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This is why I don't use the bus

  • 08-08-2014 4:10pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,946 ✭✭✭✭


    So I'm heading out tonight and am currently on a bus heading back to the office having dropped the car back home.

    - Firstly RPTI wasn't any help. Bus scheduled for 16:00 per the timetable but disappeared from RPTI 5 mins before that (so that actually thought I missed it) but it showed 2 mins early anyway

    - Trip is about 15 mins long and maybe 4/5 stops in between. Fare is €2.35!!! (and yes I asked and stated the destination). Considering that I used to be able to get from Blanch to the city for about €1.60 that's some hike!

    And people wonder why those who have a choice don't use public transport?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,042 ✭✭✭zl1whqvjs75cdy


    You getting the fight link home? You are in for a real treat if so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,487 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    - Trip is about 15 mins long and maybe 4/5 stops in between. Fare is €2.35!!! (and yes I asked and stated the destination). Considering that I used to be able to get from Blanch to the city for about €1.60 that's some hike!
    Same here, it costs me €1.95 (Leap fare) to get from my house at one end of Bray to the garage where I get my car serviced at the other end (6 'stages'), but I can get from my house all the way into the centre of Dublin for €2.50 (35 'stages'). Makes no sense at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    So I'm heading out tonight and am currently on a bus heading back to the office having dropped the car back home.

    - Firstly RPTI wasn't any help. Bus scheduled for 16:00 per the timetable but disappeared from RPTI 5 mins before that (so that actually thought I missed it) but it showed 2 mins early anyway

    - Trip is about 15 mins long and maybe 4/5 stops in between. Fare is €2.35!!! (and yes I asked and stated the destination). Considering that I used to be able to get from Blanch to the city for about €1.60 that's some hike!

    And people wonder why those who have a choice don't use public transport?

    What's the trip?

    Bear in mind also that cash fares are artificially inflated above LEAP fares.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    .

    Trip is about15 mins long and maybe 4/5 stops in between. Fare is €2.35!!! (and yes I asked and stated the destination). Considering that I used to be able to get from Blanch to the city for about €1.60 that's some hike!

    And people wonder why those who have a choice don't use public transport?

    On the correct fare issue,the thing can now be sorted accurately by using the Fare Calculator function on www.dublinbus.ie

    This gizmo finally does away with all the oul traditional "3 or 4 Stops"...."Just down the road"....or "HOW much :eek: ?" Busfare elements.

    An approximately 15 Minute journey involving maybe 4/5 Stops for €2.35 sounds almost reasonable to me.....and I'll wait for some of the more focused to respond on the issue of a Blanchardstown to Án Lár journey for €1.60 :eek:......Off to get my Rainmac now....;)


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,761 ✭✭✭cdebru


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    On the correct fare issue,the thing can now be sorted accurately by using the Fare Calculator function on www.dublinbus.ie

    This gizmo finally does away with all the oul traditional "3 or 4 Stops"...."Just down the road"....or "HOW much :eek: ?" Busfare elements.

    An approximately 15 Minute journey involving maybe 4/5 Stops for €2.35 sounds almost reasonable to me.....and I'll wait for some of the more focused to respond on the issue of a Blanchardstown to Án Lár journey for €1.60 :eek:......Off to get my Rainmac now....;)


    You would think so but unfortunately that is not always the case, the fare calculator is wrong on a number of routes it has stages in the wrong place, stages missing, stages named completely differently from the ticket machine name, extra stages added on, etc etc and some really basic errors like stages opposite each other not adding up to 100, as you know if you are at stage 56 the corresponding stage in the opposite direction must be stage 44 otherwise you end up with different fares for the same journey in opposite directions, it is a simple rule but one that must not have been explained to people responsible for the online fare calculator.


    I actually sent a long email pointing out all the errors on one route in particular, back in January of this year, received an email a couple of days later to say my email had been passed on to the regulatory affairs manager who would deal with it, it is still exactly the same as described above nothing of note has changed as far as I can see, for example the outer terminus is 38 in one direction but 63 in the other adding up to 101 and giving different fares in opposite directions to and from that stop. Another journey between the same points is 3 stages in one direction but 6 stages in the return journey meaning according to the fare calculator it is a €1.80 journey but a €2.35 for the same journey opposite direction.

    Hard to defend, yes mistakes can be made, none of us are perfect, but when it has been all pointed out in detail 7 months ago there are no excuses.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,946 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    On the correct fare issue,the thing can now be sorted accurately by using the Fare Calculator function on www.dublinbus.ie

    This gizmo finally does away with all the oul traditional "3 or 4 Stops"...."Just down the road"....or "HOW much :eek: ?" Busfare elements.

