Bus stations at heart of commission competition probe

Bus stations and bus shelters built with state funds for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann may be forced to allow their competitors to use the facilities also.

The European Commission is investigating a complaint from the Irish Coach Tourism and Transport Council first lodged seven years ago complaining that state money going to CIÉ was unfair state aid.

Access to bus stations by private companies forms part of the investigation, competition commissioner Joaquim Almunia told Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins.