The digital environment is now. The coach and transport industry in Ireland stands at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the dual challenges of decarbonisation and evolving passenger demands.
William Martin, chairman of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC), said there is a clear roadmap for the sector’s future, and it is one that emphasises collaboration, innovation and strategic policy advocacy.
Specifically, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a cornerstone of the CTTC’s sustainability strategy.
However, Martin said, there are significant hurdles. “The primary challenges in EV adoption within the bus and coach sector include new vehicle costs, and inadequate charging infrastructure.”
The lack of a comprehensive charging network, particularly for long-distance routes, poses a formidable obstacle. To bridge this gap, the CTTC is actively engaging with decision-makers, advocating for “greater investment in bus and coach charging infrastructure across the country, particularly for larger vehicles that require high-capacity charging solutions”.
Furthermore, securing “grant funding under the Alternative Energy HGV Grant Purchase Scheme” is crucial to enable operators to make the shift, he said.
Combined, these measures should go a long way towards decarbonising the national bus fleet, he said, but operators need to be supported adequately to make the transition and, while electrification remains the long-term objective, the CTTC believes there is an immediate need for viable alternatives.
Among those proposed by the council is biofuel.
“HVO [hydrogenated vegetable oil] presents a viable alternative fuel for coach operators in the short- to medium-term, allowing for immediate reductions in carbon emissions without the need for extensive vehicle modifications,” Martin said, pointing to a potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to traditional diesel.
As a result, the CTTC is advocating for greater accessibility to HVO fuel supplies and financial incentives to offset its higher costs.
This approach is driven by an acknowledgement of the current limitations of EV infrastructure.
Notably, many operators have already begun trying out HVO as part of their sustainability strategies. At a national level, there has been some cross-sectoral engagement too, with the CTTC exploring opportunities for deployment with the Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA).
Modal shift
However, new fleets of coaches and buses alone cannot reduce Ireland’s emissions. For that to happen, people need to be encouraged to take public transport and, indeed, to use ‘active transport’ such as cycling.
In a context where fewer people drive in private cars, the possibility for reductions in emissions is significant: according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), transport is by far the largest source of energy-related CO2-equivalent emissions in Ireland, accounting for 34 per cent in 2023.
11,000 people are gainfully employed in the sector with over 1,000 operators traversing the country daily
Interestingly, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, transport energy use fell by 26 per cent. This suggests that the goal today should be to allow people to move to and from where they need and want to get to, but to do so using less energy, and emitting fewer emissions.
To encourage a shift towards more sustainable transport options, the CTTC is pushing for comprehensive reforms of policy.
“CTTC is calling for policy reforms to incentivise greater use of public transport, including a 20 per cent reduction of bus fares for commercial operators on licensed routes, and greater grant funding to enable operators to purchase newer, more sustainable fleets,” Martin said.
Infrastructure development is also a priority.
“Of key importance is the development of bus and coach infrastructure to ensure passenger journeys are fast, efficient and comfortable,” Martin said.
This includes “enhanced coach parking around Dublin city – particularly during large-scale events – Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) to ensure time efficiencies and next generation ticket payment systems on buses”.
The CTTC also advocates for seamless integration between different transport modes.
“Improved integration between different transport modes, such as the acceleration of shared mobility hubs, where different modes of transport such as car-sharing and bike-share facilities are provided, and better coordination between rail and bus services, is essential to encourage the modal shift,” Martin said.
Sharing space
The cumulative effect of such a modal shift would be to reduce congestion and help the country meet its emission targets, but there are potential local benefits, too.
The council also actively collaborates with local authorities to enhance transport infrastructure, Martin said.
“The CTTC, and our members, actively engage with local authorities to advocate for dedicated bus corridors, improved road infrastructure, and additional parking facilities for coach operators.”
The organisation has achieved notable successes in its advocacy efforts, he said.
“Over my two years as chairperson of the Council, the CTTC has successfully campaigned for coach parking facilities in Dublin over the weekends, at the airport, and for large scale events such as concerts and matches.”
The CTTC has also secured support for HVO deployment in buses and coaches, fuel grants for school transport provision and achieved a reduction of age for school transport drivers, something he said has “helped enormously” with talent acquisition.
The body also measures the economic, social, and environmental contributions of the coach tourism and transport sector.
“CTTC regularly conducts economic impact assessments to quantify the contribution of coach tourism, scheduled services, school transport and private hire to Ireland’s economy, including employment and revenue generation,” Martin said.
“Of its own accord, the coach tourism industry is responsible for attracting two million international visitors to Ireland annually, with the bus sector boasting of 80 million passenger journeys every year. 11,000 people are gainfully employed in the sector with over 1,000 operators traversing the country daily.”
Looking ahead, the CTTC’s key priorities for the next five years include continued infrastructure investment, achieving support for clean and green initiatives, and making public transport a real and viable option for passengers.
The organisation will continue to advocate for greater financial incentives for fleet modernisation, expanding the availability of alternative fuels, and ensuring the development of critical infrastructure, Martin said.
The aim is to drive a sustainable and efficient transport sector in Ireland, fostering collaboration and advocating for policies that benefit both operators and passengers.
The goal is simple, if not necessarily easy: to enhance passenger affordability, advocate for industry-friendly reforms, and promote coach and bus travel as a central pillar of Ireland’s sustainable transport strategy.
“Key objectives include securing greater financial incentives for fleet modernisation, expanding the availability of alternative fuels and ensuring the development of critical infrastructure such as Quality Bus Corridors, shared mobility hubs, bus parking, and EV charging stations,” said Martin.