A five-year vision for sustainable transport
Earlier this year, we published the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Statement of Strategy 2026-2030, writes Anne Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, NTA.
This document sets out our ambitions for the next five years and reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable transport for communities across Ireland. As CEO, I am proud to lead the organisation at what is a pivotal moment for transport in this country; one defined by opportunity, investment, and the need to deliver real change.
Reflecting on our previous strategy, we have made significant progress in both services and infrastructure. That progress gives me great confidence that we can not only maintain momentum, but accelerate the pace of delivery in the years ahead.
Across the State, we are already seeing tangible results including the continued rollout of the BusConnects Dublin network redesign as well as breaking ground on the construction of our BusConnects core bus corridors, along with the development of redesigned bus networks for Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.
We have also expanded transport options for rural communities through the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, introducing and enhancing hundreds of routes to better connect towns and villages. This work is critical in ensuring that people, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable public transport.
At the same time, investment in active travel has increased at an unprecedented scale. Across Ireland, new walking and cycling routes are transforming communities; improving safety, supporting healthier lifestyles, and providing viable alternatives to car travel. From safer routes to schools to expanded greenways, these investments are reshaping how people move through their environments.
We are also making substantial progress on rail, particularly through the DART+ Programme, which will bring electrified rail services to communities in Kildare, Meath, Louth, and north Dublin. These projects are essential in building a modern, integrated transport system capable of meeting future demand.
Looking ahead, our new strategy sets out a clear mission: to connect Ireland’s people and places by providing accessible, high-quality, sustainable transport infrastructure and services. In doing so, we aim to support vibrant, climate-resilient communities, a healthy environment, balanced regional development, and a strong economy.
“Over the next five years, our focus will centre on improving the customer experience.”
Our Statement of Strategy reflects a deep commitment, not only to infrastructure delivery, but to inclusion, innovation, and organisational excellence.
Over the next five years, our focus will centre on improving the customer experience, advancing our climate and environmental goals, expanding public transport capacity, strengthening regulation and safety, and continuing to deliver critical infrastructure projects.
We are equally committed to deeper engagement with communities and stakeholders, supported by evidence-based decision-making and a high-performing workforce.
As CEO, it is a privilege to lead the NTA in delivering on this mission. Transport is not just about moving people, it is about connecting individuals to opportunity, enabling businesses to thrive, and shaping how communities grow. A well-functioning transport system underpins economic development, enhances social inclusion, and improves overall quality of life.
We know that accessibility is central to this. For many people, public transport is the only option available. That is why we are focused not only on expanding services, but also on improving their quality; making them more reliable, more integrated, and more attractive to a broader range of users. Reliability, punctuality, and seamless connections are key priorities.
Accessibility also means ensuring that our system works for everyone. We are embedding universal design principles across our infrastructure and services, removing physical, sensory, and digital barriers wherever possible.
We are working closely with disability advocacy groups, investing in staff training, and adopting inclusive technologies to ensure that transport is safe, equitable, and welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.
Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do. As we deliver our mandate, we are balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations to ensure that progress is both meaningful and responsible. The transport sector has a critical role to play in reducing carbon emissions, and we are fully committed to supporting Ireland’s climate targets.
Under national policy, we aim to halve transport emissions by 2030. Achieving this will require a significant shift towards sustainable modes of transport; walking, cycling, and public transport. Our goal is for these modes to account for 50 per cent of all journeys by the end of the decade, and we are making steady progress toward that target.
We are already investing approximately €1 million per day in active travel infrastructure, supporting strategic pedestrian and cycling routes across the country. These investments not only reduce emissions, but also improve public health and enhance the liveability of our towns and cities.
At the same time, we are working to decarbonise public transport through fleet electrification. By 2035, we aim to transition the urban bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles, while also introducing new electric train fleets as part of the DART+ programme. These changes will deliver cleaner air, quieter streets, and a more sustainable transport network overall.
However, addressing climate change is not just about mitigation, it is also about resilience. We are actively working to ensure that our infrastructure can withstand the impacts of climate change, protecting our investment and maintaining service reliability into the future.
In collaboration with colleagues across the public, private and community sectors under the Department of Transport’s Moving Together strategy, we will work to find innovative ways of supporting more efficiency and less congestion across the transport system.
That strategy has been developed to support, guide, and enable all stakeholders to contribute to systems change in a coherent, evidence-based manner. Its objective is not only to reduce carbon emissions from transport over the medium to long term, but to help alleviate the more immediate issues of congestion, road safety, and air quality.
Innovation will also be critical in the years ahead. We are exploring the potential of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance productivity, improve service delivery, and support better decision-making. While the opportunities are significant, we are equally mindful of the need for responsible use, strong data protection, and robust ethical standards.
The NTA has grown significantly in recent years, and as we continue to expand our remit, it is vital that we maintain a culture grounded in inclusivity, collaboration, and public service. Our people are at the heart of our success. They are ambitious for public transport, ambitious for Ireland, and passionate about delivering outcomes that benefit communities.
The scale of ambition is reflected in the National Development Plan for 2026-2035, which commits unprecedented funding to infrastructure, including more than \12 billion for public transport and \1.8 billion for active travel. This level of investment provides a unique opportunity to deliver meaningful, long-lasting change. That change is badly needed.
In 2025 alone, demand for public transport reached record levels, with more than 364 million passenger journeys taken on public service obligation services. On average, one million journeys were made each day, a clear sign that people are increasingly choosing sustainable transport.
This growth has been supported by both service improvements and fare initiatives, including the continuation of reduced fares and the introduction of expanded free travel for children. These measures have made public transport more accessible and affordable, helping to ease the cost of living for many households.
We have also made significant progress on major infrastructure projects. Planning approvals for MetroLink, DART+ Coastal North, Luas Finglas, and all core bus corridors represent important milestones, bringing us closer to delivery. While challenges remain, including the complexity of planning processes, we are working proactively with government and stakeholders to accelerate progress.
Ultimately, our success will depend on collaboration. We work closely with partners across the public and private sectors, including Transport Infrastructure Ireland, local authorities, transport operators, and community organisations. Together, we are building a transport system that meets the needs of a growing and evolving population.
As CEO, I am continually inspired by the dedication of our staff and partners. Their work makes a real difference; helping people access jobs, education, healthcare, along with social and cultural opportunities.
The years ahead will be exciting and challenging and full of promise. With sustained investment, clear policy direction, and a shared commitment to delivery, we have the opportunity to transform how people travel in Ireland, leading to better outcomes for people across the country.
I am excited to lead the NTA through this next phase and to work with colleagues, stakeholders, and communities across the country to deliver a transport system that truly connects Ireland; sustainably, efficiently, and inclusively and to each other.
