Fleet Bus & Coach Winter 23

OFFICIAL IRISH JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUS/COACH AWARDS

www.fleet.ie Volume 20. No. 3 Winter 2023

WINNERS!

IRISH COACH of the YEAR AWARDS 2024

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

- Title Sponsor

Full Report & Photos from Fleet Bus & Coach Awards 2024

Limited availabi lity for 2022

OUR WARMEST SEASONS GREETINGS. At this festive time, we wish all our Irish customers and business partners a bright and prosperous New Year.

*BUSINESS USERS ONLY. Monthly rentals apply. £2,064.50 a month over a 60 month (1+59) Operating Lease agreement. Based on a Tourismo Access 12m. 60,000 kms annum. Mileage and damage charges apply. No ownership option available. Rentals exclude VAT at 20%. Offer ends 30/06/2022.

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www.fleet.ie | 101

Contents Winter 2023 Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie ISSN: 1649-9433 Managing Editor: Jarlath Sweeney Editor: Sean Murtagh Contributors: Cathal Doyle Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Paul Sherwood Administration: Orla Sweeney Advertising: Mary Morrissey Design: Crackerjack Design House Printed in Ireland

Fleet Bus & Coach

2023

- the official Irish journal of the International Bus & Coach of the Year Awards

website www.fleetbusandcoach.ie

Bus & Coach

102 NEWS New arrival from Volvo Bus into

116 IRISH COACH OF THE YEAR Category Winners Announced

Irish Market New Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland

119 WELCOME RECEPTION Welcome Reception sponsored by Johnstown

104 REVIEW

Estate Hotel

Busworld 2023 – Brussels, Belgium

132 CONDUCTORS’ STAND Government ignores

108 AWARDS

Bus Operators

Fleet Bus & Coach Awards 2024 Report and Photographs

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime & Caravan Cruise Ireland are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

Disclaimer: Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Bus & Coach management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

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Title Sponsor

102| NEWS | NEWS 1

Volvo B8R – MCV eVoTor coach arrives in Ireland

Volvo Buses’ B8R – MCV eVoTor coach has exclusively been introduced to the Irish market, with an attractive package and offering an alternative to operators looking for cost efficiency and reliability.

Built on the proven and successful B8R 8.0-litre chassis for the first time, this entry-level addition to Volvo’s portfolio keeps costs down and uptime up to further extend the manufacturer’s reach within the Irish coach markets. Built in collaboration with Volvo’s Egyptian

partner MCV, the body benefits from a subtle facelift.

The B8R features Volvo’s proven for fuel-efficiency D8K engine, producing up to 350 hp and a peak torque of 1,585 Nm. All vehicles are PSVAR-compliant and designed with 53 high quality seats and a toilet, which can be dismantled to allow for 55 seats, alongside generous on-board luggage racks.

A Bosch audiovisual system also comes as standard with individual USB charging points to keep passengers

connected on the go. The 12-speed I-Shift automated transmission combines smooth and precise gearshifts with high average speeds and outstanding driveability.

The B8R – MCV eVoTor is one of two new models from Volvo Bus confirmed to enter the marketplace in early 2024, with a third on the horizon. Opening orders have also been placed for the second confirmed model, which is the facelifted Sunsundegui SC7 on the B13R chassis.

of more than 225 buses operating on 33 routes and employs 760 colleagues.

Go-Ahead Ireland was appointed by the National Transport Authority to begin running services in Dublin in 2018 and currently runs 28 services in the outer Dublin city area and five Dublin commuter routes, serving 14 million passengers per year.

Upon her appointment, Ms McKay said: “Go-Ahead Ireland is an ambitious company which delivers great bus services to passengers, and

I’m really excited to be taking on this new challenge. With the BusConnects network redesign comes the opportunity for Go-Ahead Ireland to demonstrate its continued dedication to providing safe, reliable, and accessible services for our customers. Go-Ahead Ireland is a trusted mobility provider across the Greater Dublin Area, and I’m thrilled to be at the helm of such an exciting business, one that continues to play an important role in Dublin’s public transport.”

New Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland

The Go-Ahead Group, which operates services in and around the Greater Dublin Area, has appointed Dervla McKay as Managing Director of its bus division.

The Donegal native brings extensive experience in bus and coach operation across Ireland and England. She joins Go-Ahead Ireland from her previous role as Managing Director of Aircoach.

