Bus Éireann may cut regional routes as demand falls

The chairman of Bus Éireann says the company’s review of potential service cuts will look at reducing costs beyond its Expressway routes.

Aidan Murphy warned that there was not enough demand in some regions for its services, and that “to run a service to pick up one or two customers just isn’t possible”.

He was speaking in Cork, where he announced a €3.5m investment in Bus Éireann’s Cork fleet.

“We consult as widely as possible where we can and advise our customers of what’s being looked at, and we try to drum up support for the routes,” he said.

“If enough people use the routes, then we won’t have to bypass towns.”

Bus Éireann confirmed a number of services on its Expressway network are under review. The company said the services affected are self-funded and not related to the services it operates under a public service obligation contract for the State.

Plans are under way to reschedule the number of stops serviced on the Dublin to Cork route 7 service and the Dublin to Rosslare via New Ross and Waterford route 5 service.

Siptu has said a lack of investment in the public transport system could lead to “industrial conflict”.

The union said that Bus Éireann is at a disadvantage when competing against private operators as it provides a pension provision for workers and cannot operate below cost.

This, in turn, has led to private operators replacing Bus Éireann on some routes, and receiving the public service obligation subsidies from the State, it said.

Farming and rural community groups condemned the review as “a further attack on rural Ireland”.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association rural development chairman Billy Gray said any cuts would disproportionately affect rural dwellers in many parts of Ireland, and come on top of bank, post office, and Garda station closures.

A Department of Transport spokesperson said the routes under review are not State-subsidised and any changes to the routes are a matter for Bus Éireann.