CTTC Driving Competition

Now a regular part of the programme within the Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) Coach & Bus Show, the Driving Competition attracts much interest and attention from coach drivers and show attendees alike. Originally set up as a memory to the late Martin Guilfoyle, who spent most of his career with Bernard Kavanaghs of Urlingford, the overall winner receives the Guilfoyle Perpetual Trophy, which is sponsored by Bernard Kavanaghs. The competition itself is sponsored by Cronin Motors, Cork agents for Van Hool in Ireland.

Peter Byrne of Tony Doyle Coaches (pictured above), was announced as the winner of the CTTC Driving Competition 2022, with Alan Roach of GoBus taking the runner’s up award. There was a tie for third place between Conor Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh Coaches, and Fergal McDermott, of Cronin’s of Cork.

At the event, Derry Cronin, on behalf of Cronins said: “We were delighted to sponsor the driving competition at the CTTC Show, and to see such a strong interest from drivers from around the country, and of all ages, which is heartening”

Once again, Damien Kerin from Donegal helped with the running of the tests as he has done since 2014, ably assisted by a team of volunteers. Each driver had to undertake three sections, a theory test, a short interview, and the practical driving test. When the winners were announced, Damien said that is was encouraging to see that four of the first five drivers in the competition were under 25 years of age.

Peter Byrne - Tony Doyle Coaches commented on his achievement: “Driving was always something I loved doing. For a time I had my own vans and trucks, up until the recession in 2008 and then I decided to go for my coach licence. To be honest, after starting to drive for Tony Doyle Coaches, I wish I had done it years earlier. Coach driving is something I love doing and I can’t recommend it more for anyone stuck in two minds of not knowing to go for it or not. If you like meeting people there is a great camaraderie among coach drivers, and it brings you to some beautiful places you would never see unless you drive a coach. I can safely say I will be in Tony Doyle Coaches’ office and driving coaches until I retire which is a long way off!”

Alan Roach, GoBus stated - “It was a great to be nominated by GoBus to participate in the CTTC Driving

Competition and a great surprise to receive a podium place. Like many school leavers in boom time, I worked in the construction industry. Inspired by travelling, along with my father who was a driver with Bus Éireann, my true passion was to have a career driving coaches. I worked as a taxi driver for many years, and during that time I gained customer experience and the required licence. The main problems faced were the financial costs associated with training, qualifying and finding an employer who would take on a newly qualified bus driver. I got work with a European tour company, which provided me with additional training and valuable experience to pursue employment back home. Though my passion is for express/ intercity scheduled services, the industry has plenty to suit everyone’s preferences and personal circumstances. The non-9 to 5 nature of the business does not suit everyone, though I’m lucky, because GoBus has a rotation schedule that fits in with family life.”

Conor Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh Coaches, said: “I’ve always known how to drive a coach, from being a toddler sitting on my dad’s knees, hands on the wheel, ‘steering’ coaches around the yard to when my feet eventually reached the pedals. I loved being around the yard on the weekends, moving coaches in and out of the wash and over the pit. It’s in my blood, my grandfather was Pierce Kavanagh of Urlingford. The moment I turned 21 though, I applied for my bus test and managed to get a cancellation place really quickly. I passed the test first time and straight away began driving during weekends when I wasn’t studying.”

Conor added: “I love it; the open road, spectacular scenery and meeting new people. One of the best things about coach driving is the support you get from other drivers and transport managers. They are genuinely delighted to meet, welcome, and encourage younger drivers into the industry. Driving a coach is a huge responsibility demanding your full attention. The lack of coach parking and loading/disembarking space for coach tour passengers is a nightmare in our capital city, but thankfully there are more good times than bad times.”

Fergal McDermott, Cronin’s of Cork agreed with the other winners: “I have been driving trucks from when I was 17 years old. In 2002, I made a career change and switched to driving coaches, a move I never regretted. It was very fortunate for me to move on to driving coaches and work for a great company, Cronin’s of Cork. I love what I’m doing and am so glad to have made the career change. I like meeting people and I have made very good friends on the road, both inside and outside the coach. Like every job there are challenges.

Coach parking for the tour coaches around Dublin is always uncertain and never guaranteed. Difficulties for young drivers starting off include that it’s so costly to do the test and you might not get it first time. I would like to stay on the road for as long as I can, touring round Ireland and to finish out my driving career in that way. Our job is changing every year, tourists want new experiences and that is always a challenge, but that’s what makes the job fulfilling.”

Encouraging people to make the switch to using buses and public travel is a challenge for everybody. It will be about changing people’s habits and perceptions. The initiative by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the new early February (St Bridget’s) Public holiday weekend to allow a passenger to travel free with a holder of a ‘Leap’ travel card is a great way to introduce people to traveling on public transport. I have no doubt that after the experience there would have been many people pleasantly surprised at how convenient and simple it was to take a bus or train. However, the downside is, if they had a bad experience, will they have been put off for ever. Hopefully not!

When a debate is held in the national media about encouraging people to use public transport and leave the car at home, the calls come thick and fast. With comments such as “I have no bus service”, or “the bus that serves this area does not always suit me”, these debates become a divide between city and rural dwellers. I think the point can sometimes be lost here. A switch from private car to public transport does not have to happen as