33x Bus

LXFlyer

dcr22B wrote: »

It has happened albeit moreso when the colleges have been on their summer break.

I fully accept that there are few spare buses around the place but that's no excuse to have a service that can't cater for capacity when the demand is there for it. Instead Dublin Bus have the cheek to increase their prices.

On a separate note, I wonder is it legal for Dublin Bus to be running buses on the M1 through the Port Tunnel wedged full with passengers standing??

Well every route has less people during the summer. That is hardly the time to judge loadings. Right now I think you will find that every VT is needed where it is already in service.

If you want bigger buses you will have to ask the NTA - they are responsible for providing new buses, and paying for increased services. Ultimately the NTA are responsible for the services now - not Dublin Bus, and they don't seem to have the same enthusiasm for increasing the 33X capacity.

dcr22B

lxflyer wrote: »

Well every route has less people during the summer. That is hardly the time to judge loadings. Right now I think you will find that every VT is needed where it is already in service.

If you want bigger buses you will have to ask the NTA - they are responsible for providing new buses, and paying for increased services. Ultimately the NTA are responsible for the services now - not Dublin Bus, and they don't seem to have the same enthusiasm for increasing the 33X capacity.

I fully accept that but I spent two weeks staying out in Dun Laoghaire looking after my sister in law's house back in March. Got the 46A every morning onboard a VT and there were a few occasions where there were 10-20 seats consistently unoccupied on an 8am departure from DL.

Dublin Bus have no interest in increasing the capacity because they simply couldn't give a f**k about the 33X. I bet they curse Irish Rail every day for the Malahide viaduct misfortune as they only bowed to local representatives' pressure to keep the service on once the viaduct was repaired.

I don't want to be seen to be arguing with you but you can understand my frustration when you see other services around the city not running to capacity occasionally but I guess I just have to get used to it.

LXFlyer

dcr22B wrote: »

I fully accept that but I spent two weeks staying out in Dun Laoghaire looking after my sister in law's house back in March. Got the 46A every morning onboard a VT and there were a few occasions where there were 10-20 seats consistently unoccupied on an 8am departure from DL.

Dublin Bus have no interest in increasing the capacity because they simply couldn't give a f**k about the 33X. I bet they curse Irish Rail every day for the Malahide viaduct misfortune as they only bowed to local representatives' pressure to keep the service on once the viaduct was repaired.

I don't want to be seen to be arguing with you but you can understand my frustration when you see other services around the city not running to capacity occasionally but I guess I just have to get used to it.

Every route in the city has empty seats during the summer - really that is not the point and it is an irrelevance as the buses are currently all full.

The point is that Dublin Bus do not hold the purse strings for this. The NTA do. You don't seem to be grasping that.

I do fully understand your problem and your frustration, but you are aiming your ire in the wrong direction. You should be getting in touch with the NTA as they are responsible for deciding what service levels are on the route.

My understanding is that Dublin Bus were perfectly happy to retain the 33X, and are happy to do so currently, but are dependent upon the NTA sanctioning any improvement.

So I would suggest you start getting in touch with the NTA, as they hold the purse strings.

dcr22B

lxflyer wrote: »

The point is that Dublin Bus do not hold the purse strings for this. The NTA do. You don't seem to be grasping that.

Because until you stated it above, I simply did not know that.

It would be an idea if Dublin Bus (instead of giving me the some crap of a response every time I email them) had told me that so I could get off their case.

Thanks for the headsup but how likely are the NTA going to listen to my/other requests, pointless banging heads of a brick wall. Will simply just march on with the service we have which to be fair 95% of the time caters to our needs up here.

LXFlyer

dcr22B wrote: »

Because until you stated it above, I simply did not know that.

It would be an idea if Dublin Bus (instead of giving me the some crap of a response every time I email them) had told me that so I could get off their case.

Thanks for the headsup but how likely are the NTA going to listen to my/other requests, pointless banging heads of a brick wall. Will simply just march on with the service we have which to be fair 95% of the time caters to our needs up here.

Well to be honest it's fairly obvious - every fare change and service change now has to be approved by them!!

They dictate what services are operated, and you need to start getting some facts, figures and bombard them instead.

www.nationaltransport.ie is the website.

At the end of the day, they are going to have be convinced that it is worth investing additional money in the 33X - whether they will or not is another question, given that they already pay for the rail service.

But if you don't try, you don't get.

Peckham

The Black Oil wrote: »

6pm 33X was packed this evening.

It went past the stop at the O2 without stopping. First time that's happened to me on that route. Was raging as I often run from work in Blackrock into town, and then get the bus home from there, so I was left freezing cold in my running gear!

