We understand the difficulties that COVID-19 is causing for employees and companies.
Some operators have cancelled services or are running a reduced schedule. Many employees have changed working arrangements while others are still travelling to work on public transport.
We will update with information on operators as we get information. Please also check the operators' websites.
Public Operators - Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Irish Rail, Luas
Services
Services are running with changes to services and timetables:
COVID-19 Solutions
On 1 May 2020 the National Transport Authority announced a scheme for ticket extensions and backdated refunds subject to operators and companies terms and conditions. While the principles were agreed the processes needed to be developed.
On 12 August 2020 the National Transport Authority finally announced the details of the scheme and followed up with the FAQ's below:
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/annual-taxsaver-tickets-to-be-extended-by-six-months/
Six month ticket extensions
Any employees who had an active ticket for Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Irish Rail, Luas on 1 April 2020, and who have not requested a refund, will automatically be made available a new six month extension product. See the details below in the NTA's FAQ's for details of this.
TravelHub will notify employees who are being given extensions by the end of August 2020.
Employees should check their tickets before renewing and make sure that the renew their ticket based on their new ticket end date. Leap Cards should be registered on www.leapcard.ie if they have not already been registered.
Backdated refund requests
Employees may apply for a backdated refund request if:
- The operator is Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Irish Rail, Luas
- The employee's company processes refund requests.
- A refund has not already been applied for.
- The ticket is refundable under the Operators refund terms. See www.travelhub.ie/refunds
See our Refunds page for details of the refunds process and how to apply: www.travelhub.ie/refunds
Free Taxsaver Extension - Customer FAQ's from the National Transport Authority - V2 14th August 2020.
- Who benefits from this measure?
All customers who on April 1 2020, had a valid an annual TaxSaver ticket for Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services and who haven’t already sought a refund. This includes customers of Dublin Bus, Luas, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, and Go-Ahead Ireland. - What does the customer have to do now?
Nothing. The customer is not required to fill in forms or supply any details. Any customer whose ticket expires, and who has not already requested a refund, will automatically be provided with a new free ticket on their existing Leap card. This new ticket extends validity for six months from the date of expiry of their original ticket. - How does a customer “collect” their free ticket?
“Collecting” the new ticket is straightforward for the customer and is identical to the process already in place for TaxSaver tickets. Bus customers can collect it using their Leap Top-Up App or in a Leap Card retailer, while Luas and Iarnród Éireann customers collect it automatically as they travel. Applicable Bus Éireann Point to Point ticket holders will receive a new ticket by post to include this six month extension - When will I be able to collect my free extension ticket?
- For customers whose ticket expired on April 30th, May 31st, June 30th or July 31st 2020, we are planning to make the new free tickets available for electronic collection starting from Tuesday 18th August 2020. By the end of the week (Friday 21st) all tickets with past expiry dates should be issued. The new extension ticket will run for 6 months from the expiry date of your original ticket. For example, if your original ticket expired on 30th April, your extension will be valid until 31st October.
- For customers whose ticket expires in the coming months, their new six month free extension ticket will be available for collection the week before their existing ticket expires.
- Luas customers may see a delay of several weeks before their new ticket is available due to technological differences.
- As a customer, I have been using my TaxSaver ticket from time to time during travel restrictions. Do I qualify for this?
Yes. The six month free extension will be offered to ALL holders of an annual TaxSaver ticket that have not requested a refund. - As a customer, I renewed my annual TaxSaver since April 1 2020. Will I benefit?
Yes. The validity of your ticket will be extended at the time of its expiry next year. - As a customer, this extension does not suit me. Can I still seek a refund?
Yes. Where the customer wishes to receive a refund rather than avail of the free extension, it is still open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions. Some relaxation of the standard terms and conditions has been introduced to further assist our customers. This includes the facilitation of ‘backdating’ of refunds as far as April 1st 2020 as well as an allowance for minor use that may have occurred after April 1st 2020. [Note from TravelHub: See our Refunds page for details of the refunds process: www.travelhub.ie/refunds] - As a customer, I have been using my TaxSaver ticket from time to time during travel restrictions, but now I want a refund.