    An approximately 15 Minute journey involving maybe 4/5 Stops for €2.35 sounds almost reasonable to me.....and I'll wait for some of the more focused to respond on the issue of a Blanchardstown to Án Lár journey for €1.60 :eek:......Off to get my Rainmac now....;)

    I actually had a play with that there now and yes, according to that it was €2.35 alright for 6 stops (I'm not giving the route/stops purely because I'm not telling you lot where I live/work :p)

    That's an insanely high price though for a short trip in my opinion especially as - as I said - the last time I used buses regularly (admittedly 8/9 years ago) you could do Blanch-Town for €1.60 or thereabouts (although I see it's about €3.05 now! At least the €2.50 Leap fare is a little easier to stomach I guess - mostly cause it's a round number - but it's still a lot to pay for our bus service IMO)

    You can argue fuel costs, new fancy buses, wages, lower passenger numbers/higher per user costs, inflation, but there's absolutely no value in that for someone like myself when it's still the same buses, same trip, same journey times, same problems with reliability etc as it was back then.

    Might as well just take the car. Even though it'll cost more at least I'll have the convenience, privacy, climate control, no antisocial muppetry, and ability to come and go when I want and reroute as needed to avoid traffic rather than plodding along lurching from stop to stop, maybe standing most/all of the way and listening to some eejit's choice of music from their phone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    I actually had a play with that there now and yes, according to that it was €2.35 alright for 6 stops (I'm not giving the route/stops purely because I'm not telling you lot where I live/work :p)

    That's an insanely high price though for a short trip in my opinion especially as - as I said - the last time I used buses regularly (admittedly 8/9 years ago) you could do Blanch-Town for €1.60 or thereabouts (although I see it's about €3.05 now! At least the €2.50 Leap fare is a little easier to stomach I guess - mostly cause it's a round number - but it's still a lot to pay for our bus service IMO)

    You can argue fuel costs, new fancy buses, wages, lower passenger numbers/higher per user costs, inflation, but there's absolutely no value in that for someone like myself when it's still the same buses, same trip, same journey times, same problems with reliability etc as it was back then.

    Might as well just take the car. Even though it'll cost more at least I'll have the convenience, privacy, climate control, no antisocial muppetry, and ability to come and go when I want and reroute as needed to avoid traffic rather than plodding along lurching from stop to stop, maybe standing most/all of the way and listening to some eejit's choice of music from their phone.

    You'd really want to try Driving so.....:D

    Mind you,excellency,I'm in general agreement with your point.

    However,I would stop-short of describing BAC's Fares as "Insanely" high.

    It's also worth pointing out that our method of funding/Integrating/prioritizing Public Transport is only (VERY) loosely modeled on how other,more civilized,European Countries do it.

    As it currently stands the Fare Structure policy has become a 100% function of the NTA and they appear to be pursuing a steady-as-she goes course.

    If twere me,I'd be discounting the hell out of Bus Transport (In the manner of the Childleapcard Free Bus Travel Promotion),but with the proviso of vastly more frequent services throughout a 24 hour period........Oh...and Shutting Down a few City Centre Multi Stories as well.....;)


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,487 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    However,I would stop-short of describing BAC's Fares as "Insanely" high.
    Depends on the distance involved. See my example above where I can travel from Bray all the way into the centre of Dublin for not much more than it costs me to travel from one end of Bray to the other. For the latter journey I'd consider the fare something of a bargain, but the former is a rip-off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    <snip>
    An approximately 15 Minute journey involving maybe 4/5 Stops for €2.35 sounds almost reasonable to me.....and I'll wait for some of the more focused to respond on the issue of a Blanchardstown to Án Lár journey for €1.60 :eek:......Off to get my Rainmac now....;)
    for a little bit of international comparison, the same journey in Munich (same size city as Dublin more or less, and almost identical population) is a whopping €2.60,
    i.e. 4+ bus/ tram stops or 2+ underground stops, and similarily it'd put you off taking short journies unless you have a weekly/monthly/yearly pass.

    So compared to other cities, Dublin is actually a fairly reasonable price!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    for a little bit of international comparison, the same journey in Munich (same size city as Dublin more or less, and almost identical population) is a whopping €2.60,
    i.e. 4+ bus/ tram stops or 2+ underground stops, and similarily it'd put you off taking short journies unless you have a weekly/monthly/yearly pass.

    So compared to other cities, Dublin is actually a fairly reasonable price!

    You are comparing the public transport in Dublin to the public transport in Munich, and calling Dublin reasonable? Don't make us laugh bitterly..


