Transport for Ireland

What Transport for Ireland does

Transport for Ireland (TFI) is the unified consumer-facing brand of Ireland's National Transport Authority (NTA), a statutory body established on December 1, 2009 under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. TFI coordinates multi-modal public transport across Ireland spanning national rail (Iarnród Éireann), Dublin light rail (Luas), urban and regional bus services (Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland), rural Local Link services, taxis, and bike share, serving more than 1 million daily passenger journeys. Its technology platform comprises a central journey planning website, five mobile applications (TFI Live, TFI Leap Top-Up, TFI Go, TFI Driver Check, TFI Anseo), and the Leap Card contactless smart card system with integrated 90-minute multi-modal fares and capped pricing.

TFI does not directly generate revenue; it is funded through Irish government exchequer allocations and Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts with commercial operators. Fares are collected by contracted operators (Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland) under pricing tiers including the €2/€1/€0.65 TFI 90-Minute Fare and Leap Card products that deliver up to 30% savings for adults and up to 50% for Young Adult (19-25) and Student cardholders. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through digital self-serve apps and the website, supplemented by event-driven demand-generation campaigns (concerts, sports, EU Presidency) and tourism partnerships such as the Mount Congreve Gardens pilot.

The company is pursuing major infrastructure expansion through BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign, DART+, and MetroLink, alongside the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which has delivered 150+ new or improved bus routes. Limerick has become Ireland's first all-electric TFI bus city network. Customer satisfaction is reported at 82% (39% very satisfied, 43% fairly satisfied). Customer segments are dominated by general commuters, students/young adults, visitors, event attendees, and government/policy stakeholders, with no meaningful enterprise customer concentration.

Name

Transport for Ireland

Legal name

National Transport Authority

Website

https://transportforireland.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Transport for Ireland is the unified public transport brand of Ireland's National Transport Authority, coordinating bus, rail, tram, taxi, and bike share services across Ireland through five mobile apps, the Leap Card payment system, and multi-modal journey planning, serving 1 million+ daily passengers via contracted operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transport Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889), Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Traffic Management & Intelligent Transportation Systems (Signals, TMCs, Congestion) (BPAIALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Contract & Tariff Management (Carrier Contracts, Accessorials, Lane/Zone Rates) (TLAEAIAB)

Keywords

• Public transport services
• Journey planning
• Contactless ticketing
• Multi-modal transport
• Smart card fare payment

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Services: Transport for Ireland does not directly generate revenue. The National Transport Authority (NTA) funds public transport services through Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts with operators. Revenue is generated through fares collected by transport operators (Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland) who then remit portions to the NTA under contractual arrangements.
2. TFI Leap Card Revenue: The TFI Leap Card smart card system processes fare payments across multiple transport operators. The system supports various card types including Adult, Young Adult (19-25), Student, and Child (5-8) with savings up to 50% for eligible users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Transport for Ireland is the unified consumer-facing brand of the National Transport Authority, providing multi-modal public transport information, journey planning, and integrated ticketing across Ireland. Its core offering is the transportforireland.ie portal and a suite of mobile apps (TFI Live, TFI Leap Top-Up, TFI Go, TFI Driver Check, TFI Anseo) plus the TFI Leap Card contactless payment system, coordinating bus, rail, tram, taxi, and bicycle services delivered through contracted operators.

Product overview

Transport for Ireland (TFI) is a unified public transport information and service portal operated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) of Ireland. The offering spans a central website (transportforireland.ie) providing journey planning, live departures, timetables, network maps, and fare information; a suite of mobile applications (TFI Live, TFI Leap Top-Up, TFI Driver Check, TFI Go, TFI Anseo); the TFI Leap Card contactless payment system including the TFI 90-Minute Fare; TFI Local Link rural bus services; the BusConnects Dublin network redesign programme; TFI Bikes bikeshare; the Free Travel Scheme concession; and utility tools such as the Taxi Fare Estimator and WAV Register. The TFI Live and TFI Journey Planner serve as the primary journey planning hubs, with the Leap Card ecosystem and supporting apps handling ticketing and payment. TFI Local Link extends coverage to rural areas, while BusConnects represents a multi-phase expansion and redesign of Dublin's bus network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TFI Leap Card: Integrated ticketing card for public transport across Ireland, offering discounts and 90-minute fare options.
• TFI Live
• TFI Go
• TFI Anseo
• TFI Driver Check
• TFI Local Link
• BusConnects

