Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Michael Martin Photography
Administration: Orla Sweeney
Advertising: Mary Morrissey
Design: Crackerjack Design House
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Members of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) attended the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Foynes, County Limerick on March 7th. The 2025 gathering marked an election year in the annual calendar of the country’s coach operator organisation, and at the AGM members voted to elect FlightLink founder and operator David Conway as successor to Willie Martin as Chairman.
A full day of presentations and discussions kept the delegates busy, and included a tour of the host venue, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.
Opening the AGM, Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurcú highlighted details of her work on the transport committee of the European Parliament. She thanked the Executive for the invite to address the meeting, and plans to arrange to meet a sub-committee from the CTTC on a regular basis to help deal with some of the issues facing the sector.
Outgoing President, Willie Martin addressing the attendance reflected on the achievement of the CTTC during his term as chair. On the political front there was engagement with politicians in Europe, at Government and local level.
Free parking has been achieved at the NTA facility, and the issue of parking has been amplified for major musical and sporting events. Issues around the 12-day rule have been clarified and raising awareness around the advantages of using HVO fuel have been put on the political agenda. Many other issues are now firmly on the agenda for the future of the CTTC, a need to transfer more people from cars to buses, infrastructural development, including bus lanes. Political support for the use of HVO as an interim fuel for long distance coach travel. Willie finished by thanking all those for their support, including members of the CTTC and especially his own family, who kept the show on the road.
David Conway, the incoming chair of the CTTC grew up in a family coach business, Conway Coaches of Limerick. David worked with the ComfortDelGro Corporation from 2011 to 2023 with full P&L responsibility, and leading
CTTC sails into Foynes and drops anchor for its AGM
strategic growth for Irish Citylink and GoBus operations in Ireland and West bus coach services in London. In 2023 he established FlightLink, operating express coach routes to and from Dublin Airport. Following his appointment, David outlined his plans. “As I step into this role, my focus will be on three key priorities: Securing Government support for fleet decarbonisation; expanding our membership base, and advocating for critical infrastructure improvements across all sectors, including tourism, school transport, and scheduled services.”
Dave Hobson, Area Sales Manager for Northern England, Scotland & Ireland at Daimler Bus facilitated attendees with a series of test drives of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, which will be available for a limited time to operators for demonstration.
Sean Moloughney from Campion Insurance gave a presentation to
operators about the Auto Enrolment and urged them not to leave it to the last minute to be prepared for the new legislation that will take affect later this year.
Gerry Halissey, CEO of Foynes Port presented some of the unique selling points of Foynes Port and the importance of coach operators to their development plans. Last year they welcomed six cruise ships, their target is to get 30 per annum in the coming years.
Later that evening Limerick City & County Mayor John Moran and Minister of State Niall Collins TD, attended a gala dinner, hosted by the new Chairman, David Conway at the Woodlands Hotel in Adare.
I NCOMING COMMITTEE:
David Conway (Chair) - Flightlink, Limerick; Brendan Crowley (Vice-Chair) - Wexford Bus, Wexford; John HalpennyHalpenny Travel, Louth; James McGinley - John McGinley Travel, Donegal; Garrett O’Toole (Treasurer) - Nolan Coaches,
At the National Transport Awards in Madrid, the latest MAN Lion’s Coach was honoured with the “Coach of the Year in Spain” award. “We are incredibly proud of this award. After all, it shows how well our Lion’s Coach and the constant improvements we are incorporating into the coach are being received by the market and customers,” said Manuel Fraile, Commercial Director for buses at MAN Truck & Bus Iberia, at the award ceremony.
Featuring a new electronics platform, which has been used in all MAN and NEOPLAN buses since last year, a completely new cockpit with MAN SmartSelect has found its way into the Lion’s Coach. “It is the central point of vehicle operation, meeting the highest ergonomic standards and can be operated intuitively. This absolute driver orientation and the extended assistance systems ensure greater comfort and safety,” says Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus at MAN Truck & Bus.
One of the most relevant developments in terms of safety systems is the radar-assisted turning aid for the unclear side of the bus, which can be combined with an optional lane change aid on both sides. The new turning aid detects static objects in the lateral area up to 4.5 meters away and also calculates
Dublin; Jeff Clarke - Eirebus, Dublin; JJ Kavanagh - JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Kilkenny; Willie Martin - Martins Coaches, Limerick; Feargal Barton - Barton’s Transport, Kildare; Mike Buckley - Kerry Coaches, Kerry; Damien Long - Dave Long Travel, Cork.
