Conditions of Carriage

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE

PASSENGER TICKETS - GENERAL CONDITIONS

All passenger tickets, whether sold on the bus at time of travel or in advance online or other authorised ticket agencies or issued by Bus Éireann under the School Transport Scheme, are issued subject to the bye-laws, regulations and conditions contained in the publications and notices of or applicable to Bus Éireann. Purchase of a ticket is deemed to imply acceptance of these conditions.

Tickets issued by Bus Éireann for PSO (Public Service Obligation) services are valid on Bus Éireann PSO services only and are not valid on Expressway services.

Tickets which are valid for travel on the services of other transport companies are in addition subject to the conditions of carriage of the respective transport companies concerned. Such tickets are issued by Bus Éireann as agents for such other transport companies and Bus Éireann and/or its staff are not liable in the event of any failure by other transport companies to operate as advertised.

Tickets issued by Bus Éireann are not transferable. Break of journey is not permitted except at interchange points for completion of journey by another bus on the same day.

Claims for refunds in respect of unused tickets will be considered solely at the discretion of Bus Éireann and will be subject to such administration charges as Bus Éireann may deem appropriate. No refunds will be made on partially used tickets in any circumstances.

Passengers boarding at intermediate points not listed on the schedule of fare stages will be charged as from the previous listed stage point. Passengers alighting between two listed fare stages will be charged the fare to the next listed stage point.

Passengers are obliged to pay the proper fare for their bus journey. If a passenger refuses or omits to pay his fare, he/she must give his/her name and address to the driver or conductor if so required. If he/she fails to do so, or gives false or misleading details, he/she may be detained until the arrival of the Garda Síochána and in that event, may be liable to prosecution.

Passengers who override their fare shall be deemed to have exhausted their entitlement to travel at the stage point at which their fare expired. Any travel which they take beyond that point shall be treated as a new journey and passengers will be liable for the appropriate fare from that point to the intended destination.

Every effort is made to ensure accommodation on buses for ticket holders but no liability or responsibility is accepted by Bus Éireann for the inability of a passenger to use a ticket on any particular bus if there is insufficient accommodation on that bus.

Tickets must be retained for inspection and must be produced for inspection on request by any authorised official of Bus Éireann. Tickets must also be surrendered if and when requested by any authorised official of Bus Éireann.

All tickets are valid for travel as indicated by the fare paid and/or other details printed on the tickets at time of issue. Passengers are obliged to ensure that these details are correct in respect of the journey intended. If a ticket is spoiled or tampered with, it will be invalidated, and if a passenger travels with it, he/she will be considered to have travelled without a ticket. In such circumstance, the passenger will be obliged to pay the full fare for the journey undertaken. Bus Éireann reserves the right to suspend or withdraw the issue of tickets of a particular category or at a particular fare on any route or section of route as may be notified from time to time.

Minimum fares are charged on certain bus services as notified from time to time.

We advise passengers travelling on all our Airport services to plan to arrive at least three hours prior to their scheduled flight departure.

BUS ÉIREANN PASSENGER TICKETS - CATEGORY VALIDITY

Ticket payment methods

Leap: Transport for Ireland Adult, Young Adult, Student and Child Leap cards may be used to purchase tickets for travel at discounted Leap fare rates on all Bus Éireann public services. Visit our Leap Card page for further information on applying for and using a Leap card on Bus Éireann services.

TFI Go App: Adult, Young Adult/Student and Child mobile-tickets may now be purchased at discounted fare rates on the Transport for Ireland TFI Go App. Visit our  TFI Go page for further information on downloading and using the app.

Cash: is accepted for Adult, Young Adult/Student, Child & Family ticket purchase on-board bus or from ticketing vending machines. To avoid delays, please try to have the exact change to pay for your fare. Card payments may be made at ticket vending machines only.

Online: Adult, Young Adult/Student, Child & Family tickets for selected point-to-point options may be purchased online at the Bus Éireann website. Customers are issued with a warrant, which must be presented to the driver to be exchanged for a valid ticket.