Dervla took up her role last month and replaced Andrew Edwards, who moved to Go-Ahead London to become Operations Director after three years in Ireland.

With depot locations in Ballymount and Naas, Go-Ahead Ireland has a fleet FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

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104| |NEWS review 1

Busworld 2023, Brussels, Belgium

It’s been four years since the last Busworld bus and coach exhibition was held in Brussels.

Covid-19 brought the world to a standstill within a few weeks, and it took a lot longer to re-start normal trade. Postpandemic, things are very different. Notably the pace of introduction of electrification in vehicles and the use of alternative drivelines has increased.

Busworld had it all for visitors to see and discover. Over the week of the exhibition, more than 40,000 people visited.

While operators may still be sceptical of some of the developments, they got a glimpse of what the future will look like.

After the first day walking around the various stands and demonstrations, two elements stood out; the scarcity of diesel buses and the arrival of new manufacturers from India, China and Turkey. In all, there were 75 manufacturers present compared to 66 last time. In total there were 628 exhibitors, again a big increase from the last event, and interestingly over 150 of these were there for the first time. Many of the new exhibitors were suppliers of charging infrastructure and electric batteries, while some offered refuelling solutions for hydrogen powered buses. As always, some new innovations were presented. For example, a Finnish company, Jaako-Tuote FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

Oy which has developed windows that have built in solar panels.

While Busworld is the main event, there are other aspects dovetailing with it. In recent times a “Zero Emissions Bus Conference” has been held annually, and this year it was hosted by Busworld.

Driver shortages was a topic on everyone’s lips, and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) held some workshops which were open to operators to help them formulate new and more innovative solutions. Over 40% of bus drivers in Europe are over 55 years of age and only 3% are under 25, so this is a big issue.

Regardless of all these interesting side events, Busworld remains all about buses. Indeed there were 222 of them on show, with a further 29 available to test drive outside. Here are some of the highlights from the manufacturers.

Iveco Bus

For Irish operators the e-Daily electric mini-bus and the e-Daily electric chassis will be of interest.

MAN Truck & Bus

MAN’s Bus division started series production of the electric Lions City E just three years ago. In the weeks leading up to Busworld it delivered the 1000th zero-emission bus from its plant in Poland. This bus is one from an order of 20 destined for Madrid. By 2025, half of MAN’s bus production will be electric and by 2030 that figure will be 90%. A new Neoplan Tourliner was also launched here in Brussels. Since its launch in 2003 almost 4000 Tourliners have been sold.

Yutong

Iveco was one of the first manufacturers to embrace low and zero carbon buses.

For many years the Italian company has sold these environmentally friendly units to cities all over the world. At Busworld, a new 12m E-Way H2 was displayed.

This hydrogen fuel cell electric bus was developed in partnership with Hyundai.

Chinese manufacturer Yutong has been manufacturing electric vehicles for 26

review | 105 years. In that time over 175,000 units have been put into operation and it is estimated that these buses have covered almost 40 billion kilometres. With this experience and investing 7% of its annual turnover in R&D, Yutong feels confident about the future success of its products. There are over 1000 buses and coaches operating in Europe, including the UK, where there are some electric coaches in service.

Thermo King

New interiors and drivers’ area redesigns are innovative and now available as standard on all coaches. Vanhool also unveiled a newly developed ExquiCity BRT electric bus. It is one of 56 destined for Paris.

Iiesbus (CNG) and electric variants. To date only diesel powered buses have come to the Irish/UK market but next year will change that, with electric buses being listed on the order book. Last year 50 units were sold in this market and EVM is confident that 2024 will see this figure increase.

Look out for the Nova Volt electric 7.3 m coach with 29 seats.

ZF

Air conditioning and climate control are essential elements of the passenger experience when commuting or touring.

Launching the new Athenia ENVI Heat Pump, Thermo King stated that the new unit is roof mounted, and uses an environmentally friendly natural refrigerant. With the ability to operate in a temperature range from -50C to +50C, this all-in-one unit can utilise waste heat from other sources of heat in the bus.

EVM

As the electric driveline starts to become the norm, this technology presents a new challenge for transmission manufacturers, a challenge that ZF has relished, and continues to embrace. Its latest electric axle, the AxTrax 2 LF is designed for low floor buses. ZF claims that the new axle will provide savings of up to 10% in terms of improved efficiency and is further enhanced for start/stop driving.

Its compact design will also give more space in the bus.

