Ms Fiona Ross:

While it might be easy to say at this point that my focus would be helping to resolve the pension issue, I agree that it has been a long-running and challenging matter for the organisation. We have a couple of things in our favour. We have buoyant economy, which means that additional funds are available for investment in the public transport system, and we should take advantage of that. The Government is making some great investment in improving the infrastructure, which allows us to have a better and more profitable service. That will certainly help with financial sustainability.

From briefings I have received, I understand some good progress has been made on the pension issue in recent weeks - even since the meeting in March. I am very hopeful. The only way forward is through considerable communication, collaboration and meetings. We need to get all the relevant stakeholders in a room to work it through. There may be a greater sense of urgency on it, certainly in relation to the meeting in March. I would like to proceed on the basis that time may be of the essence and to move forward from there.