20% cut to fares for all public transport operators from April

In a way, DB and BE should not be restricted in where they can tender for routes, no harm in some healthy competition even if it's between two semi-states.

That’s purely on their commercial Expressway services, which are not subsidised.

The fares on their PSO routes (the city, town, commuter and rural routes) are unaffected.

Well again Expressway is a commercial service, which is not subsidised.

Virtually all commercial operators have increased their fares in line with increasing costs over the past year.

They have to cover their costs unfortunately.

Fuel is only one cost, there’s still payroll and all other costs which will have increased with inflation.

Well the PSO services basically couldn’t operate without a State subsidy, while the market seems to be capable of accepting commercially set fare levels for Intercity routes.

If the commercial operators were not able to cover their costs they’d cancel the routes and then the question of whether replacement PSO services are needed would come into play.

There are examples of routes, such as the X8 between Dublin & Cork and others where Bus Éireann have withdrawn their commercial operation and they have subsequently been replaced with PSO services.

Ultimately that’s down to a government policy decision.

The 20% fare reduction on PSO services remains in place until the end of 2023. We will have to wait for the budget in October to find out what will happen then.

I can’t see that happening given CIÉ group manage the group pension scheme.

What innovation would there be if the NTA are calling the shots?

Most of the large transport operators in Europe are owned by foreign governments Transdev is part owned by the Frnech government, Arriva is Deutsche Bahn owned by German government, Abellio is owned by the Dutch government, RATP group is also owned by the French government. Look at all the UK rail operators nearly all owned by foreign government.

Maybe people would like to keep tax money within Ireland and not have it sent off to foreign governments in the name of "competition".

It's nothing to do with DB and BE anymore it's the NTA who are in charge of all public transport in Ireland now. Its them who need to step up and be more innovative.

The only things that they can list are

90 minute fare: DB had that pre NTA

Dual door buses: DB/BE had that before NTA

RTPI: technology didn't exist pre NTA

Funny how the NTA were founded in 2008 then distanced themselves when the government forced DB/BE to make cutbacks during the recession.

If DB/GAI/BE want to put on extra buses during say a concert they must first ask for permission from the NTA. Oh how conveniently the NTA only work office hours and concerts/events usually take place late at night or at weekends oh well guess folks will just have to walk or attempt to get a taxi if the buses are full.

Why does nobody want to drive a bus well it sure as hell isn't because the wages and conditions are brilliant their far from it. Who resources DB/BE/GAI oh that's right the wonderful NTA but we can't mention that. Just like how it's top secret how much the NTA are giving GAI and what are NTA top brass earning you can be damn sure it's a lot higher than the salary of a steering wheel attendant for DB/BE/GAI. But we can't be talking about dat.

Ahh this bit

Privates are only interested in Dublin-Cork/Limerick/Galway all the others aren't profitable to operate a regular service.

Is nonsense.

Privates run the Athenry- Galway (including the only night link in the county), and the best service between Tuam -Galway.

Dublin coach and JJK run all sorts of regular services in Limerick and the east outside Dublin/Cork.

And there are many more.