I presumed there must have been a problem with the bus before that one (5.30?) so all those passengers were on the 6pm. Does anyone know if that's the case? If not, I need to reconsider how I fit my running into my commute!

charlietheminxx

The 6pm last night was a disaster. It was one of the older small buses and was standing room only when I got on (at the first stop).

The one that leaves Lusk at about 7.30am was just as bad this morning. Honesty was gripped by claustrophobia... fair play to the drivers for getting as many people where they're going as possible but it's way above their safety limits, and were there to be an accident, I dread to think of the consequences. I'm actually dreading the commute these days.

The Black Oil

Same story this evening. Driver (not blaming him) had to skip the pick up at the Point Depot. Upstairs (and down) full from the first stop, people sitting on the stairs.

charlietheminxx

Again it was a smaller older bus. They're aware these don't meet the capacity on the route. Would they not be better of pulling one of the earlier 33x's like the 4.30 or whatever, and putting another one on at peak times like 5.45?

Peckham

So it looks like the 6pm 33X is no longer a feasible option for the commute home unless you get on at the first stop (or Dublin Bus introduce a timetable or equipment change). Very disappointing. It's a really handy way for me to get my run done, and it's not fair on others for me and my smelly running gear to get on a jam packed bus!

More importantly, with the bus as packed as it is, is it safe for it to travel at 80kmh along the motorway? Presumably a sudden stop at that speed could easily result in injuries.

charlietheminxx

That was exactly my earlier point and something I communicated to Dublin Bus previously. I've been elbowed in the face and had people fall into me just from moderate braking. A crash or even a minor incident would be just.... disastrous.

The Black Oil

Was fortunate enough to get the 5:30pm this evening. One of the newer buses with the orange digital display on the front. One or two empty seats downstairs, nobody standing and not packed like sardines.

Carawaystick

Peckham wrote: »

More importantly, with the bus as packed as it is, is it safe for it to travel at 80kmh along the motorway? Presumably a sudden stop at that speed could easily result in injuries.

Busses with standing passengers have a limit of 65 kmh
Motorways are much safer than non-motorway routes, I'd be more concerned with sudden stops on the r128 or the north quay

micraX

lad doing the home balbriggan service on friday nights should start a run to pick up the people the X leaves behind

The Black Oil

Bus was late arriving into Lusk this morning and broke down after the Port tunnel, but he was able to get it started again.

Hello to the person with loud tunes downstairs on the 6pm tonight.

LXFlyer

http://dublinbus.ie/en/News-Centre/General-News/Route-33x-Timetable-Change/

Route 33x Timetable Change


Friday, January 10, 2014




Dublin Bus wishes to advise customers of a timetable change to Route 33x from Monday 27th January 2014.
Revised Route 33x

Time changes are all inbound and are as follows:
06:30 from Skerries deferred to 06:35
06:45 from Skerries deferred to 06:55
07:05 from Skerries deferred to 07:15
08:00 from Skerries advanced to 07:55

The Black Oil

Fun, so far.

micraX

Don't know why they are leaving later, it's a **** in the mornings, them 5 mins make all the difference traffic wise.

The Black Oil

Got this response via email.

Dublin Bus is currently in the process of implementing an extensive Network review and as part of this we Changed the times of the 33x to make a better for all of our customers as best we can.

It is always the intention of Dublin Bus to provide the most efficient high quality service with the resources available to us. This service is being examined with a view to maximising its efficiency and providing a service that our customers require and this will be dependent on available resources.

We hope the service will settle down over the next week or two as customers find the bus that works best for them on the new schedule.

readyletsgo

The Black Oil wrote: »

Got this response via email.

So, I take it they are planning to cancel one of the 33x on the morning. Terrible service, there should be one leaving Skerries every 10 or 15 mins in the morning time as when it gets to Lusk it's like a train in India.

How come the rest of Dublin get a good to great services in the morning but out our way it's just ignored, I'll never understand.

cbreeze

lxflyer wrote: »

http://dublinbus.ie/en/News-Centre/General-News/Route-33x-Timetable-Change/


Time changes are all inbound and are as follows:
06:30 from Skerries deferred to 06:35
06:45 from Skerries deferred to 06:55
07:05 from Skerries deferred to 07:15
08:00 from Skerries advanced to 07:55

that explains why I have been missing the 08:00 from skerries these past few mornings! I'd taken to leaving the house earlier just to be on the safe side - I had to run like Usain Bolt this morning to catch it - now I know!

baktag

22 people standing on the first 33x leaving lusk this morning those 5 minutes make a difference

baktag

I had my rant this morning with Dublin bus on twitter
I decided to go one step more and email them and anyone else who will listen if nothing else I feel better