New Committee members: Sarah Comer – Citylink; Michael Corduff - Corduff Travel, Mayo; Kim Swan –Aircoach, Dublin and Caoimhe Moloney - Pierce Kavanagh & Sons, Kilkenny.
MAN Lion’s Coach crowned “Coach of the Year in Spain”
potential paths of movement in advance. This enables the system to assess the situation in advance and, if necessary, issue a visual and acoustic warning in three stages.
The National Transport Awards are organised by the trade magazines “Transporte 3” and “Viajeros”. The jury, made up of specialists and industry experts from Spain, including numerous managers from public transport and bus companies, presents the award to the best vehicles in twelve categories. “The jury members have precise knowledge of which vehicles inspire companies, drivers and passengers and which buses impress with their reliability, comfort, safety and economy. That’s why the award is so important to us,” added Mr. Fraile.
Volvo Buses and UNVI collaborate to introduce new full-size coach for UK & Ireland
In an interesting development, Volvo Buses has opened the order books on a new full-size luxury coach to be built exclusively for the UK and Irish markets, following the signing of a new bodybuilder agreement with Spanish manufacturer, UNVI.
The new model was announced jointly by Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, and Eloy Pérez, CEO of UNVI.
Deliveries of the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL are anticipated to commence from Summer 2026. The new model will initially be offered as a 12.8m-long, 4x2 single-deck coach with a choice between 53 passenger seats, or 49 passenger seats plus one wheelchair space.
At the event Mr. Bondi stated: “This marks one of the most important new product announcements since I joined Volvo Bus UK & Ireland three years ago. A massive amount of work has gone into developing this new coach, from both Volvo and UNVI – it’s a hugely exciting moment.”
Commenting on the specification of the new model, he added: “An exceptional coach requires first class build quality, excellent chassis geometry, a smooth-riding suspension and a driveline offering industry-leading
performance and efficiency. That’s precisely what we bring with the B13R chassis – and when paired with this new UNVI body, we’re confident we’ve got a fantastic product which will set the benchmark for coach travel.”
Mr. Pérez explained further: “The scale of this opportunity with Volvo Buses is huge. From the first exploratory conversations with Domenico and his team last year, we knew we wanted to be a part of this project. It comes at an incredibly exciting time for UNVI. Whilst this year we celebrate 30 years in bus and coach bodybuilding, our eyes are always on the future. We have developed a hard-earned reputation for product quality, style and comfort – match it with the Volvo B13R chassis, and we have a truly winning formula.”
O N - BOARD PASSEN g ER E x PERIENCE
For maximum comfort and safety, passengers aboard the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL will benefit from Brusa Create 120 ‘top flair’ seating as standard. The reclinable seats each come with three-point seat belts, armrests for aisle seats, two-position footrests, a magazine net, tray back table, seat flaps and enhanced upholstery in automotive fabric and contrasting faux leather.
Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland (left), and Eloy Pérez, CEO of UNVI
Passengers are able to keep personal devices charged on the move with individual USB-A and USB-C charging sockets on the back of seats. The cabin will feature fabric curtains, generous overhead luggage stowage, plus interior and gangway LED lighting.
A powerful Thermo King climate control system ensures optimal temperature, with individual air vents, personal reading lamps, and speakers connected to the on-board Bosch AV system, which features twin AEC TFT 22” screens for customer entertainment. A courier microphone is located by the crew seat, and a driver’s microphone integrated into the driver’s seat. A diesel pre-heater is also included as standard.
For passenger convenience there will also be a Shades Technics centre sunken freshwater toilet, plus an estimated 9.5m3 of capacity in the main luggage compartment.
D RIVELINE PERFOR m ANCE
The new Volvo B13R UNVI XL is powered by the latest generation 13-litre Euro-6 diesel engine, and a 12-speed Volvo I-Shift transmission, providing overdrive top gear, fast gear shifting, low internal friction and software optimised to help coach operators save fuel.
The engine can deliver up to 500 hp and 2,500 Nm of torque, whilst guaranteeing impressive power in all driving
conditions and low engine revs when highway cruising, helping drivers to stay within the engine’s most economic operating range. With the option to run on either hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) or biofuel, operators can choose to improve their environmental performance even further.
Fuel savings of up to 9 per cent and exhaust after-treatment that reduces local pollutants to below Euro-6 requirements are also achieved from the new Volvo B13R, compared with the driveline in the previous B11R chassis.
