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Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company, is advising customers of updated guidelines under Level 5 of Ireland’s Plan for Living with COVID-19 which will come into effect from midnight tomorrow (Wednesday).

Under Level 5 restrictions Bus Éireann and Expressway services will operate at a capacity of 25% and Government advice for Level 5 restrictions is that public transport should be avoided. All travel should be limited within a 5km radius, unless the travel is essential - that is for work (when not possible from home), education and other essential purposes. Capacity is now limited to 1 in 4 seats and passengers are advised that these seats should be reserved for essential workers, to observe capacity signage on board vehicles and continue the mandatory wearing of face coverings on all services.

Importantly, passengers are advised under no circumstance to use public transport if they are experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms, nor should public transport be used to travel to or from a COVID-19 testing centre.

“Customers will see the capacity limit of each vehicle clearly marked on the door,” Allen Parker, Bus Éireann Chief Customer Officer, said. “We are working hard to try to provide transport for essential journeys and frontline workers, as we have done throughout the pandemic. Whilst capacity on-board is now limited to 25%, there will be no change to our timetables at this time.

“Bus Éireann would like to thank our customers for their high compliance rate with all COVID-19 restrictions on board our services to date. We are aware that increased restrictions can be frustrating for our passengers and we would like to take this opportunity to ask for their continued understanding and respect for all our frontline employees, including our drivers and supervisors. We will continue to work tirelessly to deliver essential public transport services to those who need to travel and look forward to the continued support of our customers as we all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Bus Éireann fully adheres to all public health guidelines and is committed to ensuring the continued safety and well-being of its employees and customers observing many precautionary measures including; the mandatory wearing of face coverings, vehicle deep cleaning, touchpoint cleaning throughout the day and protective screens and personal protective equipment for drivers. Bus Éireann encourages customers to use Leap Cards, Automatic Ticket Machines and online ticket purchase to minimise the use of cash. Tickets can be purchased at www.buseireann.ie.