Go-Ahead Dublin City Routes - Updates and Discussion

ax586

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

They never wanted the huge increase in service NTA and Go Ahead gave them anyway!!!!!!!

They just wanted what Dublin Bus gave them!!!!!!!!!!!

The NTA dont have a clue

For starters the NTA give the extra services not GAI..GAI didn't want to go into the estate in the first place plus there was 2 certain politician's that wants a service in there for the hole day..a few bus mirror have being lost in there aswel by the tree's as the cars are parked at the bend can't blame everything on the bus driver..Just yesterday at maple grove I couldn't get through because off 2 cars parked right across from each other and a truck behind it

Qrt

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

They never wanted the huge increase in service NTA and Go Ahead gave them anyway!!!!!!!

They just wanted what Dublin Bus gave them!!!!!!!!!!!

The NTA dont have a clue

How much as the frequency changed?

Annasopra

Qrt wrote: »

How much as the frequency changed?

I think approximately 3 or 4 buses to palermo a day used to goto Palermo

Now its about 30

devnull

Been on 4 Go-Ahead services this week, can't say I had a problem, drivers excellent and friendly.

Despite being my first time on a GAI Streetlite I didn't find them that bad, clearly more of a lightweight single deck than a proper Volvo Eclipse and not built as well, but nothing awful and it even had 40 seats, which is 12 more than some people and politicians claim

ax586

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I think approximately 3 or 4 buses to palermo a day used to goto Palermo

Now its about 30

Yea way to much

punisher5112

During the day there was a Palermo bus that ran after 9am till before 6pm and then there were a few 185 that ran in on enniskerry service.

20 mins each way was given so only about 10mins driving.

This was because faseroe was deemed under health and safety as bus couldn't turn without reversing.

ED E

Private vehicles obstructing routes is some thing DB Control seem to have no interest in solving. When a bus lane is blocked they see it, are impacted by it, but as far as we can tell do nothing.


Is there any appetite inside GAI to have busses radio control whenever impeded and let them chase the LA(DCC) or Gardai (DLR, SDCC, Fingal) to get the towers out. Gives them a smoother time sticking to the timetable and will "train" motorists out of acting the gombeen.

devnull

Really there is the technology to capture these drivers obstructing the roads with enough cameras to give them on the spot fines which really needs to be happening but the trouble with Ireland is that such things we are lax about when we really need zero tolerance.

I was on Aircoach to the airport last night and in the space of 5 minutes I saw some guy driving half in one lane and half in the other (I really hate people who do this) blocking the bus lane, followed by towards Whitehall some guy coming roaring past us on the no entry markings on the right before darting back inside and the driver having to hit hard on the breaks.

The problem is every time I see a track offence the Garda are just giving people a ticking off and so they keep doing it, only when there is a serious campaign of zero tolerance will the selfish motorists get the message.

Stephen15

devnull wrote: »

Been on 4 Go-Ahead services this week, can't say I had a problem, drivers excellent and friendly.

Despite being my first time on a GAI Streetlite I didn't find them that bad, clearly more of a lightweight single deck than a proper Volvo Eclipse and not built as well, but nothing awful and it even had 40 seats, which is 12 more than some people and politicians claim

I would have preferred if they bought 20 of the shorter wheelbase Streetlites. I think the main problem with the Streetlites they got is their length as they are a midibus but the length of a full size single decker. Also I've heard these buses are not wheelchair friendly as the chassis is very narrow and there are a number of handrails in the way meaning it's tight for a wheelchair to board.

They were meant to be used on the 59 a route with passenger volumes suitable for single deck operation but they have to use a double as the terminus in Killiney was too tight to take a Streetlite Max. I would have preferred they got 20 shorter Streetlites and used them on the 59, 63, 161, 236, 238 and 239 and bought 20 B8RLEs for the 33a, 33b, 104, 184, 185, 220 and 270 could put them on the 17, 18 and 76 aswell when it's less busy.

