Go-Ahead Dublin City Routes - Updates and Discussion

Yer Da sells Avon

Recruitment closed for new applications.

Doesn't sound like they're struggling to find drivers...

soundman45

Any confirmation of payment rates I've been hearing 14.50 per hour rising to 16 per hour?

GM228

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

Recruitment closed for new applications.

Doesn't sound like they're struggling to find drivers...

No doubt the argument will quickly move from finding to retaining :pac:

AlekSmart

GM228 wrote: »

No doubt the argument will quickly move from finding to retaining :pac:

AFAIAA,GAD had over 1,000 applications,apparently with 60% from B Licence holders.
There are 5 Training Citaros now in place,but,of course...they can't get drivers....:rolleyes:

This big bad company,headquartered in ,of all places, ENGLAND :eek:!,will be thr ruination of Irelands Public Transport......meanwhile,elsewhere in the World....

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/bus-captains-to-get-more-say-in-schedules

Go-Ahead Singapore will look to give its bus captains more say in their schedules - from which shift hours they prefer to work to the duration of their meal breaks.

The company's managing director Nigel Wood said that by doing so, its 700 bus captains will be more motivated and more likely to stay with the company.

Shocking stuff indeed....when he should have the whip out !

Even worse comes later in the piece.....

Mr Wood said during a tour of the company's Loyang depot last Thursday that it will match drivers with routes that fit their requests, such as to have a short meal break of 30 minutes or a longer one of 11/2 hours. "We (will) take their feedback... and build schedules that are more family-or staff-friendly."

Some drivers may also want a "split-shift", which is to drive in the morning and then have a three- to four-hour break before resuming work in the evening.

Hopefully the Irish National Transport Authority will prevent this company implementing any of this colonial type of stuff here,as it would damage the moral fibre of our native aspiring Busdrivers.....:o

Contrails

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1714922

Still open for applicants on jobs.ie

The job itself actually disappeared from there sometime last week but has now resurfaced, and only updated today 22.06.18.

soundman45

What exactly are the pay rates. I heard 14.50 to start but what does it rise to?

dublinman1990

Here is a pic of the training bus with Go-Ahead near Dublin Airport. I found this on Flickr tonight.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/61975840@N04/42957704591/in/faves-155839993@N04/

Stephen15

dublinman1990 wrote: »

Here is a pic of the training bus with Go-Ahead near Dublin Airport. I found this on Flickr tonight.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/61975840@N04/42957704591/in/faves-155839993@N04/

Former London Bus by the looks of things

Yer Da sells Avon

Formerly of Oxford Bus Company. I think they've shipped around five of them over for training.

Also, it's not quite visible in the picture, but because Go-Ahead's depot has yet to open, the legal lettering on the nearside currently gives the address of their solicitors' office.

Stephen15

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

Formerly of Oxford Bus Company. I think they've shipped around five of them over for training.

Also, it's not quite visible in the picture, but because Go-Ahead's depot has yet to open, the legal lettering on the nearside currently gives the address of their solicitors' office.

Really I assumed it was a London bus as it's rare to see a dual door bus in the UK outside London. Looks in good shape for 03.

devnull

Stephen15 wrote: »

Really I assumed it was a London bus as it's rare to see a dual door bus in the UK outside London. Looks in good shape for 03.

Might have been in London before Oxford.

Very typical of operators to keep buses in London for first few years of their life then cascade them elsewhere, often removing the centre doors.

punisher5112

Reason they look fresh is the new shiny wrap and that model was kept same for so long.

soundman45

Has anyone here started training etc with go ahead yet. If so what's it like so far?

Qrt

Training bus went through Tallaght Village earlier today. 2003 registered, single deck.

ax586

I got the call today..I don’t start with them till September

Yer Da sells Avon

ax586 wrote: »

I got the call today..I don’t start with them till September

Congrats. Do you already have the D licence, or are they training you?

ax586

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

Congrats. Do you already have the D licence, or are they training you?

Thanks..yea I’ve the full D license already.

moonship

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

Congrats. Do you already have the D licence, or are they training you?