"Open letter to Dublin bus
I would start with good morning but it's not
Why does Dublin have such a disregard for the people or Rush and lusk ? We don't have a railway station right smack in the middle of our respective towns so we rely on the 33x .
Why was the times changed to later departures ? Some if us need that extra 5 minutes to catch connecting busses in town. And what are you going to do about the chronic over crowding on the morning 33x as reported on Twitter and on boards .ie
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056543614/11/#post88824519
I don't expect a worth while answer but at least I hat something to do while holding on for dear life on the m1
Ultwen
PS typed on a castle truck with one hand please ignore spelling and punctuation"

I feel sorry for the driver some guy had a go at him it's not his fault
I wonder who else I can bitch to?

LXFlyer

Again, as I said before, I would be directing your woes towards the National Transport Authority - they dictate the service levels that are to be operated.

You need to make clear the fact that the railway is not an option for you and numerous others because they ultimately are paying the transport providers and may take the view that they are paying for a rail service already.

The NTA can be contacted at info@nationaltransport.ie

The Black Oil

Got an automated response from the NTA, will hopefully get a human one soon

I presume this signature means I can't really post it here...

The information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorised. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful.

micraX

lxflyer wrote: »

Again, as I said before, I would be directing your woes towards the National Transport Authority - they dictate the service levels that are to be operated.

You need to make clear the fact that the railway is not an option for you and numerous others because they ultimately are paying the transport providers and may take the view that they are paying for a rail service already.

The NTA can be contacted at info@nationaltransport.ie

Surely the NTA isn't in charge of bus timetables? That just supply the vehicles.
Anyone get onto Network Noel about it? (the foot ball on a stick)

LXFlyer

micraX wrote: »

Surely the NTA isn't in charge of bus timetables? That just supply the vehicles.
Anyone get onto Network Noel about it? (the foot ball on a stick)

Eh, you are completely mistaken.


The NTA have contracts with each operator (Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and Veolia (LUAS)) within which they dictate the level of service to be provided.


Every single timetable change has to be approved by the NTA before it can take effect.


The NTA is basically taking over the management of the passenger transport services in the country - the operators will ultimately be just that - operators.

micraX

lxflyer wrote: »

Eh, you are completely mistaken.


The NTA have contracts with each operator (Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and Veolia (LUAS)) within which they dictate the level of service to be provided.


Every single timetable change has to be approved by the NTA before it can take effect.


The NTA is basically taking over the management of the passenger transport services in the country - the operators will ultimately be just that - operators.

That's a load of ****e like it should be down to the service provider

cbreeze

I have seen a local councillor, T O'Leary, on this service, so at least he knows what we are up against.

The Black Oil

I missed the 6pm left as it left early this evening...time for another email to DB.

The Black Oil

We just left a bunch of people in Lusk. Even the driver seems fed up of this.

Peckham

A few weeks back I stopped using the stop at Murrays, and instead walked the extra distance to the stop opposite the soccer club as it was the difference between getting a seat and not getting a seat. The past few days it has been the difference between getting on the bus and not getting on the bus. Today I was one of the fortunate few who managed to get on at that first Lusk stop.

(And I remember the days before the Malahide viaduct incident when I'd have two seats to myself every morning!)

How long until the bus doesn't stop at all in Lusk? Probably next week.

Have been in touch with Dublin Bus, but all I got back was a "thanks for bringing it to our attention".

Time to make alternative commuting plans.

The Black Oil

It's ridiculous. Once the timetable change kicked in the Orylnn Park stop exploded in numbers. People are going to the train station based stops to get on.

I got a reply from the NTA.

The Authority is aware of the high demand for travel on Route 33X and recently approved a change in the morning departure times in an attempt to provide a more even distribution of passengers. The effect of this recent change is being monitored by Dublin Bus. The Authority has requested to examine ways in which it can increase the capacity on the route by the most effective deployment of vehicles. This is currently under way.

The Authority, however, is not in a position to approve the introduction of additional departures on this route which would incur additional cost. Of particular relevance is the availability of capacity on the rail service which is also funded by the Authority.

I can confirm the Authority will continue to seek, in conjunction with Dublin Bus, an improvement to the current situation.

LXFlyer

That reply is in line with my earlier post in terms of NTA thinking on this.

Their opinion is that they will not increase frequency on the 33X unless the trains start to become completely full, given they are paying for both services.

It does show a certain disdain for anyone who does not have a car and would have to walk to the railway station.

The only suggestion I would have now is for people to group together, and get local politicians to lobby the NTA.

Peckham

Error in their response. Have fixed it below.