VanHool

Irish manufacturer EVM had a big presence at Busworld. One of the centre pieces of its display was an electric minibus built on an Iveco Daily chassis, with full wheelchair and low floor access.

A newly developed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with 16 seats and a wheelchair lift fitted was also showcased. Like many manufacturers, lead times are up to 12 months. EVM is now also the agent for Isuzu Buses in Ireland and the UK, offering products available off the shelf.

Anadolu Isuzu Isuzu’s JV bus division had five vehicles on its stand, including diesel, natural gas

Vanhool was one of the few manufacturers that featured diesel powered coaches at Busworld, showcasing the EX-range and the new T coach. Sales of the TX range are strong, but in the future only double deck models will be continued.

This Welsh manufacturer, represented in Ireland by JJ Kavanagh Coach Sales, is making inroads into the market here. it was unusual to see a right-hand drive vehicle at Busworld - an e-City with 25 seats, two wheelchair spaces and 17 standees, based on the Iveco Daily. An e-City chassis was also displayed and both will be coming to Ireland early next year. In pre-production testing under full load conditions, e-City has achieved a range of over 200km.

Irizar

While diesel featured on the Irizar stand with the launch of the ‘efficient’ range, the big news was the hydrogen powered coach. The i6s is a prototype but in tests it is achieving a range of 1000km. Irizar is confident about the hydrogen coach and says it will also be offered as an i4 model. It is claimed that the coach can be fuelled in 20 minutes, will be lighter and have more passenger capacity and luggage space. Alls featured was Irizar’s electric road tram, which is in service in 11 European countries. Demand for the tram is so strong that production is booked up for 2024.

Daimler Bus - Mercedes-Benz – Setra At the Mercedes-Benz & Setra press www.fleet.ie

106| NEWS | review 1

conference Daimler Bus CEO, Till Oberwörder, used the opportunity to send a strong message to the politicians and administrators across Europe. He suggested that their policies were based on wishful thinking rather than reality and urged them to engage rather than preach. Back on stand the ultra successful Citaro modal was on display with hydrogen used as a range extender rather than the primary power source.

Also announced was the option to have digital cameras replace mirrors.

passengers, Higer is represented in Ireland by Harris Bus & Coach and carries the full range of products, services and parts. Harris has worked closely with Higer to make some modifications to enhance the coaches, making them more suitable and adaptable for the Irish market.

Higer Chinese manufacturer Higer launched three new vehicles - the Azure 9, a mid-range bus, the F1 Fencer integral EV, and the Azure 7, regarded as a ‘Last Mile’ shuttle bus. At 9 metres it has deep windows, which with its bright interior give a sense of freedom and space to FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

VDL

BYD

Scania

Scania unveiled its new electric bus chassis/platform promising a range of 500km. One of the points made by the Swedish manufacturer was the likelihood that most world markets will have different requirements, and the company wants to help and engineer tailor-made local solutions. Like some manufacturers, Scania proposes to sell its chassis and drivetrains to coachbuilders, an example of which featured a coach body built by Castrosua. Also in the coach segment, Scania has developed an natural gas (LNG) powered coach offering a range of 1200 km.

presented by the Turkish builder. Of great interest is the partnership established with Caentano to present a hydrogen powered inter-city coach with a range of 1000 km on a single fill. Temsa is committed to two forms of zero emission - hydrogen and electric. Serial production of the hydrogen coach will begin in 2025.

Temsa has enjoyed 61% growth globally in the past 24 months and continues to invest around 5% of annual revenues in R&D.

BYD regards itself as a trailblazer in the electric bus market and there is some truth in that claim. Not a company to rest on its laurel’s, the relatively new Chinese automotive and battery producer presented a double decker electric coach, which is a joint venture with UNVI. Primarily aimed at the open top tour sector, it may prove a winner with cities that insist on zero emission vehicles only.

It is also the first bus chassis to use the new blade battery which is encased in the chassis, and is said to offer a range distance of up to 600 km.

Temsa

Temsa had an electric inter-urban coach on display, one of ten vehicles

Having sold all of its available Futura coach stock until 2024, there are some limited slots for ordered vehicles in RHD form. Soon customers will be able to see what the new Futura coach will look like.

Although a mock-up of it was on the stand, everybody was tight lipped about what propulsion system would be used.

New Futura will feature new seating along with many interior enhancements and some additional safety features. Also on stand VDL had the latest CITEA on display, which is proving very popular.