Stephen15

ED E wrote: »

Private vehicles obstructing routes is some thing DB Control seem to have no interest in solving. When a bus lane is blocked they see it, are impacted by it, but as far as we can tell do nothing.


Is there any appetite inside GAI to have busses radio control whenever impeded and let them chase the LA(DCC) or Gardai (DLR, SDCC, Fingal) to get the towers out. Gives them a smoother time sticking to the timetable and will "train" motorists out of acting the gombeen.

I saw an incident in Italy where a parked car was blocking a bus from getting through. A traffic warden was sent out aswell as a tow truck with hiab on it to lift the car to be impounded. I was impressed with how quick the hiab managed to lift the car the whole process took about 5 minutes from the time the bus was blocked until it could get through.

Back to the topic of the 185 though. Palermo does not require any sort of regular bus service it is a short walk to the Dublin Road where residents can catch the 45a/b, 84/a, 145 or 155 into Bray town itself if they can't already walk there anyway. If it does have to get some sort of bus service then perhaps they could send an off peak 45a or 84a into the estate similar to the way the 45a goes into Shanganagh Cliffs a few times a day as the 45b.

spoonerhead

Muller1991 wrote: »

20 Minutes for that loop ? Aside from stopping at each stop for 5 minutes is traffic heavy this morning ? Ive to take that bus on tuesday morning , Might rethink that decision.

Traffic is light this week! I’m a frequent user and this happens to me at least twice a week. The drivers are sometimes told to completely stop to keep the flow of buses consistent. If you’re using the 17 always get the earlier one, I’m either 30 minutes early or right on time for work

Here we go

spoonerhead wrote: »

Traffic is light this week! I’m a frequent user and this happens to me at least twice a week. The drivers are sometimes told to completely stop to keep the flow of buses consistent. If you’re using the 17 always get the earlier one, I’m either 30 minutes early or right on time for work

The stopping at bus stops may stop soon there's been issues with that out in Newcastle Garda have warned drivers of stopping at a stop on a road with a single white line 8 drivers I know of have been stopped and told if it happens again they'll get a ticket apparently management knows (according to the gaurd ) but has not told drivers about it yet or advised drivers not to continue the practice

devlinio

The 102 is a lot more frequent and runs later (even after midnight on Sunday nights), but I hate the single decker buses.

ninebeanrows

devlinio wrote: »

The 102 is a lot more frequent and runs later (even after midnight on Sunday nights), but I hate the single decker buses.

The 102 often doesn't turn up? For example today's 1930 bus.

and then you are waiting an hour.

The buses are miniature and flimsy.

It's a terrible service.

punisher5112

I would love to know who the person was that signed off on the streetlites......

devnull

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would love to know who the person was that signed off on the streetlites......

Unfortunately nobody signs off on a particular type of vehicle as they have to be advertised as a tender and whoever scores the highest on the tender scoring matrix gets the contract.

In reality since the NTA were wisely looking at a full service contract as well as providing the buses and ADL only really offer integral products which have no dealer support network in place on the island and MCV not having the capacity to provide large numbers of Volvo based single deckers in a short space of time and Mercedes never being cheaper, Wright would always have a bit of an advantage here based on existing infrastructure and build times.

Stephen15

devnull wrote: »

In reality since the NTA were wisely looking at a full service contract as well as providing the buses and ADL only really offer integral products which have no dealer support network in place on the island and MCV not having the capacity to provide large numbers of Volvo based single deckers in a short space of time and Mercedes never being cheaper, Wright would always have a bit of an advantage here based on existing infrastructure and build times.

I find it odd that Translink have gone for Optare Versas for their single deckers rather than Streetlites or Wright bodied B8RLEs especially considering all the double deckers they've got are Wright bodied apart from their remaining ALX400s.