This latest model also comes with the Volvo Active Safety Platform, compliant with EU GSR2 regulations. This is in addition to standard features including Lane Keeping Support, Collision Warning and Emergency Brake, and Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps to save fuel by optimising coach speed, gear changes and coasting to the topography, whilst maintaining a safe distance with vehicles ahead. It means drivers can use cruise control in more driving situations than ever before, to save fuel and reduce the vehicle’s CO2 footprint.
The Volvo Active Safety Platform also comprises safety systems including Driver Alert Support, Intelligent Speed Assist, Side Collision Avoidance Support, Front Short Range Assist, Lane Change Support, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
Behind the wheel, drivers can access a fully dynamic, full colour, integrated instrument cluster which allows them to select between different views – providing a superior overview of important vehicle information, whilst enhancing driver focus and control.
mANUFACTURIN g
Volvo Buses will assemble the B13R chassis at its factory in Boras, Sweden, one of the company’s most modern manufacturing facilities and accredited for relying solely on renewable energy for its operation. The chassis will be bodied at UNVI’s efficient 28,000 sq m production site in Ourense, Spain, before delivery to the UK for pre-delivery inspection.
UNVI is part of the Pérez Rumbao group, which employs 1,800 people and turned over more than €700 million in 2024. The group operates across passenger car and commercial vehicle dealerships, fuel retail sales, and bus and coach bodybuilding. UNVI runs from two manufacturing facilities, located in Spain and Portugal.
F ULL RAN g E
The new Volvo B13R UNVI XL joins Volvo Bus UK & Ireland’s existing line-up of bodied coaches, which already includes the 12.6m Volvo B8R MCV eVoTor single-deck coach, with a choice of 53 or 57 seats. For maximum passenger capacity, it is complemented by the Volvo 9700 double-deck 6x2 coach with Carrus Delta bodywork, available in multiple interior configurations and with vehicle lengths ranging from 13m to 14.8m.
A FTER m AR k ET S UPPORT
All Volvo buses and coaches delivered into service benefit from access to an 80-strong network of Volvo Truck & Bus dealer points spanning the UK and Ireland, plus extensive dealer coverage across Europe – for maximum customer peace of mind.
UNVI body parts will be held in stock and available for next day delivery via the Volvo Coach Parts Sales Centre in Loughborough, England.
Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie
New Bus & Coach sales by EVM Ireland
Lally Tours (Galway) has purchased its second new model Iveco Daily Revolution 33 seater plus guide, plus driver. Based on the Iveco Daily 72C18 3.0-litre diesel model, with a ZF 8-speed Hi-Matic automatic gear box.
Brigdale Coaches (Clarecastle, Co. Clare) has taken delivery of a new Isuzu Visigo 37 seater + guide + driver, from EVM Ireland, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, powered by a Cummins engine mated with a ZF Ecolife 6 speed automatic gearbox.
From its humble beginnings of a single minibus, the award-winning Brigdale’s has now blossomed to a fleet of over 25 vehicles, operating a most modern fleet of minibuses and coaches. Their fleet ranges in size from 14 to 54 seater vehicles, including a selection of wheelchair accessible minibuses. Handed over by Aiden Heavin, Sales Area Manager at EVM IRL.
Lally Tours is a family-owned and operated tour company located in Galway, along the Wild Atlantic Way. The firm has been showcasing the West Coast of Ireland to guests from all over the world since the mid-1980s and take great pride in providing top-class, personable and memorable experiences that are open and available for all to enjoy, from their Sightseeing Day Tours from Galway as well as West Coast Day Tours from Dublin. Handed over by Shaun McBride, Area Sales Manager at EVM Ireland.
Eamonn Deering Bus Hire (Co. Wicklow) bought this new Isuzu Grand Toro 35 seater plus driver and with PSVAR Prep. On the spec sheet includes a Cummins diesel engine and an Allison automatic transmission. The deal was conducted by Shaun McBride.
Eamon Deering Bus Hire, is an owner-operator, based at Dunlavin, County Wicklow.
