Privatised Bus Routes 'Undermines Public Transport' - FF

The government's proposal to privatise bus routes "undermines the principle of publicly funded, publicly owned and operated public transport", Fianna Fáil Spokesperson in Transport, Timmy Dooley, said.

Deputy Dooley said Fianna Fáil was opposed to the sell-off of bus routes to private operators and is calling on the Government to halt the process.

"There is a fundamental question here about whether we want a publicly owned and operated public transport system or do we want to begin dismantling it?" Deputy Dooley said.

"If we are now moving sections of the existing public bus network into private hands, there are two reasons - we have given up on the principle of publicly owned public transport and we believe it is acceptable to undermine the terms and conditions of existing transport workers.

"The Government should be honest with the public about what the real agenda here is and have the courage to make their case for privatisation. For our part, Fianna Fáil opposes both these agendas and remain committed to the core principle of a publicly owned, fully integrated public transport system."

(MH/CD)