Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

It would be if it were true but it is not. We are going to double the number of routes with a frequency of ten minutes or better. This is a considerable improvement. Some 60% of customers will be carried on high-frequency routes, these being the ten-minute routes in each direction. With the extra buses, some 23% are currently being carried.

It is difficult for people to imagine that things can be done more efficiently and effectively. In this country, we are slow to change and we like to stay with the tried and trusted. However, this system will be better. The aim is to ensure that, on average, no customer will be more than 300 metres from a bus stop. This is due to the way in which the routes will be laid out.

These are not just cutbacks dressed up. They comprise a genuine effort to provide good value for the taxpayer because the PSO money is tighter than it was. We cannot ask people to pay increased fares and we cannot subsidise an inefficient service. We want to make it more efficient. According to Deloitte, the estimated savings on the first corridor referred to by the Deputy will be as much as €3 million. There are 14 corridors around the city and one would not save up to €3 million on each, but one could certainly save some money. This would stay with Dublin Bus to provide an enhanced service.

In fairness to them, management and unions at Bus Átha Cliath did everything they could to try to provide an effective service once the decision was made. They believe that Deloitte's estimate on the Finglas route is slightly on the high side but they are confident they can save approximately €2.5 million on that route through the types of action we are discussing while simultaneously improving the service. It is win-win for everyone.

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