New Milestone Mercedes-Benz Tourismo for Kennedy Coaches
New Volvo B8R 41-seat coach purchased by Patrick Kennedy (left) from Kennedy Coaches, Tralee, in celebration of the firm’s 75th anniversary. This long standing Volvo Bus customer has been specialising in luxury transport since
1950, and collected the vehicle from local Volvo Truck & Bus dealer – Murphy Commercials (Galway). It was handed over by Diarmaid Thompson, Volvo Bus National Accounts Manager for Ireland
New Scania Irizar i6S for Martin’s of Limerick
New 12.9m GSR compliant 53/55 seater Scania Irizar i6S, with demountable toilet and centre door for Martin’s of Limerick, bought from Westward Scania, Strokestown.
Hynan Travel featuring Munster Rugby
Another Mercedes-Benz three-axle Tourismo 61/63 seat coach, with denotable toilet in operation by Hynan Travel, Bilbao, Cappamore, County Limerick, featuring Munster Rugby livery, supplied by M50 Truck & Van Centre, Dublin
Diesel or Electric? When it’s comes to buses, what is the favoured method of propulsion? Is front door or middle door access best for wheelchairs?
Kilbeggan headquartered bus and coach distributors EVM is asking and answering these questions and more by undertaking market research to see what operators want.
For example, EVM is trialling a new bus, an Isuzu Nova City, with a low floor with specialist operators in Ireland. As it is not built in RHD (right hand drive) yet, the ‘left-hooker’ was put on the road, purely as a ‘stabbing the toe in the water’ exercise. Worldwide, there are 10,000 of these models in operation, so it obviously has market appeal.
Fleet Bus & Coach recently journeyed to the Westmeath town, famous for
First Drive: Isuzu Nova City
its distillery, on a lovely Spring day to see and experience the first drive in the Nova City. EVM’s Area Sales Managers for Ireland, Shaun McBride and Aidan Heavin had been taking the bus around to various Local Link operators and other potential customers. It’s a factory-built bus, with low floor and powered by an FPT Iveco engine (rear mounted Euro 6) and mated to Allison auto box. As an 8m long bus it is spacious, and on the test drive it proved to be manoeuvrable, with efficient pickup, making it ideal for Local Link and urban/interurban services. The driving position is functional, well positioned towards the front, and there are plenty of glazed areas where there are panels in other buses, which offer added assistance for the driver as blind spots are reduced. Both Shaun and Aidan reported positive responses from customer feedback.
Was the fact that it was diesel powered a discussion point? No, not really, according to Shaun, who emphasised: “Remember we are in the wake of a storm that left many parts of the country in the dark, so that may be a stark reminder to operators that the country is not yet ready for electric power.”
The Nova City has various passenger capacities, depending on operator preference. 60 seater versions with 21 seated, 39 standing or 21 seated, 1 wheelchair, 31 standing are available with full GSR compliance and other safety systems as standard. The demonstration LHD had a mechanical wheelchair lift at the centre door.
EVM’s Managing Director Danny McGee mentioned that the one area that presents a challenge is the position of the wheelchair lift. In Ireland and the UK, a wheelchair user must enter the bus at the front. Every other country in the world allows the wheelchair user to enter at either door, or more accurately allow the lift to be positioned at either door.
If Isuzu Bus was to build an RHD version in its Turkish plant, a modification would have to be engineered ahead of the front axle, to make the front door wider. It would also add one metre to the length of the bus, which would affect the manoeuvrability of the vehicle itself. It seems like some discussion around this regulation would be helpful, and
now might be a good time, with this Isuzu Nova City an ideal bus/vehicle to start that conversation. Certainly, those customers that have looked at the bus see no major issue with the door configuration. By the end of the demonstration tour, more opinions will have been gathered and maybe then a change could be made in the regulations.
Even if you don’t believe that what the climate crisis environmentalists are warning about is real, one cannot argue that the advantages of moving
to electric power or some other type of carbon free fuel is not a good idea, by offering cleaner air, more efficient vehicles and less maintenance.
The problem is that the total solution is not yet ready, full of half-baked proposals that are being pushed on consumers and business. Initial costs are still too high, and the infrastructure
is not anywhere near what is available for fossil fuels. Recently, we have had severe storms that left many parts of Ireland without power for up to a fortnight, something that will have a lasting influence on people’s buying decisions.
US President Donald Trump has made it very
clear in three words where he stands on fossil fuels: “Drill Baby Drill”. Diesel is here for the short to medium term and if the Government does not focus on policy, investments and incentives, it could be long term. In relation to the positioning of doors in the future, it’s time to consult and review. If Isuzu Bus decides to develop a RHD version of the Nova City, it seems like it will be a serious contender in the low floor market.
Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Tourline S
Featuring extensive luggage spaces at the rear of the bus and above the seats, effective heating and air conditioning systems and, of course, exceedingly comfortable seating for longer journeys.
• 16 passengers + guide + driver
• Full length luggage racks
• Full depth drop boot
• Panoramic double glazing
Wrightbus goes
‘Back to the Future’ in relaunching the Contour coach
Wrightbus is entering the coach market for the first time in more than 30 years with the launch of two new vehicles in the next 18 months. The first vehicle to hit the market is the Contour, a low-emission 55-seater coach. It’s a case of ‘Back to the Future’ for Wrightbus, which last produced a Contour coach in 1987 before retiring the vehicle.
The second vehicle, a zero-emission hydrogen coach which is currently under development in Ballymena, will be added to the Wrightbus coach range within the next 18 months to help drive decarbonisation of the sector.
The low emission Contour has a lead time of just six months from order, which is considerably faster than the current one-to-two-year average wait customers have come to expect from providers in the sector.
Featuring a Cummins Euro 6 400hp X-11 engine and a ZF automatic gearbox, the modern-day Contour has been built with comfort in mind with up to 55 reclining seats – each with its own USB port – alongside other modern safety features.
Competitively priced and available with or without PSVAR compliance, there is also the option of the vehicle being ‘pre-prepared’, protecting the vehicle’s ‘second life’ and flexibility. The coach has a range of bespoke options for customers to choose from and is designed to maximise luggage space and functionality.
Wrightbus has entered a five-year strategic partnership alliance with specialist vehicle manufacturer King Long to bring the Contour to market. It will be supported by a full Wrightbus warranty, alongside an unparalleled service and maintenance package from AllServiceOne, the Wrightbus repair and maintenance arm. With the largest fleet of mobile technicians, AllServiceOne is the ultimate one-stop-shop for fleet support and service.
Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said bringing the Contour to market was a pivotal move, commenting: “The coach market has changed over the last few years and it’s the right time for a new player to come to the market. We have long spoken about broadening our portfolio to offer customers an even greater range of Wrightbus vehicles. Our first entry into the coach sector after an absence of more than three decades is another significant step in our expansion plans.”
Jean-Marc added: “We know there are gaps in the market and the demand for coaches is growing. This partnership allows us to bring high-quality low-emission vehicles to market almost immediately. Throughout the process of readying the vehicle for our UK market, we have worked alongside our partner closely to ensure the Contour meets the exacting Wrightbus high quality standards that customers have come to
expect. Our AllServiceOne technicians have embarked on an extensive training program and have a full working knowledge of the coach to ensure excellent fleet support.”
At the end of January Wrightbus took the wraps off two new electric buses – a 6m and a 9m –launched under the County Antrim company’s new Rightech brand, with the aim of selling across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Rightech has already secured orders across the target territories, giving towns and cities more affordable options in the race to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Ryze Power, part of a portfolio of net zero companies run by Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford, will provide class-leading charging infrastructure and expertise, while W-Tech, the technology and research centre set up by Wrightbus in conjunction with Queen’s University Belfast, will help bus operators optimise routes for ultimate efficiency within the fleet.
The launch follows a period of record growth for Wrightbus, which was named the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe and now boasts 2,200 employees, with factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia and service centres in the UK, Northern Ireland and Germany.
Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Pictured at the launch were Dave Porter, Head of Coach Sales and Jean-Mar Gales, CEO, Wrightbus
APEX BUSES
Apex Bus Sales specialises in building bespoke Sprinter sized Buses to meet all your specific requirements - from Luxury Transport to Easy Mobility options
Tel: 087 7905391 For
information and to submit a
Temsa’s Second Coming into Ireland is happening
Turkish Bus & Coach Builder
Temsa is part of one of the biggest conglomerates in Turkey, Sanbanci Holdings. Employing over 40,000 people, much of its activities are in the auto-motive sector. The Temsa brand was created in 1968, and now a broad selection of buses and coaches, including a wide range of electric buses are produced in Adana. Temsa currently operates in all European markets, with a sales and service network.
While Temsa products have been available in Ireland for some time, the company has undertaken a new focus over here, with the appointment of Dermot Cronin Motors of Cork as a new sales and service partner.
Commenting on the new partnership at the CTTC Coach & Bus Show at the RDS last November, Paul Gardner, Regional Sales Manager for Ireland and the RHD (Right Hand Drive) markets said: “We are delighted to be working with Dermot Cronin Motors, as our new distributor in Ireland.”
long and respected history in coach operation and sales in the Irish market and we believe that this is the perfect partnership to grow the Temsa brand in Ireland.”