Children

Under 5’s:
Bus Éireann PSO (City, Commuter & Stage Carriage Services): Children under five years of age will be carried for free on City, Commuter and Stage Carriage services, as long as they are accompanied by a responsible person or persons aged 16 years or over in possession of a valid ticket or pass.

Cash Fare: Children under sixteen years of age may avail of Single, Return and 10 Journey tickets at Child fare rates.

Leap Fare: Children under sixteen years of age, who are in possession of a non-personalised Child Leap Card 5 -15 Years and children under nineteen years of age, who are in possession of a Personalised Child Leap Card 16 – 18 Years, may avail of Leap single fares and Leap products at Child rates.

Unaccompanied Children: aged between 5 and 11 years, will be carried on any service, where the journey is less than 30kms in distance, as long as the journey is before 7pm.

In order to travel on any service after 7pm or on any service journey greater than 30kms in distance, children under 12 years of age MUST be accompanied by a responsible person aged 16 years or over Children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person or persons aged 16 years or over in possession of a valid ticket or pass on all services, irrespective of distance or time of day.

Where doubt exists as to the eligibility of a child for unaccompanied travel, it is the responsibility of the passenger claiming such eligibility to produce evidence of age

As safety is our main priority, all passengers including unaccompanied children must wear a seatbelt at all times where the service requires it and seatbelts are provided.

Young Adults/Students

Cash Fares: Single, Return and 10-Journey Tickets are issued at discounted student fare rates to young adults and students who qualify as follows:

  • young adults and students aged 19-25 years, who are in possession of a Young Adult Leap card.
  • students aged 16-18* and 26 years and above in full-time third level education, including further education and training, who are in possession of a valid Student Leap Card.
  • students who are in possession of a Translink yLink card.

Please note that ISIC and college ID cards are no longer accepted as valid Student ID for the purchase of concession tickets at student rates.

Student tickets are subject to the same validity conditions as standard tickets.

Leap Tickets: Leap Single, 24 Hour Rolling and 7 Day Rolling products are issued at discounted student Leap fare rates where available on Leap-enabled services, to holders of a Young Adult Leap Card or Student Leap Card.

See leapcard.ie for full details on Young Adult/Student Leap Card eligibility.

Young adults (19-25), students and children in possession of the appropriate Leap Card are now entitled to half-price Leap Single fares on Bus Éireann public services.

*Note: Based on age and student status, third level students aged 16-18 years may qualify for both the Child 16-18 Leap card and the Student Leap Card. For travel on Bus Éireann public services, the recommended card is the Child Leap Card (16-18) as it offers cheaper fares. For travel on Expressway services, the recommended card is the Student Leap Card as it allows the holder to avail of the half-price student online discounted fares. It is possible to apply for both cards on leapcard.ie.

TFI Go App:

Following a successful launch of its new Mobile Ticketing “M Ticketing” App called the “TFI Go App” in 2021, the National Transport Authority has extended the app to all Bus Éireann public (PSO) City, Town, Stage Carriage and Commuter services.Customers may now purchase Adult, Young Adult/Student & Child Single, 2 and 10 Journey tickets on their smart phone prior to boarding all public services:

Key Features of the TFI Go App

  • 1, 2 and 10 Journey tickets available
  • Selected Zonal tickets now available
  • Search for a ticket between your route origin and destination.
  • Zonal tickets are available for Bus Éireann city services in Cork, Limerick, Galway & Waterford and for commuter services in the Greater Dublin Area.
  • Buy and download tickets directly to your phone.
  • Save a payment card for faster purchases.
  • Activate ticket before boarding and just show the driver your ticket.
  • Tickets valid for 28 days after purchase

Fares

Fares for the TFI Go App tickets are as follows:

  • Single M-Ticket = Leap Single standard fare
  • 2 Journey M-Ticket = Leap Single x 2
  • 10 Journey M-Ticket = (Leap Single standard fare x 10) or cash 10 Journey fare, whichever offers the best value
  • Zonal tickets = as priced for corresponding Leap standard fare single tickets and multi-journey products

Combined with the recent launch of the “Leap Top Up App” for iPhone, the launch of the “TFI Go App”, selling Single, 2 Journey and 10 Journey ticket’s, significantly increases the ability of customers to pre purchase tickets before boarding their bus and will reduce the number of on-bus cash ticket sale

Cash/Ticket Vending Machine/Online Tickets:

Single Tickets are valid for one single journey on date of issue as shown by fare paid and/or other details on the ticket.