Stephen15

I've yet to travel on a Streetlite and I'm in no hurry either. I hear the DB ones for the 44b are already in poor condition although this may be more to do with DBs internal maintenance rather than the actual bus itself in a similar manner to the way the WVs were falling apart which have a strong case for worst bus ever purchased by DB.

devnull

Stephen15 wrote: »

I find it odd that Translink have gone for Optare Versas for their single deckers rather than Streetlites or Wright bodied B8RLEs especially considering all the double deckers they've got are Wright bodied apart from their remaining ALX400s.

I believe the Optare vehicles supplied to Translink have been supplied with similar Mercedes parts, including the engines that are used in Streetlites, so they would probably get some kind of support as the Streetlites do from Mercedes.

Not so sure they'd be able to put together such a large order as Wright did for the NTA in a short time-frame though and any news I've seen hasn't mentioned any kind of repair & maintenance contract either, which very much is the way that things are often done these days as it gives operators piece of mind whilst giving the manufacturer no excuse when there are problems.

Deckers are a completely different ball-game because ALX400s with Volvo chassis will be supported by Volvo themselves, Scania chassis deckers will be supported by Scania as well and then you have the Wright Streetdeck Integral, the ADL 400MMC integral and the Optare Metrodecker Integral.

There's just not a whole lot of body on chassis options for single deckers these days, as ADL only build on their own bodies really these days, Wright will build you Eclipses on Volvos if you pay them enough (the last batch for Lothian, they really had to pay for!) but they don't really want to and will always offer the Streetlite at a lower cost and MCV will build small numbers of Volvo based single decks but really don't have the capacity to build 50-60 in a short space of time. Then you're left with Mercedes (excellent but not cheap vehicles) and the Streetlite and some Optare vehicles.

The big focus on integrals in recent years, coupled with the moved to a lightweight vehicles, the withdrawal of Scania (who do have a presence in Ireland and could offer comprehensive support) from anything other than a double decker chassis provider hasn't helped with this and the fact we're on an Island where not all of the builders have proper support and maintenance facilities really does restrict choice and leaves those with these facilities as better placed to offer a full package. On the other hand, when it comes to GB, ADLs integrals without doubt has an advantage over Wrightbus' as they're not having to inccur the costs of moving everything over the Irish sea.

Volvo based deckers are always going to be likely here a the moment as Volvo has an EXCELLENT dealer, sales and support and repair and maintenance operation. Much of the success of Volvo in both the bus and coach market in Ireland is down to their after-market support which rivals cannot match. Likewise Wright having their base on the Island of Ireland also helps with these things too.

I'm no huge fan of Streetlites either and would prefer a proper single decker, I don't think they're a bad bus, but they're not the best single decker out there, but I see why they won the tender and why Volvo consistently wins double deck tenders, they just can offer the support, backup and capacity to build lots of vehicles quickly that many of their competitors cannot on this Island.

GM228

Here we go wrote: »

The stopping at bus stops may stop soon there's been issues with that out in Newcastle Garda have warned drivers of stopping at a stop on a road with a single white line 8 drivers I know of have been stopped and told if it happens again they'll get a ticket apparently management knows (according to the gaurd ) but has not told drivers about it yet or advised drivers not to continue the practice

A ticket for what exactly, once there is a designated bus stop the Guard could well find himself red faced.

I don't know the area, but I'm guessing the Guard is getting mixed up with the less than three "traffic lanes" solid white line rule which they often get mixed up with a two "lane" road with a solid white line.

ax586

Here we go wrote: »

The stopping at bus stops may stop soon there's been issues with that out in Newcastle Garda have warned drivers of stopping at a stop on a road with a single white line 8 drivers I know of have been stopped and told if it happens again they'll get a ticket apparently management knows (according to the gaurd ) but has not told drivers about it yet or advised drivers not to continue the practice