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  • Registered Users Posts: 430 ✭✭lil5


    for a little bit of international comparison, the same journey in Munich (same size city as Dublin more or less, and almost identical population) is a whopping €2.60,
    i.e. 4+ bus/ tram stops or 2+ underground stops, and similarily it'd put you off taking short journies unless you have a weekly/monthly/yearly pass.

    So compared to other cities, Dublin is actually a fairly reasonable price!

    With the single trip ticket price being really the only comparison between Dublin and Munich.

    Marketed as being used by the occasional traveller.
    http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/tickets-fares/tickets/index.html


    The 2.60 Euro in Munich brings you right across town on any mode of transport - Bus, tram, underground, urban trains (S-Bahn).


    Where a transferable monthly ticket (IsarCard) covering almost the entire underground network costs 71.50 Euro.
    The same monthly ticket valid after 9am on weekdays costs 53.50 Euro


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    syklops wrote: »
    You are comparing the public transport in Dublin to the public transport in Munich, and calling Dublin reasonable? Don't make us laugh bitterly..

    Well,actually Munchkin is NOT comparing Dublin with Munich in any terms other than this SINGLE journey...Globally,such comparisons are largely a waste of time as every city/country is different...which is why I tend to use Edinburgh as my yardstick for Dublin....:D :eek: :D


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    Well,actually Munchkin is NOT comparing Dublin with Munich in any terms other than this SINGLE journey...Globally,such comparisons are largely a waste of time as every city/country is different...which is why I tend to use Edinburgh as my yardstick for Dublin....:D :eek: :D

    Not sure if joking or...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    Well,actually Munchkin is NOT comparing Dublin with Munich in any terms other than this SINGLE journey...
    Globally,such comparisons are largely a waste of time as every city/country is different...which is why I tend to use Edinburgh as my yardstick for Dublin....:D :eek: :D
    exactly, just saying that its not only in Dublin that a ticket for public transport can be very expensive for a short journey.

    its completely irrelevant if my €2.60 ticket entitles me to a trip across town (or free coffee, or back massage, or discounts in a shop.....) if all I am looking to do is go a mile down the road and no further.

    So essentially completely the same problem as Dublin, except dearer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 687 ✭✭✭Five Lamps


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    So I'm heading out tonight and am currently on a bus heading back to the office having dropped the car back home.

    - Firstly RPTI wasn't any help. Bus scheduled for 16:00 per the timetable but disappeared from RPTI 5 mins before that (so that actually thought I missed it) but it showed 2 mins early anyway

    - Trip is about 15 mins long and maybe 4/5 stops in between. Fare is €2.35!!! (and yes I asked and stated the destination). Considering that I used to be able to get from Blanch to the city for about €1.60 that's some hike!

    And people wonder why those who have a choice don't use public transport?

    So let me get this, your bus arrived 2 min earlier then expected. So that can't be considered a complaint. the RPTI are real time displays and not a timetable.

    So your gripe is about the fare. Fair point but that's Ireland for you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    Five Lamps wrote: »
    So let me get this, your bus arrived 2 min earlier then expected. So that can't be considered a complaint. the RPTI are real time displays and not a timetable.

    The bus left before it was timetabled to and also disappeared from the RTPI and neither of those can be considered a complaint?!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    MOH wrote: »
    The bus left before it was timetabled to and also disappeared from the RTPI and neither of those can be considered a complaint?!

    The only timetabled point is the terminus - all of the rest are estimates/guides, including the intermediate times on stops that are used on certain routes.

    Buses will disappear from RTPI about 5 minutes before departure if the driver is not signed in on his ticket machine. Before that it uses the schedule, from that point onwards it needs the bus to be "live".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭porsche boy


    jasus, wait till he gets a taxi from town so....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,946 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Five Lamps wrote: »
    So let me get this, your bus arrived 2 min earlier then expected. So that can't be considered a complaint. the RPTI are real time displays and not a timetable.

    The stop I got on at is the 2nd from the terminus (no more than 90 seconds drive away). It still showed up early. In fact then it left the terminus about 4 mins early!
    So your gripe is about the fare. Fair point but that's Ireland for you.

    Yep, and hence why there's no incentive for me to use the bus more given the sacrifices you make vs the private car


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    lxflyer wrote: »
    The only timetabled point is the terminus - all of the rest are estimates/guides, including the intermediate times on stops that are used on certain routes.

    Buses will disappear from RTPI about 5 minutes before departure if the driver is not signed in on his ticket machine. Before that it uses the schedule, from that point onwards it needs the bus to be "live".