Return Tickets are valid for one outward and one inward journey only; they are not valid for two journeys in the same direction.

Ordinary Return Tickets (monthly validity) are valid for one outward journey on date of issue as shown by fare paid and/or other details on the ticket, and for return journey for up to one month from date of outward travel.

Day Return Tickets are valid for one outward journey on date of issue as shown by fare paid and/or other details on the ticket, and for return journey on the same day. Passengers who wish to return on another day will NOT be issued with excess fares tickets.

Family Return Tickets, valid as Ordinary Return tickets, are issued to family groups consisting of one or two adults and up to a maximum of 3 children under 16 years of age. Family fares are calculated at twice the ordinary return fare subject to a minimum chargeable fare. Family Return Tickets are not available on cross-border services.

Weekly (10-Journey) Tickets are valid for 10 journeys as specified, and as shown by fare paid and/or other details on the ticket, for a period of seven consecutive days inclusive of date of issue and including Sundays. For example, a Weekly Ticket issued on Tuesday is valid up to and including the following Monday. When a public holiday falls within the period of validity of a 10-Journey ticket, the expiry date is automatically extended by one day without endorsement of ticket.

Where doubt exists as to the eligibility of a child claiming reduced fare travel, it is the responsibility of the passenger claiming such eligibility to produce evidence of age.

In all cases where concession rate tickets are issued on production of the appropriate card or document showing entitlement to the concession, such card or document must be produced for inspection on each occasion on which the ticket is tendered for travel. Where Young Adult/Student/Child ID Cards or other concession entitlement documents are used after the due expiry date, or are transferred to another person, or are fraudulently used in any other manner, they will be confiscated. In such cases the appropriate full fare must be paid for the journey undertaken.

Tickets issued at special reduced return fares, or for special services not listed in the published timetables, are valid in accordance with special conditions as advertised and notified from time to time.

Tickets issued in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and Dublin bus are, in addition, subject to the Conditions of Carriage of Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus.

TAXSAVER TICKETS

As a result of Government legislation Employers can purchase monthly and annual/yearly Taxsaver Commuter Tickets on behalf of their Employees.  Companies can save up to 10.75% in PRSI while employees can save between 28.75%-52% in Tax, PRSI and USC on the cost of their travel.

The Employer acknowledges that passes issued to it under the Taxsaver Scheme are non-transferable and specific to employees for whom they are purchased.  The Employer covenants and undertakes to procure compliance with this condition by its employees who are provided with passes by the Employer under the Taxsaver Scheme. 

All refund requests should be submitted by e-mail to taxsaver@buseireann.ie. Leap Cards may be kept for personal use after product cancellation. All point to point passes must be returned by the Employer to Bus Éireann with a cover note on the Employer’s headed paper outlining the reason for the refund application to : Bus Éireann Taxsaver Section, Room 10, Main Building, Broadstone, Dublin 7.

No refunds/credits will be given for monthly passes unless unused and cancelled by the fifth day of the month. There are no partial refunds on monthly tickets.

All refunds/credits for annual passes must be made by the fifth day of the month, with no usage, at any time, during or after the first of that month, for it to be included in the refund. There’s no refund on annual passes after 9 months use.

All Leap Card replacements are made through https://about.leapcard.ie/card-replacement-refunds. All point to point replacements are made by e-mailing taxsaver@buseireann.ie.

SERVICES OPERATED JOINTLY WITH ULSTERBUS AND EUROLINES

Tickets issued for travel on services operated by Bus Éireann jointly with Ulsterbus Ltd. are subject, where applicable, to the conditions of carriage and ticket validity regulations of Ulsterbus Ltd.  Additional special conditions apply to tickets issued by Bus Éireann for travel on international coach services to Britain and Europe.  These conditions are contained in the relevant publications detailing such international services.

