FG: Bus plan stifles competition

Proposed new laws designed to open up the bus market to private companies actually stifles competition, Fine Gael claimed today.

The party said routes run by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann were protected for up to seven years under the Government’s Public Transport Regulation Bill, pushing out other operators.

Fine Gael unveiled plans to put bundles of routes across the country out to tender, as well as introducing integrated ticketing and park-and-ride facilities.

Fergus O’Dowd, Fine Gael transport spokesman, said the alternative proposals would ensure a more efficient and passenger-friendly public transport system.

“We’re talking about real competition in the market,” he said.

“More routes for people who wish to travel on them, and we’re talking about reduced costs and making it more efficient and having more competition.

“(Transport) Minister (Noel) Dempsey’s own proposals in the Public Transport Regulation Bill will simply protect the status quo by ruling out any meaningful competition to Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus for the next seven years.”

Mr O’Dowd said the Public Transport Regulation Bill, which aims to end the near 77-year monopoly by CIE companies, was being rushed through the Dáil.

The legislation aims to provide common regulations for public and private bus operators for the first time.

But Fine Gael claims the bill will continue to stifle competition on routes operated by the State-subsidised company for up to seven years.

Its alternative plans state:

:: Winning operators must sign a five-year contract with a new body, the Irish Transport Authority, to lay out standards such as frequency, costs, reliability and cleanliness.

:: State-owned bus stations and depots would be available for use by companies which won contracts.

:: ITA would develop park-and-ride facilities.

:: Integrated ticketing would be developed and rolled-out.