Bus Éireann has welcomed the Goverment's decision to cut public transport fares by 20% as part of measures to reduce the cost of living.
The bus company, which has seen a return of customers as the economy reopens and people return to the workplace, said the move will encourage more people to try their services.
Bus Éireann operates more than 200 PSO routes, including the city services of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, town services in Athlone, Balbriggan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan and Sligo.
It also runs regional and rural services across its extensive public transport network in the country.
Stephen Kent, chief executive Officer of Bus Éireann, said the company was seeing a good return of customers in recent weeks, "with town services and Limerick city fully back at pre-pandemic passenger numbers for example and the other cities at 75% or more".
"The Greater Dublin Area lags this growth, although town services have recovered, given that some commuting has reduced in line with remote working patterns."
He said the Government's move will encourage more people back to public transport.
"It offers a compelling reason for people to try our services as they look to avoid congestion, save money on fuel and motoring costs and dramatically cut their personal carbon footprints."
Mr Kent said following on the 50% fare for people aged 19-23 years, it is a clear sign that the Government sees the social and economic benefit in making public transport more attractive and accessible to all.
"With almost 90% of the population living within 5km of a Bus Éireann PSO stop, it is a really positive move and one that will make a difference."
Bus Eireann operates PSO services under contract with the National Transport Authority and the company is looking forward to working with the NTA to deliver the detailed implementation of this scheme for May.
"We will also work with the Department of Education to introduce the lower cap of payment per family for the 2022/23 school transport scheme which will also be a very valued initiative for many," Mr Kent said.
In 2019, Bus Éireann facilitated 89 million passenger journeys across PSO, Expressway and school services. The company supports more than 8,800 direct and indirect jobs, the majority of which are outside of Dublin, and generate €580m in industrial output.
