Bus company Go-Ahead Ireland has announced today that it is creating 425 jobs and investing €8.5 million as it expands its operations to include Go-Ahead Dublin.
Since the company was granted a contract from the National Transport Authority (NTA) last August, the Go-Ahead Ireland buses have been running 24 of the existing Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) routes, but will now expand in the coming months.
Although there will be company-wide positions available among the new jobs, approximately 350 of the spots will be for drivers. Go-Ahead Ireland hopes to make it easier for people to enter the field by paying the €4,000 fee per driver that’s part of obtaining the D license required to operate a bus.
The private company’s Managing Director Ed Willis said, “We have taken this decision to encourage people who don’t currently have the necessary D licence, but want to drive a bus, to apply and we believe this will open up the positions to a much wider group of people, who might not have considered a career in transport before.”
Drivers with Go-Ahead Ireland can earn up to €32,000 annually along with travel benefits, paid holiday, guaranteed hours, a contributory pension scheme and opportunities for advancement.
Other available positions with Go-Ahead Ireland will include maintenance support, planners, operational and administrative personnel, engineers and mechanics.
Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport Shane Ross T.D. voiced support for the company’s expansion today, saying: “These 425 new jobs and the €8.5 million investment being made by Go-Ahead Ireland is a very significant development for public transport in Ireland. I welcome both.”
The Go-Ahead Ireland buses are equipped with USB chargers on the seat backs, free WiFi, and both visual and audible “next stop” announcements. They are wheelchair and buggy accessible. Additionally, the buses are more environmentally-friendly, featuring the latest Euro VI diesel engine.
“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. We are passionate about what we do and are focused on attracting the very best talent out there,” said Mr Willis.
For more information visit https://www.go-aheaddublin.ie/.
