Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As far as I know, there is no reduction in revenue to Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus because they have expanded their services. What is happening in the bus and public transport market is quite exciting. It should not be knocked. We should welcome the fact that outside companies want to tender for these routes because, as members are aware, the passenger numbers are increasing very quickly as a result of a boom in the economy. As a result of that, everybody is benefiting. It would be wrong to say that it is damaging to Dublin Bus. It is currently expanding its services because of the increase in passenger numbers. There is room for the incumbents.

The great beneficiaries here, hopefully, will be the passengers and there is evidence of this. Those are the people who we want to see benefit. The introduction of new operators has benefitted the passengers. It has not created any unemployment. At present, the expansion in the demand for public transport services is being filled successfully both by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and by outsiders, and this competition is working.