Additional special conditions also apply to School Transport Scheme Travel Tickets issued by Bus Éireann and to Free Travel Passes issued by Department of Social Protection, Department of Defence and Department for Regional Development (Northern Ireland).  These special conditions are printed on the relevant Travel Tickets and Free Travel Passes as appropriate to each Scheme.  Holders of the foregoing categories of tickets and passes are deemed to be fully aware of the conditions of validity applicable in each case and, in particular, that all such tickets and passes must be produced for inspection on request by a driver or other authorised official of Bus Éireann.

CUSTOMS/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

In order to comply with customs and/or security requirements it may be necessary as directed for passengers to alight from coach at ferry terminals, coach stations or other locations to have luggage checked and to present suitable identity documents for verification. All passengers shall be deemed to be fully acquainted with customs, police, security, censorship and immigration requirements applicable to international travel.

In the event of passengers being unable to satisfy the requirements of the relevant authorities before the departure time shown in the published timetables, services will not be delayed. Bus Éireann shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay or expense arising as a result of such delays or inability to complete a journey.

TIMETABLE

While every effort is made by Bus Éireann to ensure the full operation of all bus services advertised by it at all times, Bus Éireann will not be liable for any delay or interruption in any of its services where such delay or interruption is caused by reason of matters beyond its control, including, without limitation, interference by labour or industrial dispute, machine break-down or interruption in supply by others of power, materials or finished goods.

Bus Éireann services may be subject to alteration or cancellation without notice for reasons beyond the control of Bus Éireann. Intending passengers are, therefore, advised to enquire before setting out on their journey for the latest information concerning the services.

On occasions where snow, fog, or other adverse weather conditions prevail, or the state of the roads is unusually difficult or if for any reason whatsoever roads or sections of roads are closed to traffic, it may be necessary to vary the times of Bus Éireann services, or to suspend their operation without notice.  Bus Éireann shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay or expense arising as a result of such circumstances outside the control of Bus Éireann.

PASSENGERS’ LUGGAGE

Each passenger may carry one medium-sized suitcase or equivalent (maximum dimensions 80 cms x 70 cms x 20 cms and maximum weight 15 Kgs) on a bus free of charge, which luggage must be placed in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.

In addition, each passenger may carry one small item of hand luggage free of charge inside the passenger saloon of the vehicle. In this context hand luggage means something that is capable of being stored in the overhead rack or beneath the seat.  Hand luggage carried inside the passenger saloon must not be placed where it could obstruct the gangway or any passenger entrance or emergency exit, but must be placed under a seat or in an overhead rack as appropriate.

Any additional luggage may only be carried if, in the opinion of Bus Éireann, there is sufficient accommodation available.  Such additional luggage, if carried at the discretion of Bus Éireann, must be placed in the luggage compartment of the vehicle and may be subject to an additional charge, per single journey, of €10.00. 

Folding child pushchairs will be carried free, subject to accommodation being available and provided they are folded before placing in the luggage compartment or other designated area of the vehicle. Folding bicycles which are packed and wrapped in a suitable carrier bag/protective covering will be treated as passengers’ accompanied luggage and carried free of charge in the luggage storage area.  Folding bicycles which are NOT packed or wrapped as described above will be charged at the full cycle rate, per single journey, of €10.00. 

Bicycles, prams and non-folding child pushchairs will be carried only if sufficient accommodation is available; they must be placed in the luggage compartment or other designated area of the vehicle and are subject to a charge, per single journey, of €10.00.  

On vehicles accessible to mobility impaired persons who are wheelchair users, a wheelchair must be parked in the designated area and in such a manner as the driver may direct.  A wheelchair user has priority for use of this designated area at all times.  One occupied child buggy or pushchair may be parked in this designated area when it is not occupied by a wheelchair.

Where it is necessary to transfer to another vehicle or vehicles before completion of journey, the availability of sufficient accommodation for additional items of luggage or for bicycles, prams or pushchairs, cannot be guaranteed.

