Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Murphy for coming before the committee and I thank him for serving on the board of Bus Éireann since April 2013. With regard to feedback, I never had a complaint about the Expressway service. It is an efficient service and I have used it. It is welcome that further investment will be made in the service. Are there plans to utilise smart technology to inform customers or attract more customers to the services? A high percentage of people use smartphones and it would be beneficial to do so. Wi-Fi is available on the Expressway service. Using an app to inform customers about pick-ups, drop-offs and cost helps to attract more customers. Comfort and the adequacy of the service is also important.

I refer to the PSO service. There are major challenges for Bus Éireann and nationally as regards our public transport service. Public buses in our cities have been heavily subsidised, which is also the case internationally where public transport is provided in cities. There is a global subsidy. Perhaps Mr. Murphy can explain how we compare with other cities internationally.

I come from Waterford, some of whose services are run by private operators and are not subsidised. There is controversy with the rest of the services in Waterford city being put out to tender as part of the 10% put out to tender by the NTA. Is Mr. Murphy confident that Bus Éireann can compete for the services when they are put out to tender in 2016? Are there challenges he envisages in trying to win the services?

I do not hear concerns from the public, as the public only wants an efficient public transport service. It is not a major concern of the public who provides the service. There is loyalty to Bus Éireann and I would like to see the company compete. I would like to hear the views of Mr. Murphy on this point.