Minister confirms CIE to be abolished

It has been officially announced that CIE is being abolished as part of a massive restructuring of the State's transport system.

The Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan has also confirmed that private operators are to be brought into compete for bus routes in Dublin.

Making the announcement, Minister Brennan said competition was the best way to improve bus and rail services.

CIE will now be abolished with three independent state companies established, Bus Atha Cliath, Bus Eireann and Iarnrod Eireann.

Each company will be given independent fare regulation and commercial freedom to compete with each other.

In Dublin, 25% of the market will be opened up to competition at the beginning of 2004.

This means independent bus operators will be able to move in on the market, but existing bus routes will be protected.