Conclusion Having spent a few days looking into the future of the bus industry, it seems most operators cannot get their heads around where this will end up for them.

All of the zero emission buses are very expensive, and require complex charging facilities that are scarce and also expensive. The consensus on which propulsion is most effective is continuously changing. For the most part the people purchasing all this equipment are funded by governments, city councils and ultimately the taxpayer. Regulators, environmentalists, and politicians are convinced nations are on the right track to decarbonisation, but private operators are left scratching their heads trying to make sense of it. Who is going to tell the emperor that he is ‘wearing no clothes’ or when will he realise it?

Text: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

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108 | NEWS

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

Tony Christie

Operators from the four provinces of Ireland honoured at the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards 2024

Bus and Coach operators from all across the country were honoured at the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards Gala Banquet, held at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, County Meath on Thursday 16 November with JF Dunne Insurance as Title Sponsor for the Awards.

First award of the event, Services to the Passenger Transport Industry was presented to Caoimhe Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh Coaches, Urlingford for her continuous campaigning and work behind the scenes on behalf of bus and coach operators.

Complimenting the prize winners, Jarlath Sweeney, Managing Editor, Fleet Bus & Pictured is Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurances – Coach said: “Congratulations Title Sponsor of the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards with to all of the prize winners, who Síle Seoige, Master of Ceremonies thoroughly deserved their awards for their sion electric buses and coaches were fine services to the public honoured at the event. and to tourism visitors. With Congratulating the winners, Sean more and more taking to Murtagh, Editor, Fleet Bus & Coach and the bus and coach, it augers Irish jury member of the International well for the industry and Bus/Coach jury said: “Full compliments shows that the great service to the various brands and models on provided by operators is being among the prize recipients at our being acknowledged and awards evening. Thanks to the manurecognised. Hopefully these facturers and distributors for presenting honours presented will further their finest offerings, each and every promote positivity in the one providing top levels of comfort Services to the Passenger Transport Award – Pictured (l-4) industry, which is so important and safety for their passengers and the Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Caoimhe to the Irish economy.” driver.”

Moloney Kavanagh and Síle Seoige, Master of Ceremonies Six of the best buses and coaches honoured The showcase event, which acknowlat the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards edges best practice and customer service 2024 excellence has been re-established after Also at the Fleet Bus & Coach a few years’ absence due to the global Awards five leading bus and pandemic. Compèred by TV celebrity coach manufacturers received Sile Seoige, a great night of tributes, recognition for their achievemusic and entertainment were among ments at the Irish Coach Awards the highlights, topped by a very special 2024 which were sponsored guest appearance by the legendary

by Close Brothers Commercial singer Tony Christie, who brought the Finance. A mix of conventional gathering to their feet singing along to diesel powered and zero-emishis most famous recording “Amarillo”.

Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Publications FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

CATEGORY WINNERS | 109

category winners Coach Operator Award 2024 – Town/ City Service and Local Link Provider

sponsored by EVM

Winner: O’Callaghan Coaches Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Philip O’Callaghan, O’Callaghan Coaches; Shaun McBride, EVM (Category Sponsor) and Síle Seoige, MC.

Coach Operator Award 2024 – Inter City / Airport Services

sponsored by AdTec Aerauto

Winner: Dublin Express Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Rory Fitzgerald General Manager National Express Ireland; John Boughton, Managing Director Dublin Express / National Express Ireland; Kieran Mulvaney, Managing Director, AdTec Aerauto (Category Sponsor) and Síle Seoige, MC.

www.fleet.ie

Bus & Coach

110 | CATEGORY WINNERS

category winners Coach Operator of the Year 2024 – Tours

AWARDS 2024

Winner: Cronin’s Coaches John Quirke, Cronin’s Coaches; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurances (Title Sponsor); Niall Cronin, Cronin’s Coaches; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Dermot Cronin, Derry Cronin, Niall Cronin, Cronin’s Coaches and Síle Seoige, MC.

Coach Operator of the Year 2024 – Tour Organiser & Coach Provider

Winner: Pierce Kavanagh Coaches Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Diarmaid Thompson, National Accounts Manager, Volvo Bus & Coach (Category Sponsor); Conor Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh, Caoimhe Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh Coaches and Síle Seoige, MC.