What money do they offer?

soundman45

It starts at €14.50 per hour goes up each year then for 5 years but that's the mystery nobody seems to know by how much at what the top rate is.

liger

ax586 wrote: »

Thanks..yea I’ve the full D license already.

Congrats on that. What was the interview like? how many interviewed you?

Just wondering what sort of training did they say you'd be getting, route training etc?

soundman45

Intreview is handy enough. Assessment on rules of the road etc. Then medical takes about 3 hrs in total though.

Yer Da sells Avon

soundman45 wrote: »

Then medical takes about 3 hrs in total though.

Like most medicals that require a urine test, much of that three hours is taken up by grown men being plied with water because they can't pee.

soundman45

Also as some previous posters here would have you believe they drop you off in dunlaoire and time you to see how long it takes you to get back to Ballymount as when.you work for them apparently you finish your shift in bray and walk back to Ballymount not like the privileged dublin bus workers that drove back to depots.

Stephen15

soundman45 wrote: »

walk back to Ballymount not like the privileged dublin bus workers that drove back to depots.

Not always some DB drivers take the bus back to the depot as a passenger on an in service rather than dead running back to the depot. Driver changes in DL or Bray driver takes 46a back to the depot for break if there's enough time or to collect car or bike at the end of a shift or takes bus home from DL at the end of a shift. Hardly any buses serve Ballymount.

ITV2

The reliable 56A does.

devnull

Go Ahead have released an update on their progress - key points highlighted below.
https://www.go-aheaddublin.ie/newsroom-2/go-ahead-ireland-enjoys-surge-recruitment-depot-nears-completion/

Go Ahead have seen approx 1,300 applicants for employment in the company.

In 2017, GAI won a competitive tender, run by the National Transport Authority, to take over the operation of 24 Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) bus routes. As part of the contract agreement GAI committed to working collaboratively as they establish their business operation in Ireland. In early July, the company will officially open their new bus depot in Ballymount, Dublin 12, where the majority of colleagues will be based.

"In order to service the 24 bus routes, we began recruiting for approximately 350 bus drivers in April and as of today we have received in excess of 1,300 applicants from both licence and non-licence holders. We are delighted at the quality of applications and numbers interested in having a career with us here in GAI", concluded Ed Wills.

Go-Ahead Ireland has signed an agreement with SIPTU to provide GAI with sole recognition for its employees

After a detailed consultation process GAI is pleased to announce an agreement with SIPTU (Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union). The agreement ensures our drivers and general operatives are represented in a mutually beneficial manner. We look forward to working alongside SIPTU now and into the future on matters relating to collective bargaining", said Ed Wills, Managing Director of GAI at today's announcement.

It's also been confirmed that Go-Ahead Ireland will begin to operate the 24 routes from September 2018 and complete the process by January 2019.

Dr Brown

soundman45 wrote: »

It starts at €14.50 per hour goes up each year then for 5 years but that's the mystery nobody seems to know by how much at what the top rate is.

That's yellow pack wages for someone in such a responsible job.

It should be more like 20 Euro per Hour.

soundman45

It's good the have recognised a trade union from the beginning. Starting rate is just that and if there is a decent rate of increase for staff it shouldn't be a problem to retain drivers. So many dublin bus employees want to see this fail and are happy to post negative comments here but the reality will be the NTA and Go Ahead will not let this happen if anything I would say bus operator's with contacts coming up for renewal will be at risk of being taken over by Go Ahead.

Dr Brown

soundman45 wrote: »

It's good the have recognised a trade union from the beginning. Starting rate is just that and if there is a decent rate of increase for staff it shouldn't be a problem to retain drivers. So many dublin bus employees want to see this fail and are happy to post negative comments here but the reality will be the NTA and Go Ahead will not let this happen if anything I would say bus operator's with contacts coming up for renewal will be at risk of being taken over by Go Ahead.

It's almost guaranteed to fail in the long term.

You only have to look at the UK and other countries to see that.

