REPORT

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 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 members was well-regarded operator, Derry Cronin of Cronin Coaches (Cork). The Executive Council would like to acknowledge the endless dedication and support provided by Derry over the recent past. The Council of the CTTC wishes them good luck with their future endeavours.

John Halpenny who continues in his position as Chairman until February 2023 said: “It was great to meet old friends and new at our AGM and to get to share the experiences of the past 24 months with each-other as we prepare for a new chapter in passenger transportation. It has been a difficult period for all operators but we remain committed 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 important additions whose experience in the sector will perfectly complement the existing expertise on the Executive Council. As an Association we are immensely privileged to have some of the foremost operators guiding the future direction of the association and while we are sorry to see Derry Cronin of Cronin Coaches step down, on behalf of the association we would like to thank him and his father, Dermot for the enormous contribution they have made over the years.” “I am very proud to continue in my role as Chairperson for another year. My vision for the sector is for a sustainable, progressive, and collaborative association that is a trusted advisor of relevant stakeholders while continuing to provide good quality services to local communities across the country. We look

forward to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders across government to drive the recovery in coach tourism, scheduled services, private hire and school transport.”

State of passenger transport nation highlighted at CTTC AGM

Newly elected Executive Council officers, Garett O’Toole and Damien Long. Pictured (l-r) Willie Martin, Vice Chairman, CTTC; Jim Campion,

Campion Insurance and John Halpenny, Chairperson, CTTC

THE CTTC ExECUTIVE FOR 2022/23 IS AS FOLLOWS:

John Halpenny (Chair) William Martin (Vice-Chair) David Conway Philip O’Callaghan Caoimhe Moloney Joe Donoghue Mike Buckley James McGinley Jeff Clarke Feargal Barton Brendan Crowley Damien Long Garrett O’Toole JJ Kavanagh

VOLVO BUS & COACH

Volvo Bus & Coach UK & Ireland, as one of the associate sponsors of the event made a wide ranging and extensive presentation to the delegates attending the AGM, covering topics including the introduction of electric city buses and the launch of two new additions to the electric range of the new coach model, 9900. Outside the hotel venue there was a new 9900 on show for delegates to review.

UPDATE GIVEN TO CTTC MEMBERS ON THE FUEL CRISIS IN MARCH

Recently the Government reduced the cost of petrol by 20 cent per litre, in addition to a 15 cent cut in excise duty for diesel. A cut of 2 cent per litre on green diesel has also been agreed. The reductions will remain in place until 31st August and they are expected to cost the State a total of €320 million.

Despite this, it is the CTTC contention that the measures “address the symptom, not the cause.” Its position is that these latest measures will do little to mitigate the long-term impacts of the rising cost of fuel. The CTTC sent Government details on measures that will help the industry against spiralling costs, and pressed that they must be introduced as a matter of urgency: n The introduction of a set price for fuel that represents a defined amount per litre n Setting the discounted price of diesel lower than petrol to acknowledge the key role the fuel plays in supporting the operations of businesses n The immediate introduction of variation clauses in all state contracts for school transport, to allow for flexibility when the industry incurs a drastic change in operational costs. With the cost of fuel becoming largely dictated by geopolitical events and global energy markets, the need for flexibility in these contracts has never been clearer.

The inclusion of such clauses would ultimately act as a buffer and would safeguard the transport sector against crippling increases in the cost of fuel while ensuring continuity and consistency of routes and service provision. Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie Photos: Conor McCabe

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