It was also announced that the entire fleet could become completely cashless by 2020.
Updated: 15.15
A new operator will be running 24 routes across the city later this year, and a new design has been put in place for these buses.
The Herald are reporting that the logo and well-known colour scheme of the fleet has been given an overhaul.
Gone is the eye-catching yellow and blue, and in its place is blue with “flashings of green and white”, with the Dublin Bus logo changed to ‘Transport For Ireland’.
There are growing concerns that upcoming changes in Dublin Bus are allowing it to be easier for privatisation to occur within the fleet.
Fianna Fail TD John Lahart is not a fan of the changes:
“Dublin Bus is part of the fabric of Dublin and I don’t think it should be eviscerated so easily. Feedback shows the colours appeal to people with special needs and are a help to people who are visually impaired -they can see it coming and the current scheme was chosen with this in mind.
“I think the Dublin Bus brand is worth defending and fighting for.”
Additionally, the National Transport Authority have announced that it will still be about two years before the Dublin Bus fleet becomes entirely cashless.
At an event to mark the sale of the three-millionth Leap Card, NTA chief executive Anne Graham stated (via RTE) that existing machines will have to be updated to be able to process credit cards and mobile phone technology as well as Leap cards.
This is part of the €1 billion investment scheme over the next ten years, that involves redrawing bus routes, creating enhanced bus corridors and introducing cashless fare payments across the network, which was introduced last year by Minister Of Transport Shane Ross.
Dublin Bus released a statement to JOE on the news, as follows:
“The Dublin Bus brand is an iconic brand, which is widely recognised nationally and is a significant asset to the state. The value of this citizen brand should be utilised to the maximum, building on its strong performance to drive further customer growth. Dublin Bus has not received an official proposal from the National Transport Authority on this matter. Dublin Bus will continue to work with the NTA to seek the best possible outcome for our customers, company and city.”
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