Selection of Coaches Cronin’s will offer three variants initially, all in the coach sector.
HD12 - 53 seats and a toilet (extra seats without toilet)
HD13 - 57 seats and a toilet (extra seats without toilet)
The long established Cork headquartered coach operator and dealer has hit the ground running on the signing of the new partnership agreement, with an initial order of thirty coaches to be delivered this Spring, ten of these going into Cronin’s own coach fleet. Company representative and member of the family business Niall Cronin says there has been considerable interest from other operators and most of the new coaches are already sold. By May, it is expected that new stock will become available.
Temsa Regional Manager, Paul Gardner stated that “Cronin’s have a
D ERMOT C RONIN M OTORS AND THE T EMSA PARTNERSHIP
The HD models are powered by DAF/ PACCAR engines and the MD9 uses a Cummins engine. Seating numbers can be increased or decreased according to operator’s specification, according to Niall Cronin, who added that there are lots of options and extras available to suit individual tastes and requirements.
T EST D RIVE ON THE T EMSA HD13
Fleet Bus & Coach was invited to put the HD13 to the test. On the day before storm “Éowyn” as the weather warnings were coming fast and furious, a visit was made to Donoghues of Galway to drive its new and recently delivered HD13.
Mentioning the deal Paul Gardner said: “Donoghues is a repeat customer of Temsa and is a high-quality, award-winning operator.” Donoghues now operates 10 Temsas: 3 x HD13, 2 x HD12, 2 x MD9 and 2 x Safari HD12 .
Based on the old Dublin-Galway Road, at Kilcolgan, the trial route chosen brought the coach into Oranmore and then onto the old road to Ennis, returning on the M18 Motorway to Gort, across to Loughrea and finally traveling back to Clarenbridge on the M6.
From the driver’s point of view, the coach is very steady on the road. It is well designed and ergonomically friendly as all switches are easily accessible in front of the driver. The speed limit clocks and dials within the cluster area are distinct, and there are some options for a driver to personalise it if desired. Also placed in a prominent position is the entertainment system and the switches for aircon/ heater controls.
While it may not suit every driver to allow the guide to control the switchgear for either entertainment or heater controls, they are well within reach from the guide seat. Visibility is excellent all around, aided by glass panels in the passenger door. As the windscreen is swept back, it improves the peripheral vision for the driver. The drivers’ side window allows for an easy stretch for coach parking tickets and conversation if needed.
As expected, the driver’s seat and steering column are both fully adjustable. In addition, two securable overhead lockers and some smaller storage areas are available to the crew.
Powered by a DAF/PACCAR MX-11 Euro 6E diesel, the HD13 is fitted with a ZF automatic (6+1) transmission and has
Donoghues opted for a 57-seat configuration with a toilet. Their passengers will appreciate that there are charge points at all the seats, which have three-point belts. The light and ventilation controls are easily reached by passengers, even with the seatbelt on. All coaches are PSVAR compliant, and the mechanism is easy to use. As with most coaches the toilet is situated at the middle door, which has wide access with a number of holding points and grab handles when passengers are using the steps.
F INAL I MPRESSION
On the eve of storm Éowyn, the wind around County Galway was blowing hard, particularly on the open and exposed sections of the motorway. Thankfully this Temsa was remarkably steady. With heavy rain for much of the journey it gave an opportunity to see how effective the wipers and demisters
many safety features as standard, such as Engine Brake, Exhaust Brake, ABS, ASR, EBS, AEBS, all giving extra confidence to the driver. On the road the coach has plenty of power and proved to be very responsive coming out of roundabouts where some power is needed. Available luggage volume is 11 cubic meters and there little or no obstruction when it comes to loading and getting the maximum use out of the space.
worked; both were efficient and effective. Operators should not be concerned about the pedigree of the Temsa as all the parts and components fitted are tried and tested and easily available if needed. Temsa, with its new focus in Ireland will make an impact, not least because of its competitive pricing. All in all, the Temsa HD13 is the ‘real deal’.
Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Located in South Galway and operating since 1966, Donoghues of Galway has grown from a small family run business to one of the biggest coach operators in the region. With a strong family emphasis at the core of the business, Donoghues continues to encompass and embrace the latest technologies in operation tools and vehicles to meet the changing environment to meet customer requirements. Always evolving, Donoghues are now transitioning from the second to the third generation.
