Vol. 575 No. 5
158 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his meeting of 21 November 2003 with officials of Transport for London regarding bus regulation; the principal points of the advice received; the impact of this advice on his plans for the Dublin bus market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28805/03]
Officials from my Department and I met officials from Transport for London on 21 November. Our discussions ranged over a wide number of public transport issues. The officials from Transport for London outlined the significant success of the bus transport system in London. The discussions reaffirmed my view, based on previous discussions with Transport for London and a number of independent reports on the procurement and regulation of urban bus services, that franchising represents the most appropriate mechanism for the future regulation of the bus market in Dublin. I intend to proceed with legislation in this regard in 2004.
