Transport minister Seamas Brennan has decided to privatise 25% of national Bus Eireann routes.
In a significant development, the Minister is planning to bring in legislation which will effectively extend his policy of franchising routes, which he announced last year for the Dublin area.
Brennan said: 'In 2004, the market will be opened up nationally by 25% for franchises. We will be talking to unions. However, my policy is not changing,' The Irish Independent reports.
The paper reports the that the process will ensure that private operators cannot cherry pick profitable routes. Instead companies will be offered cash-generative lines along with less lucrative routes as a package.