All luggage must be securely packed, fastened and locked before being placed in or taken on vehicles. All luggage must also be clearly labelled with the name, address and destination of the accompanying passenger.

Passengers are required to place a string label on items of luggage placed in the luggage compartment of a vehicle and will be required to produce evidence of identity to a Bus Éireann driver or other authorised official on request.

All items of passengers' luggage as described in the foregoing are carried by Bus Éireann at owner's risk, irrespective of whether or not they have been handed to a Bus Éireann employee or agent and without regard to the part of the vehicle in which they are carried or by whom they have been so placed in such vehicle.

Bus Éireann, its employees, agents, and/or sub-contractors shall not be liable for loss of and/or damage to passengers' luggage or any passengers' personal possessions, unless such loss or damage is proven to have been caused by the negligence, breach of duty or breach of statutory duty of Bus Éireann, its employees, agents or sub-contractors.

In the event of Bus Éireann being proven liable for loss or damage under this clause the liability of Bus Éireann shall be limited to a maximum of €127 in respect of each claim, and also to a maximum of €51 for any one item contained within the luggage lost or damaged.

Personal effects or items of luggage of a relatively expensive nature should not be packed in luggage placed in the luggage compartment, but should be kept in a passenger's hand luggage or on the person of that passenger. Bus Éireann will not be liable for any loss of or damage to such articles if placed in the luggage compartment.

Bus Éireann will not be liable for financial loss involving cash, currency, cheques, credit/cash/charge cards, or for loss of travel or identity documents of any kind.

Bus Éireann will not accept any claim for loss of or damage to property from a third party or made by a passenger on behalf of a third party, irrespective of whether a passenger's luggage contains items belonging to any such third party.

In the event that a passenger suffers any loss of or damage to luggage, the passenger must report such loss in full to the appropriate Garda Síochána Station so that any subsequent claim can be fully investigated.  Bus Éireann will not consider any claim for loss unless the Garda Síochána have been notified and a report filed by them in respect of such a claim.

Any claim in respect of loss of or damage to property must be made to Bus Éireann within 24 hours of the journey on which the loss or damage is alleged to have occurred.  A full written report detailing such loss or damage must be submitted within five days of that date to the relevant office in Bus Éireann which deals with such matters as notified from time to time.

The foregoing Conditions of Carriage of Passengers’ Luggage are applicable on Bus Éireann services within Ireland.   Carriage of passengers' luggage on services operated jointly with Ulsterbus Ltd. is in addition subject to the Conditions of Carriage of Ulsterbus Ltd.

Separate conditions apply to the carriage of passengers' luggage on Bus Éireann services to Britain and Europe.   These conditions are contained in the relevant publications detailing such international services.

Customers are asked not to bring food or drink on board which would present a risk to the safety, cleanliness and condition of our vehicles or the comfort of fellow passengers and to avoid bringing hot or strong-smelling food on board. Any food and drink brought on board must be in an appropriately sealed or fastened container to avoid any risk of spillage and any rubbish must be taken when leaving the vehicle.

The consumption of alcoholic drinks is not permitted.

DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS

Guide dogs and Assistance dogs accompanying passengers are permitted to travel on all Bus Éireann services free of charge and without restriction.  An Assistance dog must be clearly identifiable either by coat or harness to distinguish it as a working dog and not a pet.   Apart from the foregoing exceptions, dogs, cats or any other animals or live fowl of any description WILL NOT be carried.

LOST PROPERTY

Property found in or on Bus Éireann vehicles will be deposited at the nearest depot of the Company.

A handling fee per article will be charged when lost property is claimed. If lost property is unclaimed for a period in excess of two months, such property will be sold and the monies obtained will be used to defray any expenses incurred by Bus Éireann in holding such property.

No responsibility will be accepted by Bus Éireann for loss of or damage to property belonging to a passenger which is lost or stolen on Bus Éireann premises or on Bus Éireann vehicles.

Property found in or on Bus Éireann vehicles will be deposited at the nearest depot of the Company.

Public Health

Smoking, including the use of substitute cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is prohibited on all Bus Éireann buses and coaches and in all enclosed areas of bus stations.