Petrol Price Hike Means Car Commuters Can Save Thousands of Euro by Switching to Bus

The recent rise of petrol prices to the €1.50 per litre mark means that commuters who travel to work by car could potentially save themselves thousands of euro by switching to the bus, according to figures from Bus Éireann. 

For instance, the annual cost of petrol for travelling between Kells and Dublin is an estimated €4,377*. This cost excludes standing charges, parking charges, toll charges and operating costs (servicing, oil, tyres and other repairs) during the year.

However, if that person was to take the bus between Kells and Dublin it would cost them €2,448 a year – a saving of over €1,900 – based on a weekly ticket purchase. Even further savings could be achieved – up to 52 per cent off the yearly cost of the fare depending on a person’s tax status – by signing up to the Taxsaver Scheme as these tickets are not subject to tax, PRSI or the Universal Social Charge.

In addition, someone travelling by car between Galway and Ballinasloe will spend €19 on petrol for every round-trip**. With Bus Éireann, it costs just €10.50 for a return journey between these destinations.

Car users could also have a month’s worth of travel on Bus Éireann’s City services for less than the cost of a tank of petrol. Galway, Limerick and Waterford city services offer an unlimited monthly city commuter ticket at just €55.00. Cork’s monthly ticket is good value at €62.00 for unlimited travel on its extensive city network. This compares with the potential cost of a tank of petrol of at least €67.50***.

When it comes to longer journeys, a couple could take a day trip such as Dublin-Athlone or Cork-Charleville with Bus Éireann for potentially half the cost of a tank of petrol. For example, two day return trips Dublin-Athlone cost €31.00 in total and two day return trips Cork/Charleville cost €20.00 in total.

Using the car to commute is getting more and more expensive. Switching to the bus saves you money and also takes the hassle and stress out of getting to work. Even leaving the car behind once or twice a week and taking the bus instead could cut your bills by hundreds of euro a year,” said Andrew McLindon, PR Manager, Bus Eireann.

Car users intending to switch to the bus can now view up-to-the-second bus arrival times for stops across the country via the Web or text at www.whensmybus.ie, which uses GPS technology to track the Bus Éireann fleet of vehicles.

Wednesday, 16th March, 2011