A P ROUD H ERITAg E –A F OUNDATION FOR S UCCESS
When Michael (Miko) Donoghue and his wife, Margaret bought their first bus, a Volkswagen in 1966, little did they know they were starting a business that would survive and thrive through six decades, getting stronger and more successful as time passed. Coming from a farming background, they knew that hard work on its own did not guarantee success, but it certainly would help. In the early days, private hire was the foundation of the business. Bingo runs, trips to matches and school tours were the bread and butter for the Donoghues. As the company expanded, their son
Donoghues of Galway – Three generations of professional service with high standards
Joe became involved in the operation, having served his time as a mechanic, as the enterprise passed to the next generation.
Joe and his wife Marie took over the company in 2007, and were enthusiastic and ready to focus and concentrate on expanding the fleet and services to match the expanding customer base. Describing the company he had inherited from his parents, Joe said it had been built on the principles of reliability,
Undoubtedly one of the keys to the continued success is an ability to be flexible, being able move with industry trends and to adapt to customer requirements.
F LEET
With a diverse fleet in terms of size, scheduled maintenance is the key to reliability on the road. Being a mechanic, Joe is fully aware of the need for attention to detail when it comes
customer care, and safety.
Joe and Marie have continued to develop Donoghues on those same standards to the stage where, almost twenty years on, the business is now starting to transition to the next generation with their son Dylan now involved in the management of the company.
Although he grew up in the business, Dylan spent some time in college in Limerick and is now bringing fresh thinking and a modern perspective to the company. His experience as a driver guide and dealing with customers daily will help shape the future of the Donoghue Coach Hire business.
to repairs. While Covid-19 temporarily disrupted plans to have a regular vehicle replacement policy, since 2023 that aspect is back on track.
During Covid, a TEMSA coach was purchased to replace an older school bus. It inadvertently became a turning point in the vehicle selection process. This year three new vehicles will be delivered, including two TEMSAs. Now, there are nine TEMSAs in the fleet, including five bought new. Operating 22 school routes, the fleet is large and varied, giving Donoghue’s plenty of options in terms of seating capacity to meet customer requirements. For instance, for corporate and golfing tours
the vehicles are all equipped with Wi-Fi and USB charge points, seating configurations can be customised and/or tables fitted.
DAy TO DAy O PERATIONS
One of the strengths of the operation is diversification. While school services and the associated private hire work that comes with it is the basis of the operation, Donoghues also operates in different sectors. While almost all of the schools serviced are in the southeast part of Galway, Donoghues also boasts many corporate clients in the city and throughout the county.
As Dylan explained: “There is always something going on in Galway, such as the Galway races, Oyster festival, Arts Festival and Film Fleadh to name but a few.”
Galway has increasingly become a destination for cruise ships, which provides another revenue stream. Dylan added that the industry is always changing, as are customers’ requirements. He has noticed a change in the profile of tourists arriving in Ireland, with the size of groups reducing.
An area of tourism that continues to thrive is Private Golf Tours. Since Ireland hosted the Ryder cup at the K Club in 2006, this business has grown organically and with the hosting of the event in Adare Manor in 2027, extra business is guaranteed in the future.
Donoghues have always seen their drivers as a key part of the success of the company, with many of them trained, approved and certified by Failte Ireland. The company has been recognised by the industry, receiving two prestigious awards, Bus Operator of the Year – 2024 and previously Operator of the Year –Extended Tours at the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards.
Of course, it takes a well organised administration to keep this operation on the road, Marie Donoghue keeps the wheels turning with a staff of three
from the company headquarters near Oranmore.
COVID-19 – A C HALLEN g IN g T I m E
Covid-19 was a period in time that everybody will remember, but for those running a bus business, it brought challenges that were never experienced before. Donoghues were no different. Joe remembers the way it started slowly, school matches being cancelled, trips away being postponed and then from the steps of the White House, an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar making that famous announcement, effectively closing the country. Donoghues were largely closed for two years. Some school activity did take place, but it was inconsistent as rolling lock downs took place. As the vaccinations took effect and the virus slowly moved away, the next challenge was to re-start operations. Marie remembers that groups were reluctant to travel, with corporate clients having become used to video conferencing and working from home. Despite
out the other end intact, stronger and more focussed on the future.
