76 | REPORT
State of passenger transport nation highlighted at CTTC AGM
The Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC), held its annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Grand Hotel Malahide in North Dublin last month. This was the first physical meeting the association held since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The AGM also saw the election of two new members to the Executive Council of the organisation.
John Halpenny, Chairperson, CTTC
Hosted by John Halpenny, Chairman of the CTTC, the well-attended meeting heard from a number of members from around the country, who highlighted the importance of Government supports over the past two years which have helped to keep operators in business. However, many expressed reservations around the two-tier transport system evolving in Ireland with particular concerns around the failure of Government to extend the 20% fare reduction and the Youth Travel Card to the commercial bus sector. Delegates also advocated for supports to help combat the impact of surging fuel prices which are adversely affecting all members but particularly school transport operators which are locked FLEETBUS&COACH | Spring 2022
into contracts of up to five years at a time. Other issues raised include the unsuitability of the current PSV regime, and the need for funding support for the purchase of Electric Vehicles (EV) fleets. The AGM also facilitated the election of Damien Long, Proprietor of Dave Long Coach Travel (Cork) and Garrett O’Toole, General Manager of Nolan Transport (Dublin) to the Executive Council of the organisation. Stepping down from the Executive Council to make way for the new Newly elected Executive Council officers, members was well-regarded operator, Garett O’Toole and Damien Long. Derry Cronin of Cronin Coaches (Cork). The Executive Council would like to future direction of the association and acknowledge the endless dedication while we are sorry to see Derry Cronin and support provided by Derry over the of Cronin Coaches step down, on behalf recent past. The Council of the CTTC of the association we would like to wishes them good luck with their future thank him and his father, Dermot for the endeavours. enormous contribution they have made John Halpenny who continues in over the years.” his position as Chairman until February “I am very proud to continue in 2023 said: “It was great to meet old my role as Chairperson for another friends and new at our AGM and to get year. My vision for the sector is for a to share the experiences of the past 24 sustainable, progressive, and collaboramonths with each-other as we prepare tive association that is a trusted advisor for a new chapter in passenger transporof relevant stakeholders while continuing tation. It has been a difficult period for to provide good quality services to local all operators but we remain committed communities across the country. We look to progressing the emerging issues impacting our sector so we can make a real impact on policy proposals the association is putting forward to Government.” “We were also delighted to mark the election of two able candidates to the Executive Council. Garrett O’Toole and Damien Long are two Pictured (l-r) Willie Martin, Vice Chairman, CTTC; Jim Campion, important additions whose Campion Insurance and John Halpenny, Chairperson, CTTC experience in the sector will perfectly complement forward to continuing to work closely the existing expertise on the Executive with all stakeholders across government Council. As an Association we are to drive the recovery in coach tourism, immensely privileged to have some scheduled services, private hire and of the foremost operators guiding the school transport.”
