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Fuel crisis another “sucker punch” for coach tour industry

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By Sean Moriarty

Killarney-based coach tour and school bus operators say they are on their knees as a result of escalating fuel prices.

After two years of shutdowns as a result of the pandemic, the sector faces a new challenge as fuel prices hit record highs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Many local operators honoured pre-pandemic bookings but they were priced at 2019 costs.

School operators are also feeling the pinch with the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland threatening to pull school bus runs unless there is something done to cap the price of diesel.

O’Callaghan Coaches are one such local operator. The family run firm has described the fuel crisis as a “sucker punch” after two years of being parked up as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

The company also services several Killarney schools under a very competitive tender and contract scheme where there is very little margin for shock price increases in any part of the business.

“We are being crucified, we are on our knees,” Phillip O’Callaghan told the Killarney Advertiser. “The school situation is not a threat – it simply will not be possible for operators to keep buses on the road.”

Some large scale operators in the Killarney area are struggling to get supplies to their fuel tanks in their depots and are resorting to filling buses and trucks at regular filling stations.

This increase in demand at the forecourt will eventually cause supply issues for motorists.

Nationally there are reports of fuel trucks being turned away from Whitegate, near Bantry, Ireland’s only refinery, as there is not enough fuel there to meet current demand.

HITCHHIKE

The situation is so bad that a Killarney worker had no option but to thumb to work due to rising fuel costs.

Kilgarvan councillor Jackie Healy-Rae picked up a young college student who was thumbing to work this week.Fuel prices are at a record high price at the cost of diesel could soon be over €2 a litre. It is likely to get even worse as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.Healy-Rae said the youngster could no longer afford to put fuel in his car and have money left over for himself.“This is a young fellow heading to work in the hospitality sector in Killarney, he is working to pay his way through college. He was explaining to me that it is just not feasible to put petrol in his car and he started thumbing to work,” Cllr Healy-Rae told the Killarney Advertiser.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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