The Authority is aware of the high demand for travel on Route 33X and recently approved a change in the morning departure times in an attempt to provide a more even distribution of passengers get people back onto the train.

The Authority, however, is not in a position to approve the introduction of additional departures on this route which would incur additional cost.

Sorry, but do we not pay to use the service. I have an annual ticket costing over €1500. If the 33X situation doesn't improve I won't be renewing the bus part of the ticket and save myself over €200.

LXFlyer

Peckham wrote: »

Error in their response. Have fixed it below



Sorry, but do we not pay to use the service. I have an annual ticket costing over €1500. If the 33X situation doesn't improve I won't be renewing the bus part of the ticket and save myself over €200.

You do pay, but the NTA pay both Dublin Bus and Irish Rail to provide a certain level of service, specified in the contracts with the companies. Anything over that specification costs them more in additional subsidy.

micraX

I had to start driving when the change came in as I kept missing my connecting bus. Can I claim my fuel costs back from Dublin bus o's Nat or sue them?

LXFlyer

micraX wrote: »

I had to start driving when the change came in as I kept missing my connecting bus. Can I claim my fuel costs back from Dublin bus o's Nat or sue them?

Afraid not - they reserve the right to change the timetable as they see fit.

Peckham

lxflyer wrote: »

You do pay, but the NTA pay both Dublin Bus and Irish Rail to provide a certain level of service, specified in the contracts with the companies. Anything over that specification costs them more in additional subsidy.

But I’m not alone. If more people decide that it’s not worth paying the extra (or stop paying entirely can get back into their cars) for a poor 33X service, there comes a point whereby curtailing services is a net loss situation (i.e. the amount they’re saving by not putting on the service is lower than the amount they’re losing through people not buying tickets). Not sure what point this happens at though.

Slightly tongue in cheek, but it would also help if everyone bought a ticket. There’s an Irish Rail employee who gets on that bus at Murrays and doesn’t show a ticket, just nods and says hello to the driver. Do Irish Rail employees get to travel for free on buses? Do bus drivers travel for free on trains? That’s a lot of people with a paid job travelling to/from work for free every day.

The Black Oil

lxflyer wrote: »

The only suggestion I would have now is for people to group together, and get local politicians to lobby the NTA.

In the event such lobbying succeeded, what then? Does the NTA have the funds/resources to make a difference and resolve capacity issues?

micraX

Peckham wrote: »

But I’m not alone. If more people decide that it’s not worth paying the extra (or stop paying entirely can get back into their cars) for a poor 33X service, there comes a point whereby curtailing services is a net loss situation (i.e. the amount they’re saving by not putting on the service is lower than the amount they’re losing through people not buying tickets). Not sure what point this happens at though.

Slightly tongue in cheek, but it would also help if everyone bought a ticket. There’s an Irish Rail employee who gets on that bus at Murrays and doesn’t show a ticket, just nods and says hello to the driver. Do Irish Rail employees get to travel for free on buses? Do bus drivers travel for free on trains? That’s a lot of people with a paid job travelling to/from work for free every day.

Yeah for employees get a pti card it's great, well it used to be. When I could use it. And leave Mr. McCann alone.

Carawaystick

It's telling that an Irish rail employee uses a different companies public transport to get to Tara Station, than Irish rail...

micraX

Carawaystick wrote: »

It's telling that an Irish rail employee uses a different companies public transport to get to Tara Station, than Irish rail...

Talk to him, he'll tell you it's quicker and easier.
Sure I was using it for free to get to a work, I work on buses (red and white ones) and I get 20 free trips a year on Irish rail, or unlimited if you hope the barriwe, which isn't too hard at rush and lusk now. Haha

LXFlyer

Carawaystick wrote: »

It's telling that an Irish rail employee uses a different companies public transport to get to Tara Station, than Irish rail...

Well maybe it suits him to take a bus from near his house than walking/driving to the railway station.

Bizarrely enough people are not tied to using their employer's product!

The Black Oil

Jammers again yesterday morning. Couldn't take everyone in Lusk. I contacted the 4 local TDs. Farrell and Reilly offered fairly generic replies. Ryan and Daly acknowledged it more directly. At least they all responded.

micraX

A GT was on the 33x this morning. Kinda stupid with the less seats and all.

kingtiger

micraX wrote: »

A GT was on the 33x this morning. Kinda stupid with the less seats and all.

micraX

kingtiger wrote: »

Yeah I know, DT 5 used to do that one. Need a VT on it really.

cathy01

Can you use this for the 33 from Balbriggan to town drumcondra area?

LXFlyer

The 33X starts in Skerries, not Balbriggan.

The 101 serves Drumcondra.