Go-Aheadto create 425 new jobs with €8.5m investment
PRIVATE bus company GoAhead will create 425 new jobs as part of an €8.5m investment in Ireland.
The roles will be company-wide and include up to 350 bus drivers, as well as engineers, maintenance support, mechanics, operational and administrative personnel.
“Since being awarded the contract to run 24 of the existing Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area bus routes by the National Transport Authority last August, we have been building our Dublin operation in preparation for a phased roll-out commencing in September,” said Ed Wills, MD of Go-Ahead Ireland.
“Creating these new 425 jobs and providing a financially secure and investment-ready business is critical for our colleagues, our customers and our ambitious expansion plans.”
Drivers working at the UKowned company can expect to earn up to €32,000 per year, with opportunities for further earnings with overtime, a contributory pension scheme, as well as other benefits, a statement from the company said.
The announcement from Go-Ahead was welcomed by Minister for Transport Shane Ross, who described it as a “very significant” development for public transport in Ireland.
“As public transport usage increases, the Government remains committed to working with experienced companies who understand the sector and are eager to invest in its future to the benefit of all,” Minister Ross said.
Earlier this year, plans for a major new bus depot near Walkinstown in Dublin that will be used by Go-Ahead to operate bus routes on the outskirts of the capital were given the allclear by South Dublin County Council.
The depot, located at a former DHL distribution hub to the west of the city, will be used to house about 98 vehicles from the 125-strong bus fleet that will be operated by Go-Ahead.
Go-Ahead plans to start operating the 24 routes next November. It will be using a fleet of 40 single-decker buses and 85 double-deckers.
The company is one of the largest transport groups in the Britain, handling a combined one billion annual passenger journeys across its bus and rail network.