Senator calls for supports for private bus market

PD senator Tom Morrissey has called on the Government to implement measures to boost private involvement in the bus market.

Sen. Morrissey was responding to a report claiming private operators are being restricted from competing with CIE due to bureaucracy and the effect of govt subsidies to the state-owned transport firm.

The report was commissioned by the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, an umbrella group of private bus companies.

"Private operators can introduce competition to the market and give a better service to customers and force down prices," Sen Morrissey said.

"I can't see why at this point in time given that it is Government policy to introduce competition to the bus market why after three years of Govt that there is still a delay in this area."