20% bus fare reduction should be extended in Budget to nationwide services urges CTTC

The Government has been urged to extend the 20% fare reduction to all commercial bus operators in order to benefit all passengers irrespective of where they reside, by the Commercial Transport and Tourism Council (CTTC).

The association contends this is an important cost-of-living measure that will help hard pressed families at this time.  

Currently 20% fare reductions apply to Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Irish Rail, they say. A significant demographic primarily residing outside the greater Dublin area, currently finds itself excluded from the 20% bus fare reduction scheme. The CTTC says this pressing concern demands immediate attention.  

The CTTC says commercial bus operators provide a broad spectrum of routes, including those in rural and less densely populated regions where PSO state companies often do not provide service. The exclusion from fare reduction schemes disproportionately impacts passengers in these areas, for whom commercial bus operators are a lifeline. 

The CTTC has taken up the cause of passengers in order to rectify the fare disparity between Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs) and state companies. Since the inception of the fare reduction scheme for public operators in last year's budget, designed to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, this inequality has been a growing concern for the CTTC, the operators it represents and passengers. 

Chair of the CTTC William Martin said: “Commercial bus operators play an integral role in the public transport network, serving both urban and rural communities. However, they face an uphill battle due to the advantages enjoyed by PSO state companies, which receive government subsidies which enables them to offer 20% lower fares. This competitive imbalance, a direct consequence of government policy, has created an uneven playing field within the industry, making it challenging for commercial bus operators to remain viable. Many operators have been forced to relinquish previously profitable routes, impacting the customers who depend on their services. 

“While PSO services have rebounded to pre-Covid levels with fare reductions and the introduction of the young adult and student card playing a significant role, CBOs continue to lag behind, with ridership at just 61% of pre-Covid levels. This can be attributed largely to the substantial competitive disadvantage they face on routes offering heavily discounted fares. 

“The CTTC contends that the long-term potential damage to Ireland's bus network outweighs the modest cost of including commercial bus operators in the 20% fare reduction scheme. The financial repercussions of a diminished commercial bus network and the environmental consequences of a mass return to private vehicles in disenfranchised rural communities far exceed the investment required for inclusion”.