Products and services

• Transport for Ireland Website Central public-facing web portal of Transport for Ireland (TFI) providing journey planning, live departures, timetables, network maps, fare information, service updates, and app downloads across Ireland's public transport network. Intended for the general public, commuters, and visitors.
• TFI Live App Mobile app enabling users to plan journeys and access real-time live departure information for bus, train, and tram services on the TFI network. Available free on iOS and Android for commuters and travellers.
• TFI Leap Top-Up App Mobile app allowing users to instantly top up their TFI Leap Card, check balances, collect tickets, and monitor progress toward daily and weekly fare cap values. For Leap Card holders across Ireland.
• TFI Driver Check App Mobile app enabling passengers to confirm that a taxi driver and vehicle hold the appropriate licences before commencing a journey. For taxi users in Ireland seeking safety verification.
• TFI Go App Mobile app enabling users to buy and use tickets for public transport services in Ireland directly from their phone. For occasional riders and tourists who prefer not to use the Leap Card.
• TFI Anseo App Smart demand-responsive transport service app operating in Achill, Killarney, and north-east Limerick city, allowing users to request on-demand bus services within designated areas. For rural residents without fixed-route service.
• TFI Leap Card Contactless smart card payment system accepted across the TFI network, offering discounted fares and a 90-minute transfer window. Available in variants for adults, young adults (19-25), students, and children (5-8). Saves up to 30% for adults and up to 50% for young adults/students.
• TFI Journey Planner Online journey planning tool enabling users to search routes, view live departures, and obtain door-to-door travel directions across all TFI transport modes including bus, train, tram, and taxi. For commuters, visitors, and the general public.
• TFI Local Link Rural public transport brand providing low-cost local bus services nationwide in areas where other services are limited, operating under the TFI umbrella alongside city bus, rail, and tram services. For rural residents and communities.
• Taxi Fare Estimator Online tool allowing users to estimate taxi fares before their journey, accessible through the TFI website. For taxi users wanting fare transparency.
• BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign Multi-phase programme restructuring Dublin's bus network, introducing new routes (spines and orbitals), increasing service frequency, and expanding cross-city connectivity under the TFI brand. For Dublin commuters and bus passengers.
• TFI Bikes Bikeshare programme integrated with the TFI network, allowing users to hire bicycles at various locations across Ireland. For short-distance urban and tourist travel.
• TFI 90-Minute Fare Integrated ticketing product allowing passengers to travel across Dublin for 90 minutes using multiple transport modes (bus, Luas, train) for a single capped fare of €2 for adults, €1 for young adults/students, and €0.65 for children.
• Free Travel Scheme Concessionary travel scheme for eligible passengers (seniors, persons with disabilities, and qualifying categories) providing free travel on TFI bus, train, and tram services.
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Register Public register enabling users to locate and verify wheelchair-accessible taxi vehicles and drivers operating on the TFI network. For passengers with mobility needs.
• Network Maps Collection of maps covering all TFI transport modes — city bus, town bus, regional bus, train, Luas tram, and TFI Local Link — as well as themed maps such as the Wild Atlantic Way tourism corridor. For travellers and planners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million+ passenger journeys per day across the TFI network
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mount Congreve Gardens and Waterford TreasuresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Summer pilot initiative launching June 27, 2026 adding a new bus stop on Route 667 serving Mount Congreve Gardens. TFI Local Link Waterford provides the service while Mount Congreve offers discounted admission (€12 adults, €10 seniors) to visitors with valid bus tickets. The partnership aims to improve accessibility to the popular attraction and encourage sustainable leisure travel.
• TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny WicklowcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Link office providing rural public transport services across Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wicklow. Operates TFI Routes 881, 882, and 800A (formerly WW10) with expanded timetables and seven-day services as of June 2026 following withdrawal of Bernard Kavanagh and Sons services.
• Marathon CoachesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShuttle coach operator providing transport services for major events including Marlay Park concerts and Live at the Docklands Limerick. Services include Park & Ride from Dundrum, city centre shuttles, and Luas station connections. Tickets sold per car and number of persons.
• IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerArt in Motion partnership bringing art installations to Dublin's public transport users' journeys, enhancing the travel experience.
• UNI (Union of Students in Ireland)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the Staff Respect campaign, promoting courtesy and respect for public transport workers across the TFI network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore: Statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Transport planning, developing, and regulating land transport including MRT, LRT, buses, and point-to-point services. Comparable to TFI as a national-level transport authority that procures services, sets fare policy, and operates digital journey planning.
• Transport for NSW: New South Wales state government transport authority coordinating multi-modal services (train, bus, ferry, light rail, metro) through contracted operators under a single brand. Operates Opal integrated ticketing — directly analogous to Leap Card and TFI's brand-led coordination model.
• Transport for London (TfL): UK statutory body responsible for delivering an integrated multi-modal transport network across Greater London, including tube, bus, tram, Overground, and cycling. Closely comparable to TFI in coordinating multiple operators under a single integrated brand with unified ticketing (Oyster), journey planning apps, and national-level public transport policy execution.
• Translink (Northern Ireland): Public corporation operating integrated bus and rail services across Northern Ireland under a single brand. Closest geographic peer to TFI, with similar scale, multi-modal coordination, and small-market integrated transport mandate.
• Metrolinx: Ontario provincial agency delivering integrated regional transit across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including GO Transit, PRESTO integrated ticketing, and major light-rail construction (Eglinton Crosstown, Finch West). Closely matches TFI's combination of operational coordination, integrated fare media (PRESTO/Leap), and large multi-programme capital pipeline.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM): Statutory body responsible for transport strategy and delivery across Greater Manchester, coordinating bus franchising, Metrolink tram, and rail integration. Comparable to TFI in executing Bee Network-style bus reform and integrated multi-modal ticketing at metropolitan scale.

Emerging players

• Citymapper: Multi-modal journey planning app combining public transport, ride-hail, bike, and walking in major cities. Comparable to TFI Live in consumer-facing journey planning functionality, though it is a private app that aggregates public data rather than an authority-owned platform.
• Moovit: Mobility-as-a-Service company providing multi-modal journey planning and real-time data across thousands of transit agencies globally. Comparable to TFI Live as a third-party alternative that agencies and operators license; however Moovit does not own fare media or coordinate operators the way TFI does.

Broad incumbents

• SBB CFF FFS (Swiss Federal Railways): National state-owned rail operator and integrated mobility provider, with strong intermodal ticketing and dense network coverage. Comparable to TFI in the integrated ticketing and customer experience model, though SBB directly operates rail rather than coordinating via PSO contracts.
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York: Public-benefit corporation operating New York City subway, buses, and commuter rail under a single brand with OMNY integrated ticketing. Comparable to TFI in scale of multi-modal coordination, but substantially larger in capital base, ridership, and infrastructure programmes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TFIupdates
• Facebookfacebook.com/TransportforIreland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dublin-transportation-office

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Transport for Ireland