    I assumed from the OP that he was going from the terminus or near it.

    That's the problem with RTPI, it's frequently inaccurate for various reasons, but it's advertised as being accurate real time information. It should really be renamed to "Real time passenger information under some circumstances but with exceptions we never bother telling out customers about", but RTPIUSCBWEWNTOA might be a stretch.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    MOH wrote: »
    I assumed from the OP that he was going from the terminus or near it.

    That's the problem with RTPI, it's frequently inaccurate for various reasons, but it's advertised as being accurate real time information. It should really be renamed to "Real time passenger information under some circumstances but with exceptions we never bother telling out customers about", but RTPIUSCBWEWNTOA might be a stretch.

    Oddly enough,as I encounter it,RTPI is very accurate,not unfailingly or totally,but certainly within a reasonable band of expectation.

    There are indeed occasions when it is frustrated in how it can operate,but those occasions are replicated in similar systems elsewhere too.

    However,just as with folks givin'out about expensive Busfares whilst determinedly ignoring a 20% cheaper,readily available alternative,our psyche will often tend to guide us to the half-empty glass... ;)


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,946 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    jasus, wait till he gets a taxi from town so....

    I know.. €25 no less. But then again this allowed me to stay well past the last bus, relax, have a few drinks, and a pleasant (if slightly drunken!) conversation with the driver on the way back! :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    I know.. €25 no less. But then again this allowed me to stay well past the last bus, relax, have a few drinks, and a pleasant (if slightly drunken!) conversation with the driver on the way back! :p

    What !!!!...I hope you got his number :eek:


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,761 ✭✭✭cdebru


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    Oddly enough,as I encounter it,RTPI is very accurate,not unfailingly or totally,but certainly within a reasonable band of expectation.

    There are indeed occasions when it is frustrated in how it can operate,but those occasions are replicated in similar systems elsewhere too.

    However,just as with folks givin'out about expensive Busfares whilst determinedly ignoring a 20% cheaper,readily available alternative,our psyche will often tend to guide us to the half-empty glass... ;)



    I use it all the time, and I find it excellent, yes it is not perfect, but it never could be, most of the problems seem to be for people living within a couple of stops of the terminus where the RTPI is predicting arrival times based on the timetable rather than a bus that is actually enroute, some of that could be helped by controllers being a little more proactive in removing buses from the RTPI when they are obviously not going to make a timetabled departure rather than letting the system do it, or doing it after the scheduled departure time.

    I think you should never take the people who post here as a representative sample of peoples experience of anything, let alone RTPI very few if anyone starts a thread about how the RTPI or anything else worked exactly as it should, and the time it or anything else doesn't perform as expected we completely forget about all the times it works perfectly.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 687 ✭✭✭Five Lamps


    MOH wrote: »
    The bus left before it was timetabled to and also disappeared from the RTPI and neither of those can be considered a complaint?!

    leaving 2 min early wouldn't be considered a deviation from a timetable. Generally no more than 2 min early or no more than 5 min late is considered on time. Furthermore, what "timetable" was the passenger using? If it's real time info then that's not a timetable.

    As for disappearing off the display there are plenty of valid reasons for this and it is to be expected.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    Five Lamps wrote: »
    leaving 2 min early wouldn't be considered a deviation from a timetable. Generally no more than 2 min early or no more than 5 min late is considered on time.
    Certainly not by me, and I'd imagine a fair proportion of the travelling public. By definition a bus that's late can't be on time. Is this DB's official view? It would certainly explain a lot
    Furthermore, what "timetable" was the passenger using? If it's real time info then that's not a timetable.
    From the DB website, "Real Time Information will show you when your bus is due to arrive at your bus stop so you can plan your journey more accurately."
    It's a table of such times, which is pretty much the definition of a timetable.
    As for disappearing off the display there are plenty of valid reasons for this and it is to be expected.
    Again, not by passengers. The only possible reason for this list on the DB website is a comms fault between the bus and the server. If there's common situations which can cause a bus not to be displayed then they really need to list these.

    So far from this thread, I gather that if my stop is a minute or two the terminus, I check RTPI just before my bus is timetabled to depart, and my bus isn't listed for my stop then one of these is true:
    - my bus isn't running for some reason (mechanical failure, etc)
    - my bus has left "on time" two minutes early and I've missed it
    - the incoming bus is late, my bus will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is missing, and it will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is on it but hasn't switched on the machine yet: it will arrive as scheduled
    - my bus isn't listed for some other "valid" reason, its status is indeterminate

    If it is listed as being due in, say, 2 minutes:
    - it may not be listed next time I check, and any of the above may apply
    - it may have already passed my stop
    - it may arrive in less than two minutes
    - it may arrive in two minutes


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    Well I would suggest that if you are living near the terminus, you should be using the timetable as your prime source of information. RTPI really is useful mid-route as it allows people to see when the bus ought to be at their stop, rather than having to guess using departure times.

