford Bus Operates express coaches throughout the day and night connecting Wexford, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Camolin, Gorey and Arklow with Dublin City and Airport