BUS ÉIREANN this week begins a new cross-Border coach service aimed at shoppers seeking bargains in the North.
In a further sign of growing consumer dissatisfaction with prices in the Republic, the company is launching a twice-weekly service from Dublin to the Outlet, a discount fashion shopping centre located just outside Banbridge.
This follows the success of the Ikea Express services launched last year, which travel twice weekly from Dublin and Drogheda/Dundalk to the giant furniture store near Belfast.
Northern retailers say cross-Border shopping is at levels not seen since the 1970s, when thousands of Southern shoppers used to travel North.
The strength of the euro makes shopping in the sterling zone better value than it has been for years. Evidence of high markups on goods sold in the Republic compared with the UK has also stoked consumer anger and encouraged people to shop around.
Bus Éireann public relations manager Erica Roseingrave said the service was being introduced to meet the growing demand for cross-Border shopping.
“Not only will people be able to take advantage of the great prices in stores at The Outlet, they can capitalise on the euro sterling exchange rate and avoid tolls, parking charges and petrol costs by travelling with Bus Éireann for €22 return from Dublin,” she said.
The service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing from Busáras at 9am and returning by 6pm.