The Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) met with Minister of State for Transport, James Lawless TD, this week to address pressing concerns and present recommendations ahead of the upcoming Budget for 2025.
During the meeting which was held at the Department of Transport, Executive members David Conway and Brendan Crowley outlined several key issues impacting the commercial bus and coach sector.
The discussion centred on aligning public and commercial services with a 20% fare reduction, extending VAT71 relief to support the transition to low-emission vehicles and enhancing transport infrastructure to encourage a shift from private car use to public transport.
The CTTC’s Key Budgetary asks include:
· Align public and commercial services with a 20% fare reduction to boost accessibility.
· The extension of VAT-71 relief
· Improving transport infrastructure, including bus prioritisation, mobility hubs, EV charging facilities.
· Supporting operators with grant aid to comply with new tachograph changes.
