NTA Criticized Over Failed €50 Million Irish Rail Traffic Management System
The NTA was criticized by Oireachtas members for a failed €50 million rail traffic management system, leading to Irish Rail recommending contract termination with Indra. The system faced delays and budget overruns. The NTA also cannot add new bus services in 2026 due to funding issues, despite high demand and successful existing services.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) faced Oireachtas criticism for abandoning a €50 million rail traffic management system. Irish Rail recommended terminating its contract with Spanish company Indra for the delayed IT system, which was supposed to be operational two years ago but experienced significant delays and budget overruns.
Irish Rail«s board wrote down €50 million of its investment in a new national train control centre last month, largely due to spending on this system. NTA chief executive Anne Shaw acknowledged the public money spent on a non-working system, while Hugh Creegan, NTA director of transport and planning, noted Indra had not delivered on the contract for years.
The NTA also faced criticism for stating it cannot add new bus services in 2026 due to funding constraints, despite increasing demand. Shaw cited rising costs from inflation and congestion. The NTA is working with the Department of Transport to maintain existing services and is implementing new phases of BusConnects in Dublin and Cork, aiming to increase capacity on high-demand routes. TFI Local Link recorded nearly seven million journeys, and town bus services carried 1.2 million passengers in 2026, with over 90 percent satisfaction, yet demand still exceeds supply.