Mr. Gareth Quinn:

Regarding universal buses, we have a robust relationship with the authority. If any route throughout the whole network requires extra or double resources at certain peak times due to capacity, we raise the issue and make a business case. The authority has been very forthcoming in covering that and we have universals throughout our network. All eight garages have operating universals that the authority paid for. I cannot speak to what a rep or whomever said, but I disagree with that point.

Regarding the schedule, the customer always comes first, no matter what. It is an easy take to say that we will leave people on the side of the road and we do not care. However, we do care. I think I speak for us all. We have heard it from minute one of this meeting. None of us want to leave anybody on the side of the road - absolutely not. Decisions are made and people have to make decisions on the basis of what is best for the majority of customers.

I am a commuter. I live in Corduff, so I get the 38 and know it well. As a commuter, I understand what goes on and what it is like on the side of the road when things happen. However, I am telling the Deputy that the customer comes first. Decisions are made for the betterment of everybody throughout the day. He can understand that if there is a problem at 11 a.m., those buses are out until 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and you need to get them on time. It is easy to say that we will stick buses in because the authority states there has to be a ten-minute service. We cover the gaps for the betterment of the customer. Decisions are made at the time.