Bus Éireann ticket prices don’t add up

Can someone explain to me the logic of Bus Éireann ticket prices?

Because my journey from Limerick to Skibbereen, last weekend, was broken in Cork, a ticket which should have cost €40 return (Limerick to Skibbereen), was subject to a €12 surcharge.

This consisted of a €22 ticket — return from Limerick to Cork — and a €30 ticket — return from Cork to Skibbereen.

Not alone is the Cork-to-Skibbereen portion of the journey more expensive than the Limerick-to-Cork route, but, in checking at Cork bus station on my return, it also is more expensive than the Cork-Dublin service operated by Bus Eireann.

What is the logic of this pricing policy? Dublin is three times the distance from Cork that Skibbereen is from Cork.

Why are people in rural Ireland, and tourists, being penalised in this manner?

Patrick Coleman

Rathkeale

Co Limerick