Private bus operators claim they could save State up to €30m a year

Private bus operators claim they could save the State up to €30m per annum if they were allowed to tender for 350 subsidised bus routes currently operated by Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.

The Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC) called for the system of awarding public service obligation (PSO) routes to be opened up to bids from private bus firms when the current contracts come up for renewal in 2014.

CTTC chief executive Gerry Mullins said the Competition Authority had already claimed the current monopoly held by Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus for PSO routes provided no incentive to lower costs and improve the quality of such services.