Mr. Aidan Murphy:

On the question of savings from fuel efficiency, as I said earlier, we are investing in a new fleet and during the procurement process we looked at the best method consistent with new EU regulations on engines and so on to maximise the efficiency of the vehicles. In addition, we have speed governors fitted to all our vehicles which control speeds and gives us an opportunity to ensure that one cannot drive at excessive speeds.

We have telematics in the vehicles which allow us to see driving patterns. One can use those telematics to see what the best driving patterns are and then start educating drivers about them. That system has been used in other companies in which I have been involved. If two of us go down the road, I guarantee that one of us will operate the vehicle more efficiently. We are very interested in this matter. As the Chairman rightly said, our fuel costs are very high so we will certainly make any savings on them that we can.

We are bound and involved with the NTA on the provision of bus shelters, so we cannot decide to erect a bus stop or shelter any more. They are no longer specific to Bus Éireann, although some of them are specifically Bus Éireann shelters. We have been in dialogue with the NTA about the provision of further bus stops, bus shelters and real-time passenger information. We want to make savings on the one hand, but will continue to work with the NTA on that.

We want to develop app technology so that people can use it in a paperless fashion. That is our objective. Many airlines are now using that technology and we want to get it also. The modern generation uses mobile phones and are not going to bring pieces of paper with them. For that reason, it makes sense to use new technology which is cost effective.