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  • Commercial bus service permits

    Topics:
    • Public transport, 
    • Bus, rail and ferry travel

    To become a bus operator in Northern Ireland you need to have a bus operator licence which is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). If you want to operate a public passenger transport service, you will also need a commercial bus service permit from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

    Service permit system

    The new service permit system started on 5 October 2015 and is one of the outcomes from DfI’s Public Transport Reform proposals:

    • the introduction of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
    • the making of the Public Passenger Transport (Service Agreements and Service Permits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

    This guide will help you to understand what you need to do to obtain a commercial bus service permit in order to operate a public transport passenger service in Northern Ireland who to contact and the details you’ll need to provide.

    Bus services where a permit is required

    The types of service which need a commercial bus service permit are:

    • regular stopping services
    • express services
    • sightseeing services
    • demand responsive services
    • event-specific services
    • taxibus services

    Bus services where a permit is not required

    The types of services which do not need a Commercial Bus Service Permit are:

    • tours
    • private hire services
    • shuttle-bus services
    • closed regular services

    Permit consideration

    DfI will consider any new commercial bus service permit applications according to:

    • the suitability of the route
    • any other ongoing or previous applications
    • how the needs of people likely to use the service are currently catered for
    • the effect that granting a service permit would have on other permit holders or the contracted network
    • the need to ensure fair competition

    Commercial bus service permit documents

    The following documents can be downloaded using the following link:

    • Commercial bus service permit scheme application form
    • Commercial bus service permit guidelines
    • Current list of commercial service permits in Northern Ireland
    • Commercial Bus Service Permit guideline consultation

    For more information contact the commercial bus service permit unit on 028 9054 0470.

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