Dublin, 24 March 2026
Comments attributable to David Conway, Chairperson of the CTTC (Photo attached)
- While the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) welcomes the measures announced by cabinet today to offset rising fuel costs, we feel they do not go far enough. Coach and bus operators are face a challenging journey ahead, navigating a bumpy road of rising costs and tighter margins, underlining the need for further supports.
- The CTTC believes the increase in the Diesel Rebate Scheme to 12 cent per litre announced today is insufficient to address the pressures faced by passenger transport operators. Unlike other transport sectors, coach and bus operators cannot reclaim VAT, meaning they bear a disproportionate cost burden. For many operators, the reality is that prices up to the 24th of March resulted in them expending an additional 48 cent per litre when compared to other transport sectors that are vatable.
- Previously, passenger operators received a 34.5 cent per litre rebate. The CTTC is calling for a re-introduction of a higher rebate of 50c per litre under the scheme to reflect current cost pressures and ensure the sustainability of services.
- The pressures operators have had to endure over the past few weeks meant that some services were becoming unviable, with wider implications for school transport, tourism, and regional connectivity, affecting families, local economies, and Ireland’s ability to provide reliable and accessible transport options.
- Diesel prices have risen by approximately 60 cent per litre in recent weeks, contributing to an estimated €30 million annual additional burden across the sector. For many businesses operating on tight margins, the recent fuel price increases have resulted in very significant challenges.
- While we hope that today will relieve some pressure on members, the reality is that any escalation in the conflict will lead to sustained increases in fuel costs which will place significant strain across scheduled services, school transport, tourism, private hire and contracted passenger services, with growing risks to the viability of key rural and intercity routes.
- The CTTC is calling on Government to monitor developments in the Middle East and the effects on the global fuel supply chain. The organisation remains committed to engaging constructively to ensure that essential transport services can be sustained, and that fair pricing at the pumps remains a business reality.
The CTTC is Ireland’s largest representative body for coach touring companies and private bus operators. Its members are leading providers of scheduled services, international tours and school transport. The private bus sector carries more than 85 million passengers each year, supports approximately 11,000 jobs, and contributes over €600 million to the Irish economy.
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