D ONO g HUES IN THE F UTURE
Talking with Joe, Marie or Dylan about the future of the industry and their business, any concerns they have are completely rational, but overall they are confident about the road ahead. Operating from a new site since just before Covid, they have plans to develop it and get the most from it, including some non-connected activities. Plans are in place to build and transfer their maintenance activities there in the near future. Geographically they are well positioned at the halfway point of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dublin Airport is two hours away by motorway and both Shannon and Ireland West Airport (Knock) are less than an hour away. Of course, there are challenges, as staff, driver and mechanic numbers are not as readily available as in the past. There is a lot of uncertainty about how bus operators will become carbon neutral, with no clear and viable path to it at the moment.
In the past Joe was chairman of the CTTC, (Coach Tourism & Transport Council) and is confident that this is an industry problem and as such will be resolved by the trade associations. On a positive note, since Covid, Donoghues have seen organic growth in all sectors of their business and are confident that if they keep focussed on their customers and watch the trends emerging, their future is secure. From humble beginnings around a kitchen
all of these difficulties, Donoghues’ resilience and adaptability got the company back on its feet and on the road to achieving a full recovery. Practical and financial challenges were dealt with, while the help of various Government support schemes was an essential part of their survival. Thankfully Donoghues were one of the businesses that came
table a modern business has evolved and developed. As it moves into a third generation demonstrating as much enthusiasm, vision and efficiency as Michael and Margaret had back in 1966, it’s fair to say it’s in safe hands.
Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Public Transport & Buses - The Way Forward?
In recent comments, Ken Spratt, the Department of Transport Secretary expressed concern about Ireland’s ability to reach its carbon reduction emissions targets by 2030. He suggested that one way to accelerate a reduction in carbon footprint is to strongly encourage the use of public transport. Hardly the most original idea that has ever been mooted, but nonetheless still a very good strategy and definitely an effective way to improve efficiency and help the environment.
Moving people and commuters from the car to public transport has always been a challenge and will continue to be. It’s difficult to see how this shift will be achieved. One would be nervous that a Government feeling some pressure from the environmental lobby and a threat of fines from Europe would opt to legislate people out of their cars and onto public transport. Would encouragement and enticement not be a better option?
Of course it would, but we are not brilliant at that. Look at what happened to those who used grants to buy electric cars. The incentives soon reduced and sales dipped, some would say collapsed. Early converts to electric vehicles were left with a sour taste in their mouths as their value reduced in value and the promised supply of charging points did not materialise.
Getting back to public transport. There have been huge improvements, largely due to investment and strategic planning by the National Transport Authority (NTA). With the addition of new Local Link services in rural areas, smaller towns are seeing huge improvements in the amount of connectivity and frequency of services. Bus-Connect is starting to take shape in the cities and extra buses has seen improved frequency on many routes. So the question is, are these new services just giving a better service to existing public transport users, or are we seeing people changing habits and leaving the car at home?
I think this is what Ken was referring to when he was encouraging people to use public transport.
So, how can the habit be changed? Regular car users will find it a major inconvenience to change, requiring an earlier start, multiple walks, and maybe needing two journeys. Another issue is the exposure to our adverse weather. There are those who would make the change if a more relevant route were available. This is where the NTA and operators need to think a little. Let me give you an example from Limerick. If you live in Annacotty and worked in the Regional Hospital, there is a bus connection, but it goes into the city as part of the route and can take over an hour. A new state-of-the-art bus station has been built at the railway station in Limerick, but it services the buses going to the county and other provincial cities. While
some city services go close to the station, most do not.
Local private operators should be allowed to experiment with various routes and try and build demand. Employers could have an input. It will need some original and significant innovation and ideas to capture the imagination of commuters to change their habits. Some operators will remember the significant transformation that took place in the 1970s, when bus operators started weekend services from Dublin to the rest of the country. Operators like Jacksons of Cavan, McGinleys (Anthony) of Donegal, Martins of Cavan, Burkes from Tuam, Bartons of Maynooth, plus many others. All of these operators created a new market. Unfortunately, the States’ initial reaction was to try and close them down, using undercover Gardai to travel on the services. Soon it was discovered that most of the passengers were not taken from the then CIE, they were new takers to public transport.
New thinking, new ideas and more targeted services will be the foundation of any successful move from car to bus. While rail will play a part, it’s a long-term solution, buses are the short to medium way to offer a realistic alternative to the car.
Then again, we could be truly adventurous and follow the lead of authorities in Luxembourg and make public transport free. Now that surely would have an impact.