    The vast majority of the time the system works, but there will always be certain circumstances where it doesn't unfortunately.

    Buses shouldn't be leaving the terminus early in any case, unless it is by instruction from central control. That shouldn't happen anymore as it ought to flag up to central control.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭Beano


    Dont think that problem with RTPI is in anyway unique to Dublin Bus. I had a very similar experience with the buses outside New Street station in Birmingham on my last visit. The screen showed my bus getting closer and closer until it disappeared off the screen while it was supposedly 2 minutes away and never turned up. I had to wait for the next scheduled bus. RTPI is still a much better system than existed previously where there was no real time information and and the timetable was a work of fiction.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    lxflyer wrote: »
    Well I would suggest that if you are living near the terminus, you should be using the timetable as your prime source of information. RTPI really is useful mid-route as it allows people to see when the bus ought to be at their stop, rather than having to guess using departure times.

    I don't actually live near a terminus, I was citing that as an example. I've still seen buses vanish off the system that were supposedly a few minutes away, never to arrive. Surely though the whole point of a real time system is that you use the timetable initially to get an idea of both how frequent the bus should be, and what time it's supposed to leave at, and then shortly before beginning your journey you check the real time system to see if any delays have affected your bus? Regardless of whether you live near a terminus or not.
    The vast majority of the time the system works, but there will always be certain circumstances where it doesn't unfortunately.
    I don't think I've ever stood on Eden quay for any length of time without at least one of the displays near me either showing a bus which doesn't appear, and then vanishes, or showing a bus as being due to depart in a couple of minutes, which then leaves early.
    I've also found it's usually quite bad for cross-city buses, for some reason. Even at a stop midway into town - the estimated arrival for most buses is generally accurate, but the cross-city ones are regularly out by a couple of minutes (either way) for some odd reason.
    Buses shouldn't be leaving the terminus early in any case, unless it is by instruction from central control. That shouldn't happen anymore as it ought to flag up to central control
    Well that much is good, anyway.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    Beano wrote: »
    Dont think that problem with RTPI is in anyway unique to Dublin Bus. I had a very similar experience with the buses outside New Street station in Birmingham on my last visit. The screen showed my bus getting closer and closer until it disappeared off the screen while it was supposedly 2 minutes away and never turned up. I had to wait for the next scheduled bus. RTPI is still a much better system than existed previously where there was no real time information and and the timetable was a work of fiction.

    Would ye Whisht up outa that.....EVERYBODY knows that these things happen ONLY on Dublin Bus !! :o ,and no more talk of things gettin better either...or you'll get given out to :eek:


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭Beano


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    Would ye Whisht up outa that.....EVERYBODY knows that these things happen ONLY on Dublin Bus !! :o ,and no more talk of things gettin better either...or you'll get given out to :eek:

    I still think they should bring back the clippies. Cut down on the dwell time at stops and might put manners on the gougers on the top deck.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 687 ✭✭✭Five Lamps


    MOH wrote: »
    Certainly not by me, and I'd imagine a fair proportion of the travelling public. By definition a bus that's late can't be on time. Is this DB's official view? It would certainly explain a lot

    It's actually something I've seen on bus stops in other countries.
    From the DB website, "Real Time Information will show you when your bus is due to arrive at your bus stop so you can plan your journey more accurately."
    It's a table of such times, which is pretty much the definition of a timetable.
    Actually it's not if you read it. It's still real time information with due being a predicted value.
    Again, not by passengers. The only possible reason for this list on the DB website is a comms fault between the bus and the server. If there's common situations which can cause a bus not to be displayed then they really need to list these.

    So far from this thread, I gather that if my stop is a minute or two the terminus, I check RTPI just before my bus is timetabled to depart, and my bus isn't listed for my stop then one of these is true:
    - my bus isn't running for some reason (mechanical failure, etc)
    - my bus has left "on time" two minutes early and I've missed it
    - the incoming bus is late, my bus will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is missing, and it will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is on it but hasn't switched on the machine yet: it will arrive as scheduled
    - my bus isn't listed for some other "valid" reason, its status is indeterminate

    If it is listed as being due in, say, 2 minutes:
    - it may not be listed next time I check, and any of the above may apply
    - it may have already passed my stop
    - it may arrive in less than two minutes
    - it may arrive in two minutes

    Does everything in life come up to your exacting expectations? I hope so. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,761 ✭✭✭cdebru


    MOH wrote: »
    Certainly not by me, and I'd imagine a fair proportion of the travelling public. By definition a bus that's late can't be on time. Is this DB's official view? It would certainly explain a lot


    From the DB website, "Real Time Information will show you when your bus is due to arrive at your bus stop so you can plan your journey more accurately."
    It's a table of such times, which is pretty much the definition of a timetable.