Where the customer wishes to receive a refund, it is still open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions. Operators will process the refund if the customer didn’t have “substantial” use. Substantial use is deemed to be more than 10 trips within any calendar month - As a customer, I have been made redundant since April 1. What do I do to get a refund?
You will need to contact your ex employer. Refunds will be made to the employer and the facilitation of repayment to the employee is a matter between employer and employee. - When will I receive my refund?
The processing of refunds is a manual task with each request requiring individual review. As there are a considerable quantity of refunds to be processed we envisage that this will take a good deal of time and ask for your patience. Refunds will be processed in order of receipt of request. - How long do I have to get in my refund request?
Refund requests subject to the special conditions (i.e. backdated to 1 April 2020 and minor usage allowed) will be accepted up to 31st Dec 2020. After that standard terms and conditions will apply. [Note from TravelHub: to give us time to process requests backdated refund requests must be placed by 20 November 2020] - If I have already collected my free extension ticket, am I still eligible to apply for a refund?
Yes. Even if you have collected your new ticket, you can still apply for a refund of the paid component of your ticket under the terms and conditions mentioned above, i.e. provided you haven’t been using the ticket for “substantial use”. - As a customer of a commercial bus operator, do these measures apply to me?
These measures do not apply to customers of commercial bus operators. We understand that many commercial operators are making a similar offer, but customers should contact them directly. [Note from TravelHub: See below for Commercial Bus Operators] - I have already received a refund. Do I benefit from the free extension?
Other than the refund you have already received, there is no additional benefit.
Copied from https://www.taxsaver.ie/News/Free-Taxsaver-Extension-Customer-FAQ on 14th August 2020.
Commercial Bus Operators and Ferry.
JJ Kavanagh
Services suspended. The Operator will add credit to the end of the ticket when services resume for the time that the ticket was suspended. No action required.
Ashbourne Connect
Services are running again.
https://tourinsideireland.com/
All tickets were paused when the operator was off the road. Employees have been emailed with options for unpausing. Please raise a support request if you need to get in contact regarding your ticket.
Burkes Bus
Reduced services are running. Check website and social media:
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
Martleys of Portlaoise
Services suspended. Martley's will add credit to the end of the ticket when services resume for the number of weeks that the ticket was suspended. No action required.
Kearns Transport
Reduced services are running. Check website and social media:
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
Dublin Coach
Services suspended. We are awaiting an update from the operator on arrangements.
Collins Coaches
Services have resumed. See the website for details.
All tickets were paused when the operator was off the road. Employees have been emailed with options for unpausing. Please raise a support request if you need to get in contact regarding your ticket.
Wexford Bus
Services are running. Any changes will be published on their website and social media.
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
Sillan Coaches
Services have resumed.
https://www.facebook.com/SillanCoaches/posts/3058646547488094
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
Carolan Coaches
Services have resumed.
http://www.carolancoachhire.ie/
Carolan Coaches were off the road. They have extended all tickets by three months. Employees have been email with details. Please raise a support request if you would like discuss your ticket.
Swords Express and Fingal Express
Some services are still operating. A timetable is published everyday on Facebook and on their website:
https://www.swordsexpress.com/
https://www.fingalexpress.com/
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
M4 Direct
Some services are still operating. A timetable is published everyday on Facebook and on their website:
Matthews Coaches
Services are operating. A timetable is published everyday on Facebook and on their website:
TravelHub were offering an option to pause tickets. If you login to www.travelhub.ie and click Ticket Pauses you can see if you paused your ticket. Please raise a support request if you would like to un-pause your ticket.
Cross River Ferries
Normal services are running. Normal policies apply.
Express Bus
On 13 March Express Bus posted this on their Facebook: "As of Monday and until Further notice we will be operating on a Bank Holiday schedule."
See www.expressbus.ie and https://www.facebook.com/expressbus.dublin for full details.