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What is the "Transport Users Group"?

I have to agree with GNR that the integrated ticketing is a red herring. It is an issue from an end user perspective, but the fundamental problem is the licensing process.

Mortons/Circle Line had a very good operation, serving a niche market. They were aware of the setup regarding fares and DB operations along the Lucan QBC before they expanded to an all day operation, which would be in competition with DB, and therefore knew the risks involved. From the outset there was very poor information about the service, even allowing for the period when they reduced their services without getting approval from the Department to do so and were refused permission to advertise the reduced service. To then claim that they could not compete with DB is frankly a nonsense. The DB services have remained unchanged in the entire period of Circle Line's enhanced service.

At the end of the day, urban public transport should be all about getting people from A to B, and not about operators competing with one another. The original Mortons operation was a quality product, but I remain very skeptical about the motives behind the expansion, given that everyone involved knew the setup within which the service would operate. Until the bus licensing laws are revised, the manner in which the city services are being licensed is not conducive to any private operations, except longer distance express services, where they are not competing with state subsidised services. We as taxpayers are entitled to the latter, and to be stuck with a situation where an enhanced DB service is not permitted because that route intersects (even for one mile) with a private operator is frankly crazy.

Let's be clear about this, Circle Line was operated to make its owners a profit, which would explain the lack of any late evening or weekend services, and not to provide an essential service. DB have a remit to provide a public transport service, that, where necessary, is subsidised by the state. While there may be opportunities for private operators, the basis of a public transport service should be that it is essential and that people are entitled to it, rather than have a service removed because an operator chooses to stop it.

Integrated ticketing forms part of the argument, but it is a very small part. The principal issue is how the network of public transport services is designed and licensed. It does no one any favours, least of all the customer, to have the current setup perpetuated.