    Again, not by passengers. The only possible reason for this list on the DB website is a comms fault between the bus and the server. If there's common situations which can cause a bus not to be displayed then they really need to list these.

    So far from this thread, I gather that if my stop is a minute or two the terminus, I check RTPI just before my bus is timetabled to depart, and my bus isn't listed for my stop then one of these is true:
    - my bus isn't running for some reason (mechanical failure, etc)
    - my bus has left "on time" two minutes early and I've missed it
    - the incoming bus is late, my bus will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is missing, and it will be late
    - my bus is still at the terminus, the driver is on it but hasn't switched on the machine yet: it will arrive as scheduled
    - my bus isn't listed for some other "valid" reason, its status is indeterminate

    If it is listed as being due in, say, 2 minutes:
    - it may not be listed next time I check, and any of the above may apply
    - it may have already passed my stop
    - it may arrive in less than two minutes
    - it may arrive in two minutes


    The system has to work on the presumption that the timetable will be operated to and then correct when it isn't, as I said some of them could be avoided with a little bit more proactive action by the controller, if the bus is 20 minutes from a terminus but due to depart in 10 minutes a controller can take action and prevent the bus counting down then disappearing. If the bus is going to operate he can shift the departure time or he cif it won't operate he can remove it at that stage.

    However if something last minute happens like a mechanical fault or an ill driver, accident etc then not much can be done, if a bus was only added to the RTPI system when it was present and ready to leave as then it would be completely useless to those within the first few stops.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    Five Lamps wrote: »
    It's actually something I've seen on bus stops in other countries.
    That's nice. And to be honest, I can think of a few other countries I'd rather be living in commuting to work. But since I'm stuck here, other countries sadly aren't relevant.
    Actually it's not if you read it. It's still real time information with due being a predicted value.
    Timetable: "a list of the times when something (such as a bus, train, or airplane) is expected to leave or arrive". RTPI "will show you when your bus is due to arrive". Due: "required or expected to happen".

    Does everything in life come up to your exacting expectations? I hope so. :)
    I'm pretty easygoing about most things, but obviously expecting a system that's cost over €6.5m to perform as advertised is unreasonable. If the RTPI information had proper explanation of the various conditions that can affect its accuracy I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, but it's being presented as a blanket, accurate, real time system, when in my experience it's frequently not. Doesn't help that the FAQ page is 3 years out of date.
    cdebru wrote: »
    The system has to work on the presumption that the timetable will be operated to and then correct when it isn't, as I said some of them could be avoided with a little bit more proactive action by the controller, if the bus is 20 minutes from a terminus but due to depart in 10 minutes a controller can take action and prevent the bus counting down then disappearing. If the bus is going to operate he can shift the departure time or he cif it won't operate he can remove it at that stage.

    However if something last minute happens like a mechanical fault or an ill driver, accident etc then not much can be done, if a bus was only added to the RTPI system when it was present and ready to leave as then it would be completely useless to those within the first few stops.

    Obviously there's going to be last minute stuff and technical issues that can't be predicted. But if it requires manual intervention for things like the incoming bus being late beyond the departure time from the terminus, you've got to question the system design and why that can't be handled automatically.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,761 ✭✭✭cdebru


    MOH wrote: »
    That's nice. And to be honest, I can think of a few other countries I'd rather be living in commuting to work. But since I'm stuck here, other countries sadly aren't relevant.


    Timetable: "a list of the times when something (such as a bus, train, or airplane) is expected to leave or arrive". RTPI "will show you when your bus is due to arrive". Due: "required or expected to happen".



    I'm pretty easygoing about most things, but obviously expecting a system that's cost over €6.5m to perform as advertised is unreasonable. If the RTPI information had proper explanation of the various conditions that can affect its accuracy I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, but it's being presented as a blanket, accurate, real time system, when in my experience it's frequently not. Doesn't help that the FAQ page is 3 years out of date.



    Obviously there's going to be last minute stuff and technical issues that can't be predicted. But if it requires manual intervention for things like the incoming bus being late beyond the departure time from the terminus, you've got to question the system design and why that can't be handled automatically.

