A PRIVATE bus company has taken High Court proceedings against the Minister for Transport over a decision allowing Dublin Bus to change a route between Swords and Dublin airport with the alleged effect of threatening the private company’s business.
Swords Express claims the Minister’s decision is unlawful and allows unfair competition by Dublin Bus.
Dublin Bus is a notice party to the action by Digital Messenger Limited, trading as Swords Express, of Lower Grand Canal Street, Dublin, against the Minister.
The case was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill yesterday but will not be heard until the autumn. Counsel for both the Minister and Dublin Bus asked for time to submit opposition papers and the judge said he would allow until the end of August.
Frank Callanan SC, for Swords Express, said the case was of some commercial urgency for the company which contends the Minister has unlawfully or purportedly permitted the alteration of an existing route. He said it had not sought an injunction but hoped to have the matter heard early next term.
The case is aimed at overturning a decision of the Minister for Transport allowing Dublin Bus alter its route from Swords to Dublin – the 41X route – to permit the route pass through the Port Tunnel.
Swords Express claims Dublin Bus is in receipt of a State subsidy and can afford to transport passengers at a lower fare than other licensed operators.