Ms Anne Graham:

The design of the service is, initially, a desktop exercise. There is no doubt about that. However, that works with input from local authorities, operators and experts in transport when designing the first phase in terms of a network that went out for consultation. That was refined as we got feedback from the 72,000 submissions received. As we got feedback from each of the consultation sessions that we carried out throughout the city, we refined it even more and made the network even more optimal for users. It then gets down to operational checks.

The Deputy is right about the W6 service. There was an issue with buses not being able to safely pass one another on that bridge and consideration was given to splitting the service temporarily until works could be put in place. They will then be joined up. Mr. Ryan will give the Deputy an update on that shortly.

Our desire is not just to draw lines on routes and hope that people will come. We want people to be able to use the service. We want it to be a useful service for customers. We take into account trips to schools, education and shopping locations. We are looking at trying to meet people's local needs, as well as their longer distance needs, through this network. That is what the network is designed to do. There will always be tweaks that will have to be made as we get into actual operations, in particular for a new orbital service. That is what we have been delivering over the past couple of years. We have allowed people to make connections that they were never able to make before, in particular with orbital services.