CTTC continues to lobby Government for support

The Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) met again with Ministers Ross & Griffin to continue lobbying for Government support.

From the announcement that Government restrictions on people and businesses will continue until 5 May has seen that the majority of operators in Ireland’s private coach and bus sector continue to suffer the shattering economic consequences of the current crisis. Even after 5 May, or whatever revised date is chosen, it would appear that any relaxation of restrictions will be staggered and include imposition of segregated distancing, the effect of which will reduce passenger seating capacity and have the knock on effect of increasing operator costs.

The Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) representing the private passenger transport sector (coach and bus) is a member of a  COVID19 Tourism Monitoring Group  that, along with Department officials and Tourism State Agency CEOs, met last week for the fourth time via video conference, which was jointly chaired by Ministers Ross and Griffin.

“The CTTC has continued to lobby for Government supports in the areas of liquidity and cash flow. The current supports available to operators are by way of the provision of additional credit. These measures are of no use to a sector that has minimal income and limited potential for future revenue to service its existing dept without taking on the addition burden of further indebtedness,” commented John Halpenny, Chairman, CTTC.

“Support from the European Union (EU) must also be forthcoming and the Government must ensure that some of €500 billion economic aid package negotiated last week amongst EU leaders is to support this vital sector,” he concluded.