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

CATEGORY WINNERS | 111

category winners Bus Operator of the Year 2024 – 10 or less Vehicles

Winner: Collins Travel Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Vincent Clarke, M.D. Clarke Autowash (Category Sponsor); Brendan and Andrew Collins, Collins Travel and Síle Seoige, MC.

Bus Operator of the Year 2024 – More than 10 Vehicles

Winner: Donoghue’s of Galway Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Vincent Clarke, M.D. Clarke Autowash (Category Sponsor); Joe Donoghue, Donoghue’s of Galway and Síle Seoige, MC.

www.fleet.ie

Bus & Coach

112 | CATEGORY WINNERS

category winners

AWARDS 2024

School Bus Operator of the Year 2024

Winner: Brigdale Coaches Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Category Sponsor); Shane Brigdale, Cian Crimmins and Shane Óg Brigdale, Brigdale Coaches and Síle Seoige, MC.

Safety Practice Award 2024

Winner: Aircoach Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Kim Swan, Managing Director, Aircoach and Johanna Parsons and Síle Seoige, MC.

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

CATEGORY WINNERS | 113

category winners Livery & Corporate Identity Award 2024

Winner: Irish Citylink / Go Bus Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Frances Cahill, Irish Citylink / Go Bus; Tommy Callinan, Callinan Coaches; Mark Noone, Brian Noone Ltd (Category Sponsor) and Síle Seoige, MC.

Care for the Environment Award 2024

Winner: Spain’s Coach Hire / Luxury Irish Tours Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Glen Guildea, Managing Director, M50 Truck & Van Centre (Category Sponsor); Claire Spain and Keith Spain, Spain’s Coach Hire / Luxury Irish Tours and Síle Seoige, MC.

www.fleet.ie

114 | CATEGORY WINNERS

category winners Investment in Innovation Award 2024

Bus & Coach AWARDS 2024

Winner: Dave Long Coach Hire Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Willie Martin, Chairman, Coach Tourism & Transport Council (Category Sponsor); Damien Long, Dave Long Coach Hire and Síle Seoige, MC.

Women in Passenger Transport Award 2024

Winner: Siobhán O’Hara – Corduff Travel Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine; Carlos Dunne, JF Dunne Insurance (Title Sponsor); Pat Curran, Harris Group (Category Sponsor); Siobhán O’Hara, Corduff Travel and Síle Seoige, MC.

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

Bus & Coach

CATEGORY WINNERS | 115

category winners

AWARDS 2024

www.fleet.ie

116 | IRISH COACH OF THE YEAR

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH - IRISH COACH of the Year Awards 2024

AWARDS 2024

Irish Coach of the Year 2024 Sponsored by

Irish Midi-Coach of the Year 2024 Sponsored by

Winner: VDL/DAF Double Deck Coach

Winner: Noone Turas 700S (Iveco)

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Bas Gielen, VDL Coach & Bus; Bruce Archer, OHM Group; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Seoige, M.C.

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Mark Noone, M.D. Brian Noone Ltd; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Seoige, M.C.

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

IRISH COACH OF THE YEAR | 117

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH - IRISH COACH of the Year Awards 2024

AWARDS 2024

Irish Electric Coach of the Year 2024 Sponsored by

Irish Electric Bus Drivetrain Award 2024 Sponsored by

Winner: Higer Azure 12 metre

Winner: Volvo Bus BZL

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Brian Patterson and Denise Harris – Harris Group; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Seoige, M.C.

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Diarmaid Thompson, National Account Manager, Volvo Bus; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Soeige, M.C.

www.fleet.ie

118 | IRISH COACH OF THE YEAR

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH - IRISH COACH of the Year Awards 2024

AWARDS 2024

Irish Electric Mini-Bus of the Year 2024 Sponsored by

Special Merit – Wheelchair Accessibility Award Sponsored by

Winner: Maxus eDeliver 9

Winner: Noone Turas 900S (DAF)

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Brian Patterson and Denise Harris – Harris Group; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Seoige, M.C.

Karl Jennings, Close Brothers Commercial Finance (Sponsor); Mark Noone, M.D. Brian Noone Ltd; Sean Murtagh, Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine and Síle Seoige, M.C.

