asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will allow private bus operators to enter into open competition with CIE services and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Bus Operators.
3.
In the consideration of any application for a licence to carry on a road passenger service under the Road Transport Act, 1932, I must have regard to the existing service available to the public on or near the route of the proposed service. In general the practice is not to grant a licence for a scheduled service where the route is already served by an existing operator.
I am aware of the suggestion in recent reports on transport about the possibility of some increase in the role of private bus operators in the operation of scheduled services. This is a matter which will be considered in the context of the review of transport policy which is at present in hand by my Department.
The Minister in his reply referred to recent reports such as that of Professor Foster who recommends that private bus operators be given a say in the provision of these services. Is the Minister aware that the National Prices Commission have also recommended that private bus operators be given a greater role in the provision of public transport?
CIE have a duty and a responsibility to provide services whether they are economic or uneconomic. The role of private bus operators has been mentioned in recent reports and in the other areas to which the Deputy has referred. I have said already that I shall not exclude any options in the present review of policy. I remind the Deputy that the private operators, numbering about 30, in various areas throughout the country are given the same protection as CIE are given when it comes to licences for new scheduled services. There is no huge demand for the private bus operators to take on scheduled services. They would provide a service on an economic and very profitable route. In general terms that is my information at the moment.
May I contradict the Minister's statement? These people would be very definitely interested in taking on scheduled routes. Would the Minister take this matter up with their association, which has been lobbying for this facility?
I remind the Deputy that I met this association within the last two days and had a long and fruitful discussion with them. In the constituency next to him I granted a licence to private operator in Wexford and in a very short time he handed it back and said it was totally unworkable.
Many of these people are looking for an extension and cannot get it.