NTA to tender €24.34m Letterkenny town bus contract for 2027 launch

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has issued a procurement notice for two new Letterkenny town bus routes, LY1 and LY2, under a €24.34 million contract lasting an initial five years.

The contract requires six single‑deck, low‑floor buses at peak times, each with a minimum of 32 fixed seats, overall capacity of at least 51 passengers, wheelchair access and a dedicated wheelchair space. The operator will provide depot facilities while the NTA will supply the ticketing system.

Service is planned to start in late 2027, offering an alternative to car travel as the town grapples with traffic congestion. An option to extend the contract by a further two years is included.

Calls for interim service

Letterkenny Fine Gael Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, who has campaigned for funding with Senator Manus Boyle, welcomed the development but urged an interim service to replace the private town bus that ceased earlier this year. He highlighted the need for transport for elderly and disabled residents.

Separately, Donegal County Council is seeking a design team for the Letterkenny Transport Hub, a €700,000 project to provide bus bays, a taxi rank, parking and public spaces. Tenders close on Friday 6 November.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Vitaly Gorbachev / Pexels.