20/04/11

MC CARTY REPORT IS A GREAT DAY FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SAYS PRIVATE BUS AND COACH OPERATORS

Release to: Coach Journals
Date: April 2011
Title: McCarthy report is a great day for public transport says private bus and coach operators

The McCarthy report marks a great day for public transport, says the Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC), the umbrella group for Ireland’s private bus and coach operators.

“At last, we can look forward to a proper public transport system in Ireland, without the CIE monkey on our backs,” says Gerry Mullins, Chief Executive of the CTTC.

“Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus together cost too much money, and their presence hampers the development of quality bus services in Ireland. For nearly 80 years Ireland has poured billions of euro into this failed system. The result is one of the most car-dependent societies in the developed world. Today’s report marks the point when the Government must start looking for a better public transport model, which will involve a far greater use of private operators.

“McCarthy calls for the disposal of CIE Tours International. We agree. Why should the State be running a coach touring company?

“McCarthy calls for the disposal of Expressway and other bus businesses competing directly with private operators. We have called for this for years. Why should the State spend borrowed money from Europe in order to compete with an Irish company that pays tax to it?

“McCarthy calls for a limit to the level of public subsidy, presumably for the CIE companies. We believe the annual payment of €49m given to Bus Eireann per year, and €83m to Dublin Bus is a waste of taxpayers’ money. In many cases the private sector would provide the same services without a subsidy, and in the remainder of cases on a much reduced subsidy. The saving to the State would be in excess of €60m per year.

“The CTTC calls on the Government to implement the recommendations of the McCarthy group immediately,” says Mullins.