in response to the inquiry report, busways defended its actions in launching free services as being intended to prevent united gaining a monopoly in darlington after the collapse of dtc, and only expected to run free buses until the traffic commissioner could bring forward its registrations. it denied poaching dtc's drivers highlighting that the drivers had instigated contact with busways first, when it became clear busways would not be purchasing dtc. it contended it had always intended to enter the darlington market through purchase of dtc if an appropriate price was agreed, to preserve goodwill and prevent a driver shortage of their already intended entrance. it also contended that yorkshire traction's bid was unrealistic given the market, and contended that its price indicated that yorkshire traction anticipated being the only eventual operator in darlington, thereby possibly acting as an agent for united. it contended that yorkshire traction's attempts to reduce its bid while still only aware of stagecoach's initial small registration, supported this belief.