[wire] NI public transport opened to private firms
 

from Unison.ie
NI public transport services to be opened to private firms
11:07 Tuesday August 22nd 2006

The British Government has announced plans to give private firms greater opportunities to provide public transport services in the North.
Announcing the move today, local minister David Cairns said he was not proposing the type of deregulation and privatisation that has happened in the rest of the UK.

He said Translink would remain the main provider of bus and rail services in the North, but it would also become easier for private companies to get involved in public transport.

He said a new Passenger Transport Authority would be set up to oversee bus and rail services and secure their provision from Translink and its private competitors.