Bus Eireann recently developed an employer pass programme to suit those living outside the greater Dublin area who commute into the Capital daily. The bus company is offering "medium, long and giant hop tickets" for a weekly price of £24, £33 and £36 respectively.

This programme allows companies to avail of the recently introduced benefit-in-kind provisions for employee use of public transportation. According to the literature, "employers may wish to offer these tickets to their employees as incentives, rewards or for displacement purposes with the added advantage of PRSI savings. Employees may opt for tax-free travel passes instead of year-end bonuses." The passes are valid from Sunday to Saturday and can be used on Bus Eireann, Iarnrod Eireann and normal scheduled services within the defined zones.

The inner zone or "medium hop" zone begins at Balbriggan, Maynooth and Kilcoole. The outer "giant hop" zone includes Dundalk, Carrickmacross, Castlepollard, Mullingar, Tullamore, Carlow and Gorey. Contact Bus Eireann at 703 2575 or 703 2424 for zone inclusion maps and rates.