Congestion costs Bus Eireann €50m in three years

TRAFFIC congestion has cost Bus Éireann €50 million over the last three years, according to a report submitted to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.

Last year alone the company lost €19.2m because of gridlock on inter-city and urban routes nationwide. The bulk of the money went on extra fuel, overtime for drivers and hiring private buses to compensate for schedule delays.

The report, compiled by consultants BDO Simpson Xavier for Bus Éireann and submitted to Mr Brennan’s department in the past few days, warned congestion will get worse because of continuing road works.