Buses to help soccer fans ride out recession

WITH the Premier League season just around the corner, cash-strapped fans can avail ofrecession-busting buses to see their heroes in action.

With disposable cash in short supply these days, fewer football fans can fork out on a flight to Manchester or Liverpool.

However, Bus Éireann is again offering recession prices to home games at Old Trafford and Anfield for just €79 return, with students and children under 16 getting the deal for €69 return.

Public relations manager with Bus Éireann, Andrew McLindon, said the success of the service last year was the main reason for it being continued this year.

“It was very popular last year. Each bus offers around 50 seats and the majority sold out. We would advise customers to buy online as we expect the service to be just as popular again this year.

“Fans can now enjoy the comfort of coach travel from Dublin city centre to the homes of their heroes at a great value price and avoid the big costs of going to matches in England,” he said.

Liverpool fans can currently travel to Anfield for €79 return for the games at Arsenal (Sunday, August 15), West Brom (Saturday, August 28) and Sunderland (Saturday, September 25).

Meanwhile, fans of arch-rivals Manchester United, can travel to the Theatre of Dreams for €79 return for the games against West Ham United (Saturday, August 28) and Tottenham (Saturday, October 30). The services depart from Busáras in Dublin on Saturday mornings (Sunday morning for the Arsenal game) and arrive in Liverpool and Manchester in the afternoon via the Holyhead Stena Line sailing. It arrives back the following morning. If kick-off times are changed, Bus Éireann may not be in a position to provide transport and customers will receive a full refund.