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I reland's state transport operation, CIE, is broken into three companies.

23rd June 1994, Page 32
23rd June 1994
Page 32
Page 32, 23rd June 1994 — I reland's state transport operation, CIE, is broken into three companies.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Bus Eireann provides provincial bus services; Dublin Bus serves the capital; larnrod Eireann operates both rail and road freight services, turning over CIR45m a year.

The state road haulage industry developed from serving the rail network in the twenties. Until deregulation in 1986 the railway company issued all road haulage licences.

larnrod Eireann has a fleet of 320 vehicles, including about 130 owner-driven trucks, making it far and away Ireland's largest haulier. In the past two years it spent CIR4m on fleet replacement, buying more than 100 vehicles including new Dais, Hinos and Mitsubishis, and second-hand ERFs. Its biggest customer remains the railway company, accounting for half of its work. The railways carry 3.3 million tonnes of freight a year which represents 24% of all inter-urban traffic; its rood freight arm handles 1.2m tonnes a year. Rates are quoted on a station-to-station or door-todoor basis.

The rood haulage service is branded Roadliner and operates throughout Ireland's 32 counties as well as to the UK. The railway company is investigating the feasibility of a through service to Europe.

Road freight manager Lorry Kirwan stresses that the state operation is not subsidised: "Our aim is to mix the expertise of the private and public sectors to provide the best possible combination." Ownerdrivers were introduced five years ago and last year it made a profit of CIR0.7m. "We have to apply for our road haulage licence on the same basis as any other operation," he says. "If our accountant said the rail was propping us up we would not get our licence."

The fleet competes on the open market. He believes competition and co-operation between the state and private sector is healthy; co-operation comes in combining the railways and the expertise of the owner-driver, including many IRHA members. He remains disappointed that larnrod Eireann's application to join the IRHA has been turned down.

He is aware of the criticism from hauliers that the industry operates above capacity and the existing private sector could adequately serve all his road haulage contracts. "They could cope with our business," he admits, "but could they provide the some high standards?"

Tags

Organisations: IRHA
People: Lorry Kirwan

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