Limerick native and prominent businessman, Willie Martin of Martin’s Coaches has been elected Chairperson of the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) following election at the organisation’s AGM in Dundalk on Saturday 4 March. 

William has been a member of the CTTC since 1994 and has served on the Executive Council of the Association since 2008. He successfully chaired, organised and ran the hugely successful national industry event; the Coach & Bus Show since 2009 with the event hitting a peak in 2022, when over 2,500 attendees visited the RDS in Dublin over two days. 

Mr. Martin grew up working in the family business, which marks its 50 year anniversary in the bus and coach industry this year. He has operated the successful Martin’s Coaches in the city for a number of decades, having succeeded his father in the business. A graduate of the College of Commerce in Rathmines, Dublin, Willie holds qualifications in accounting, transport management and tourism. 

Newly elected Chairperson of the CTTC, William Martin commented on his election: “I am honoured and delighted to have been elected Chairperson of the leading coach and bus operators representative body in Ireland, the CTTC. To follow in the footsteps of many leading lights in the industry is an enormous privilege and one that I do not take lightly. My stewardship of the organisation will be focused on emulating the sterling work done by outgoing Chairman, John Halpenny, who guided the members through acute challenges over the pandemic, and worked night and day to ensure the delivery of Government supports for them at a crucial time. The industry has undergone existential challenges in recent years and while recovery has happened, the reality is inflationary pressures continue to wreak havoc on operators bottom-line and this must be addressed as a priority. My tenure will be marked by a strong commitment to continuing the great work done by the Chairs I have a succeeded, while seeking to address the need for further supports for the membership, amid a period of great change in the sector.” 

The 2023 Executive Council of the CTTC is comprised of the following;