    Main reason is that even though the bus supposed to do a particular journey may be late, often those journeys are covered by other buses. Also what will happen depends on numerous other factors the bus may operate late or not operate at all.So just because a bus is running late doesn't mean the next journey definitely won't operate hence an automated removal from the RTPI would not work either. However an automated alert to the controller that a future operation is unlikely to occur on time would be useful but that may already exist I don't know but I doubt it does.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,516 ✭✭✭✭ArmaniJeanss


    MOH wrote: »

    Obviously there's going to be last minute stuff and technical issues that can't be predicted. But if it requires manual intervention for things like the incoming bus being late beyond the departure time from the terminus, you've got to question the system design and why that can't be handled automatically.

    The system would have to know that the number 70 Bus currently heading to Baggot Street is going to be a 38 on its reverse journey in order to give an accurate rtpi for the people waiting on the 38. I can see how this would be very tricky to do.

    A simple step they could make is to differentiate between timetables and actuals on the on-street-display, so the system could say '7Min A' for buses which are on the way and '19 Min T' if this estimate is just based on the timetable. It would at least cut some of the 'the screen counted down from 17 to 3 and then disappeared' annoyances.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭KD345


    MOH wrote: »

    I'm pretty easygoing about most things, but obviously expecting a system that's cost over €6.5m to perform as advertised is unreasonable. If the RTPI information had proper explanation of the various conditions that can affect its accuracy I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, but it's being presented as a blanket, accurate, real time system, when in my experience it's frequently not. Doesn't help that the FAQ page is 3 years out of date.

    You need to remember that this service is 'real time' and will always be affected by various things. It will never be 100% accurate. For example, if there is an incident on a bus (attack, breakdown, passenger problem, traffic issue) then this will have an immediate impact on the service, and anybody waiting at a bus stop further on the route will see their bus count down, stop and then disappear. They don't know the reason, but will automatically point the finger at the inaccurate RTPI system.

    I use multiple buses daily and rely heavily on the app for connections. I find it fine the majority of the time, but I understand that the nature of city bus services will throw up unexpected issues. For example, only last week I was on a bus which had to come out of service due to an incident on the bus. It was unavoidable, but had an immediate impact on the RTPI system. Not only did it impact the few stops ahead, but also on the return journey that bus was due to make from its outer terminus, and possibly it's next lap too.

    MOH, have you contacted Transport For Ireland regarding your issues? If its a reoccurring problem at a particular stop then there could be a specific problem with the times for that stop.

    You do have a point saying the on street screens could provide some more information on the reason for delays. This does happen on occasions, but usually for planned events such as marches or diversions etc. Passengers like to be informed of events affecting their journey. It gives them the option of making alternative arrangements.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    MOH wrote: »
    That's nice. And to be honest, I can think of a few other countries I'd rather be living in commuting to work. But since I'm stuck here, other countries sadly aren't relevant.

    Timetable: "a list of the times when something (such as a bus, train, or airplane) is expected to leave or arrive". RTPI "will show you when your bus is due to arrive". Due: "required or expected to happen".

    I'm pretty easygoing about most things, but obviously expecting a system that's cost over €6.5m to perform as advertised is unreasonable. If the RTPI information had proper explanation of the various conditions that can affect its accuracy I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, but it's being presented as a blanket, accurate, real time system, when in my experience it's frequently not. Doesn't help that the FAQ page is 3 years out of date.

    Obviously there's going to be last minute stuff and technical issues that can't be predicted. But if it requires manual intervention for things like the incoming bus being late beyond the departure time from the terminus, you've got to question the system design and why that can't be handled automatically.

    I think that you're taking the words a little too literally.

    No system is ever going to be able to tell you accurately to the second when a bus is due. It can, however, give the best estimate of when a bus can be expected to arrive at the stop, assuming normal traffic conditions are prevailing.


    The NTA do say this on their website:
    http://www.transportforireland.ie/faq/real-time/
    How accurate is the information?

    The National Transport Authority is committed to working with the bus companies to provide as accurate a service as possible.

    Recent surveys in June 2013 in Dublin show the system has an average accuracy of 96% of services arriving within 60 seconds of the 'due' prediction. Continued development will further increase the accuracy. The National Transport Authority has recently commissioned an independent surveyor to test the system in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

    Real Time Information is complex and prone to issues arising from traffic congestion, communications and operational issues. The best and most expensive bus based Real Time systems in the world do not achieve much more than 90% accuracy. There will always be cases where issues will arise. For the vast majority of time, and for the vast majority of people, RTPI gives valuable and valued information.

    The National Transport Authority welcome feedback from the travelling public who can access a feedback form on this website. The system will be fine-tuned in response to testing and feedback.



