Press Releases
Dublin Bus launches DBI – Dublin Bus Innovation
19 January 2026
Company announces €60,000 innovation seed funding challenge using ‘your idea could change everything’ slogan
- Minister James Lawless launches Dublin Bus Innovation seed funding challenge
- Dublin Bus Innovation (DBI) is a new phase of change and bold ideas that will enhance customer experience
- 4 pillars of Innovation in the seed funding challenge:
Data & Visualisation, Optimisation, Collaboration, Smart Cities - 4 pots of €15,000 make up the overall fund of €60,000
Dublin Bus today launches Dublin Bus Innovation (DBI) a new initiative designed to accelerate practical innovation across the organisation and improve how public transport works for customers.
As part of Dublin Bus Innovation, the company is seeking to connect with stakeholders, employees and members of the public with fresh and bold ideas through the seed funding challenge.
The seed funding challenge offers a total of €60,000, split equally between four distinct innovation challenges. Applicants with ideas for submission are invited to use the Innovation portal for review by the Innovation Team. If selected, expert guidance, a dedicated team, and up to €15,000 in seed funding per challenge is provided to bring the idea to life.
Dublin Bus is launching this challenge to inspire new and fresh perspectives on what our customers want and need. This challenge will enable Dublin Bus to connect with bold thinkers, creative disruptors and those that simply want to bring about a better way of doing things.
Dublin Bus is inviting the public to take on four distinct innovation challenges:
The first challenge is Data & Visualisation. The company carried 165 million customers in 2025. This leads to a huge amount of data. Dublin Bus sees real scope in innovating how this data is stored, analysed and utilised.
The second challenge is Optimisation. Dublin Bus operates a fleet of 1,100 buses working out of nine depots. Innovative solutions on process efficiencies, cost optimisation and project management tracking will support Dublin Bus in evolving for the future.
The third challenge is Collaboration. Last year alone, customer numbers grew by 6 million. Enhancing these customer interactions will lead to a better, more involved experience for the customer. Dublin Bus is seeking innovative ways to improve engagement with the customer.
The fourth challenge is Smart Cities. Dublin Bus wants public transport to be central to Dublin’s future as a smart, connected, and integrated city. This challenge is supported by Smart Dublin. Ideas should lean on opportunities that enable Dublin to become a city of future mobility as outlined in the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan 2023.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister James Lawless TD, said ‘as Ireland’s largest public transport provider, I greatly admire Dublin Bus’ ambition to keep moving forward and actively shape the future of transport and mobility. Dublin Bus Innovation shows a strong commitment to putting customers first and embracing new ideas. By inviting collaboration from employees, stakeholders, and the public, this initiative has the potential to unlock practical solutions, enhance everyday journeys, and help build a smarter, more connected city for everyone.’
Dublin Bus CEO, Billy Hann, said that ‘running a company like Dublin Bus in a growing city requires constant adaptation. Dublin Bus Innovation is about strengthening our ability to solve problems, work with others and apply new thinking at pace. It is a practical step in ensuring public transport continues to meet the needs of Dublin as the city evolves.’
Speaking at the launch event, Dr John McCarthy, Director Innovation and Technical Services at Dublin Bus, said that ‘we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to deliver for the people that live and work in Dublin in line with our long term strategy, ‘Evolving for Tomorrow’. This means that we forensically examine our practices, and seek out bold new ways of operating our bus network. The four key pillars of this innovation fund highlight the path that we must take; one of change that works for Dublin.’