Privatization of public services has been a disaster just about everywhere its been tried.

devnull

Dr Brown wrote: »

It's almost guaranteed to fail in the long term.

You only have to look at the UK and other countries to see that.

Privatization of public services has been a disaster just about everywhere its been tried.

It is not privatisation as nothing is being sold.

Dr Brown

devnull wrote: »

It is not privatisation as nothing is being sold.

It's the first steps towards privatization.

marno21

Dr Brown wrote: »

It's the first steps towards privatization.

Dublin Bus were free to tender for this were they not?

If they can't compete that's their problem.

Qrt

marno21 wrote: »

Dublin Bus were free to tender for this were they not?

If they can't compete that's their problem.

Dublin Bus, like most of the transport services in this country, seem quite underfunded. Whereas Go-Ahead have millions and millions of capital behind them.

L1011

Qrt wrote: »

Dublin Bus, like most of the transport services in this country, seem quite underfunded. Whereas Go-Ahead have millions and millions of capital behind them.

Capital doesn't affect your cost base in an era of low interest - and DBs occasional losses/debts are zero interest anyway, to their own (profitable) parent. The tender was judged mostly on costs, partially on customer service - something Dublin Bus are definitely not known for.

Stephen15

I wonder what will happen to the Go-Ahead routes once these bus connects plans begin to be implemented. I assume they'll be reassigned other new routes.

Qrt

L1011 wrote: »

Capital doesn't affect your cost base in an era of low interest - and DBs occasional losses/debts are zero interest anyway, to their own (profitable) parent. The tender was judged mostly on costs, partially on customer service - something Dublin Bus are definitely not known for.

Funnily enough, I've never had a bad Dublin Bus customer service experience. They almost always reply to a firm tweet, and they even refunded my leap card once I sent them screenshots. Transdev are horrendous, the Luas account will v seldom reply.

Stephen15

What do you want by customer service I understand things like complaints which need to be dealt promptly and to a satisfactory resolution both parties. However I do think that bus drivers should not be given customer service in the same way as people working in private businesses.

I don't really care personally if the bus driver is grumpy and has a big long face as long as the bus gets me where I need to be going safely and on time.

howiya

Qrt wrote: »

Funnily enough, I've never had a bad Dublin Bus customer service experience. They almost always reply to a firm tweet, and they even refunded my leap card once I sent them screenshots. Transdev are horrendous, the Luas account will v seldom reply.

I think people here are misunderstanding customer service. A fundamental part of customer service is actually providing the service. It isn't whether or not the bus driver was grumpy or they replied to your tweet.

If you had to send them a firm tweet in the first place you have had a bad Dublin Bus customer service experience.

Qrt

howiya wrote: »

I think people here are misunderstanding customer service. A fundamental part of customer service is actually providing the service. It isn't whether or not the bus driver was grumpy or they replied to your tweet.

If you had to send them a firm tweet in the first place you have had a bad Dublin Bus customer service experience.

I'm at the end of the most congested bus route (as in the longest as per busconnects analysis) so the buses get caught up and don't arrive when they're supposed to. I always notice because they bring in older buses from other routes in the area. It's just the traffic.

markpb

Dr Brown wrote: »

It's the first steps towards privatization.

The state has been tendering for private companies to operate services for decades. Most of the traffic lights you'll see today are privately installed and maintained. Luas has been privately operated for almost 15 years years. DCC outsource some of their cleaning and security Jobs. Most hospitals outsource cleaning and other support services. Electric Ireland rely heavily on private companies for technology (and probably lots more).

It's all around you but you don't see it. What makes you think this particular tender is the start of privatisation?

ESB International makes a pile of cash operating in other countries, supplying services to their governments. To citizens of those countries, that's privatisation too. Are you against that as well?

Drifter50

devnull wrote: »

Go Ahead have released an update on their progress - key points highlighted below.
https://www.go-aheaddublin.ie/newsroom-2/go-ahead-ireland-enjoys-surge-recruitment-depot-nears-completion/

Go Ahead have seen approx 1,300 applicants for employment in the company.