    The Bus did not arrive when at the time stated by the App/Website

    The real time system is by its nature dynamic and is set to respond to factors on the road, including changes in traffic patterns, accidents, etc. In general though, the margin of error is less than one minute for predictions of five minutes away or less. For ten-minute predictions, the margin of error is less than two minutes, the margin increases the further away in time the prediction is, as the probability of intervening events increases.

    The NTA commission independent surveys and are inviting public feedback to feed into this development. We welcome feedback from the travelling public who can access a feedback form on this website. The system will be fine-tuned in response to testing and feedback.


    What are the factors that may affect the accuracy of Real Time Information?


    Operational considerations

    The Dublin Bus Network carries, on an average week day, approximately 400,000 passengers, on a fleet of 1,000 buses, stopping at approximately 5,000 stops. Bus Éireann has a fleet of 600 buses stopping at approximately 3500 stops. Unlike trains or trams, buses move in various directions, they stop more often and are subject to traffic congestion or disruptions. When the number of stops are compared to LUAS (49 stops) and DART (31 stops), the extent and complexity of Dublin’s Bus system can be seen. With such an extensive bus system, technical problems or operational disruptions can sometimes occur.

    Unanticipated problems such as a road closure or a mechanical problem can sometimes affect bus services. Occasional incidents can occur where a street is closed e.g., on St Patrick's Day, for a march or a big sporting occasion. In such cases, Bus Inspectors sometimes need to make a short notice change to scheduled bus services and it may not always be possible to reflect this on individual signs.

    The real time system was developed to respond as far as possible to service disruptions – e.g., if a bus is stuck in traffic the waiting time can increase – however some disruptions could still affect the accuracy of the prediction.

    Software and communication considerations

    Occasionally a fault may occur in communications between the central server and the on-bus equipment.

    Occasionally software updates may be required – Bus Éireann is currently implementing network changes throughout their services, which means that services and schedules are changing and information is being updated regularly.


    Why does the waiting time increase or stay the same for a number of minutes sometimes?

    Real time information predicts the actual time of arrival by knowing where the bus is currently located. Your bus could arrive right at the time shown or it could occasionally get stuck in traffic so the arrival time on display at the bus stop can sometimes change back and forward accordingly. This service aims to provide the most immediate and accurate information to the waiting passenger at that point in time.

    There are certain issues on top of that (such as driver changes etc.) that affect the system.

    I think that expecting the live system to be able to follow from one duty to another is a bit much. It's always going to need manual intervention if a bus is running late on one trip, as a human decision will need to be made as to whether the next trip will simply run late, be curtailed, or be cancelled.

    However, I think some better way of communicating these latter situations needs to be arrived at - it's very frustrating when buses don't show up on time, without explanation, but I'm not sure how you can do that - probably live updates on the web for each route, but that's a lot of work I imagine in terms of systems development.


  • Registered Users Posts: 145 ✭✭steveblack


    Was told everything crashed this morning, Real Time Information, ticket validator and the radio.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 829 ✭✭✭smellmepower


    Anyone know why the 13 was diverted away from the Fonthill Road and on to the route of the old 51B today?driver just said there was an incident.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,042 ✭✭✭zl1whqvjs75cdy


    Garda car ran over a pedestrian from what I can gather on the news. Road closed since about 11.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,468 ✭✭✭✭OldNotWIse


    Beano wrote: »
    I still think they should bring back the clippies. Cut down on the dwell time at stops and might put manners on the gougers on the top deck.


    Sounds like something you'd need a course of amoxicillin for. What are the clippies? Inspectors? I think I've seen two in my life :P


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,468 ✭✭✭✭OldNotWIse


    steveblack wrote: »
    Was told everything crashed this morning, Real Time Information, ticket validator and the radio.


    The Purge part III - for 30 minutes, all fare evasion shall be legal :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,930 ✭✭✭adocholiday


    The RTPI indicator at Heuston Station for the 145 is a complete disaster. So much so that I've emailed Dublin Bus about it but just got a stock response back. The buses are coming from Wicklow to Heuston, so the RTPI is estimating the next departure based on their distance from the station. It regularly will say the next bus departs in 15 minutes or whatever but then that will disappear from the board after some time, or else a bus comes along and the driver will park up (i.e. not departing), and then you have to wait for the next one. I have been at the stop multiple times where this could happen with 2 or 3 buses in a row. It annoys me so much. If it said that the next bus is in 40 minutes I could make my way home on an alternative route instead of waiting for phantom buses.

    If the driver is due a break then that bus shouldn't display on the next departures board.


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