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

WELCOME RECEPTION | 119

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH Awards 2024 Sponsored by

AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Aircoach

John Boughton, Ann Gallagher, Doreen Bell and Padraig McGrane – Dublin Express

Emma Callinan, Linda Lambert, Ava Keane, Frances Cahill, Michelle Callinan – Irish Citylink and Callinan Coaches

Noel Brady and Anne Cronin

The team from EVM

William Aherne, Shaun McBride, Lorna Miller, Mary Cronin, Ray Murray www.fleet.ie

120 | WELCOME RECEPTION

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH Awards 2024 Sponsored by

AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Pauline Walsh, Shane Aherne

Spain’s Coach Hire / Luxury Irish Tours

Mary & Vincent Clarke – Clarke Autowash

Philip Kenny and Gabriel Finn

Conor Kavanagh, Pierce Kavanagh, Caoimhe Kavanagh, Linda Kearney and Roy Kearney

Corduff Travel

Dennis McGannon and Ray Murray

Jarlath Sweeney and Emma Callinan

Cronin’s Coaches

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

WELCOME RECEPTION | 121

Bus & Coach

Fleet BUS & COACH Awards 2024 Sponsored by

AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

David Conway and William Martin – CTTC

Pierce, Caoimhe and Conor Kavanagh – Pierce Kavanagh Coaches

Brigdale Coaches

Dublin Express

Tony Christie, Sile Seoige and Jarlath Sweeney

The winning team from Cronin’s Coaches

Callinan Coaches and Irish Citylink/Go Bus

Eddie Brigdale couldn’t make it to the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards but was proud of the award when it got back to Clare

Andrew and Brendan Collins

www.fleet.ie

122| NEWS | CONDUCTORS’ 1 STAND

Government Ignores Bus Operators By ignoring CBOs (Commercial Bus Operators), the Government could be accused of discriminating between passengers on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services and those using Private Operators. It is disappointing that, despite intense lobbying, the Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) got very little from Budget 2024.

Many agencies are encouraging people to use more sustainable travel options, including using private buses and their services. While the Bus and Coach sector has come out of the Covid crisis relatively unscathed, it still needs a lot of Government support and assistance. We are more reliant on public transport than ever before, and as more of us populate the planet, careful planning will be required in the decades ahead to ensure some degree of comfort and efficiency. Buses will be a key part of any plan. One of the problems is that the investment required to allow the private sector tool up cannot be generated through normal trading, a not unusual situation for sectors looking to cope with increased demand.

Carrying 75 million passengers including two million tourists, and employing almost 20,000 people, the private bus sector is significant. While most operators are experiencing a return to pre-Covid levels and some rate improvements, there is some nervousness about the future amongst operators.

In presenting its Budget submission the CTTC divided its document into two. A request for specific financial help for operators and the need for future strategic development for public transport was made. VAT has always been a bugbear for operators, adding up to 21% to their costs, and the CTTC have asked for some changes here. It asked for a scrappage scheme for operators’ vehicles, for all private operators to be included in future fare reduction schemes, and to introduce an incentive investment for accessible vehicles. From a strategic point of view, it asked for a fuel contingency fund, a reconfiguration of Ireland’s Transport strategy and some state encouragement to attract drivers into the sector.

As the Budget approached, the CTTC got involved in some national and local lobbying of politicians and had some meetings with Government Ministers. There was a degree of anticipation and hope that the Government would see the importance of giving some incentives and assistance to the private bus sector. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

In a statement after the Budget speech, Willie Martin, Chairperson of the CTTC commented: “While we acknowledge the challenges faced by Government in balancing various priorities, the absence of a 20% fare reduction for CBOs in Budget 2024 is deeply disappointing. It represents a missed

FLEETBUS&COACH| WINTER 23

opportunity to level the playing field for operators who are integral to the functioning of our public transport system. We urge the Government to reconsider this decision and work towards a fairer and more sustainable future for the industry.”

“The exclusion of CBOs from fare reduction schemes affects a substantial portion of the population, the vast majority outside the Greater Dublin Area. It is estimated that over 71% of the population across the State do not have full access to the 20% fare reduction scheme. The CTTC is also disappointed that the broadening of the VAT71 criteria was not included to allow operators to invest in more sustainable vehicles, in particular those commercial operators operating town services.”

Willie concluded by saying that the CTTC was committed to continue trying to get the Government to be a little more receptive to their members.

As Government and its agencies continue to roll out policies to reduce the use of fossil fuels, they need to be careful that they do not give an advantage to one group over another. On a wider note, they would also want to be careful not to discriminate against commuters. Cyclists and pedestrians are not superior to bus passengers. Any investments and policies aimed at getting people to leave their cars at home should not discriminate against what mode of transport they choose.

Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie

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