Go-Ahead Ireland has signed an agreement with SIPTU to provide GAI with sole recognition for its employees



It's also been confirmed that Go-Ahead Ireland will begin to operate the 24 routes from September 2018 and complete the process by January 2019.

Good move by Go Ahead. This will be a bloody nose for Dermot and his NBRU mates, bet they have nothing good to say..........

AlekSmart

howiya wrote: »

I think people here are misunderstanding customer service. A fundamental part of customer service is actually providing the service. It isn't whether or not the bus driver was grumpy or they replied to your tweet.

If you had to send them a firm tweet in the first place you have had a bad Dublin Bus customer service experience.

This is the element which lost Bus Atha Cliath the 1st BMO contract.

However,that does not,of itself,guarantee that subsequent tender rounds will automatically go the same way...lessons learned and all of that ....;)

howiya

Qrt wrote: »

I'm at the end of the most congested bus route (as in the longest as per busconnects analysis) so the buses get caught up and don't arrive when they're supposed to. I always notice because they bring in older buses from other routes in the area. It's just the traffic.

Then you can’t say you’ve never had a bad customer service experience. Sounds like you’ve had plenty.

Qrt

howiya wrote: »

Then you can’t say you’ve never had a bad customer service experience. Sounds like you’ve had plenty.

I have, but it's rarely been due to any fault by Dublin Bus. Any company would have the same issues doing the route.

howiya

Qrt wrote: »

I have, but it's rarely been due to any fault by Dublin Bus. Any company would have the same issues doing the route.

That’s some change from your initial post when you said you’ve never had a bad customer service experience.

Qrt

howiya wrote: »

That’s some change from your initial post when you said you’ve never had a bad customer service experience.

I took customer service as the likes of getting information, refunds etc.

howiya

Qrt wrote: »

I took customer service as the likes of getting information, refunds etc.

And not the actual service??

Let’s stay with the information part. You’re tweeting DB because the information isn’t readily available on their app or website. Wouldn’t it be a better experience if the information was already there?

On any given day a number of tweets from DB will say a service did not operate for operational reasons. Can Dublin Bus not publish and update a list of services they are unable to operate each day?

Three customers were told on Twitter their bus service didn’t operate this morning due to a staffing issue.

Then look at their twitter first thing on a Monday morning. They are replying to people who tweeted them after 7pm on Saturday night wondering if the person got their bus. No twitter coverage on a Sunday.

These things are in the control of the company.

end of the road

Drifter50 wrote: »

Good move by Go Ahead. This will be a bloody nose for Dermot and his NBRU mates, bet they have nothing good to say..........

nope, not any bloody nose for dermot and co at all. some companies have always picked 1 specific union to represent staff at first, with other unions gaining entry eventually if enough members of those other unions join. so nothing to see here. and if siptu need to call a strike they will do so.

Peregrine

end of the road wrote: »

nope, not any bloody nose for dermot and co at all. some companies have always picked 1 specific union to represent staff at first, with other unions gaining entry eventually if enough members of those other unions join. so nothing to see here. and if siptu need to call a strike they will do so.

Jesus. A mere mention of a union and you're already threatening a strike. As if that's the main purpose of unions. Not resolving members' issues or anything, just strike. It's not "SIPTU will also engage with management and look after the welfare of its members", it's "SIPTU will strike too". What a mindset.

And you wonder why nobody likes unions.

Stephen Gawking

soundman45 wrote: »

It's good the have recognised a trade union from the beginning. Starting rate is just that and if there is a decent rate of increase for staff it shouldn't be a problem to retain drivers. So many dublin bus employees want to see this fail and are happy to post negative comments here but the reality will be the NTA and Go Ahead will not let this happen if anything I would say bus operator's with contacts coming up for renewal will be at risk of being taken over by Go Ahead.

Yeah be sure that worked out well for transdev didn't it. How siptu can claim to represent staff in Dublin bus & staff in go ahead is beyond logic. Surely there's a potential conflict of interest here...