I had a issue with this guard last week..I told him where to go because he said the bus shouldn't stop at the stop because cars had to over take on the white line..but when I pointed to him that there are cars parked on the road and you have to overtake them so what is difference and said what you going to do about that he got back into his jeep apparently he had the same issue with DB oh I got his badge number and hasn't hassled me since ��

Here we go

Apparently at least 16 drivers didn't show up today. On another note I'm told bus eireann have there driving assesments today

Stephen15

Here we go wrote: »

Apparently at least 16 drivers didn't show up today. On another note I'm told bus eireann have there driving assesments today

And you don't think there's days when DB or BE struggle to get drivers. Look at the service being provided by BE on the Navan corridor with regular staffing issues buses being cancelled and BE services replaced with hire ins. Staffing issues appear to be a problem with all public transport operators and not just in Ireland.

devnull

Stephen15 wrote: »

And you don't think there's days when DB or BE struggle to get drivers. Look at the service being provided by BE on the Navan corridor with regular staffing issues buses being cancelled and BE services replaced with hire ins.

It's very rare a day goes past when there isn't an article on the BE website talking about service disruption in the eastern region and services being cancelled although today it's outside their control.

.G.

Yeah thats why they are hiring all the Go ahead lads:D

ax586

Here we go wrote: »

Apparently at least 16 drivers didn't show up today. On another note I'm told bus eireann have there driving assesments today

30 yesterday it was the Dublin bus assessment on

Stephen15

ax586 wrote: »

30 yesterday it was the Dublin bus assessment on

Have they managed to replace all the drivers that left so far?

Yer Da sells Avon

Here we go wrote: »

Apparently at least 16 drivers didn't show up today. On another note I'm told bus eireann have there driving assesments today

Vast improvement on yesterday, so.

Stephen15 wrote:

Have they managed to replace all the drivers that left so far?

Nope, not even close. And even if they did somehow manage to, they'll be losing a lot more in the coming weeks. It's the passengers I feel sorry for. They think things are bad now...

Stephen15

Yer Da sells Avon wrote: »

Nope, not even close. And even if they did somehow manage to, they'll be losing a lot more in the coming weeks. It's the passengers I feel sorry for. They think things are bad now...

DB must be struggling to get drivers aswell their recruitment was orginally meant to end in at the end of January then it got extended until the end of March now it's running until the end of June. There must be a shortage of bus drivers across all operators Aircoach for example had to start accepting car licence holders and training them up for the first time and so did Dualway I believe. I wonder are they not getting suitable applicants or is it a lack of people applying?

punisher5112

Stephen15 wrote: »

DB must be struggling to get drivers aswell their recruitment was orginally meant to end in at the end of January then it got extended until the end of March now it's running until the end of June. There must be a shortage of bus drivers across all operators Aircoach for example had to start accepting car licence holders and training them up for the first time and so did Dualway I believe. I wonder are they not getting suitable applicants or is it a lack of people applying?

Both.

db would even have turned down quite a few even with experience as they would be found to be quite poor.

Stephen15

punisher5112 wrote: »

Both.

db would even have turned down quite a few even with experience as they would be found to be quite poor.

Surely if they are struggling to get drivers they'd take what they can get.

punisher5112

Stephen15 wrote: »

Surely if they are struggling to get drivers they'd take what they can get.

Safety is a big thing which in all the bad I will say about the place it is one thing they take seriously...

Here we go

ax586 wrote: »

30 yesterday it was the Dublin bus assessment on

16 at 6 am this morning no idea how much it grew after that

Stephen15

punisher5112 wrote: »

Safety is a big thing which in all the bad I will say about the place it is one thing they take seriously...

If they are going to be expanding their services then they'll probably have to except that they may have to lower their high standards. I've been on GAI buses a number of times I can't say there's any noticeable difference in the driving standards. I was actually on a DB bus recently that was involved in an accident albeit minor but it was due to driver error.

If it's good enough for the privates then it should be good enough for DB surely and privates would be more sensitive to claims as they aren't self insured like CIE companies.

ninebeanrows

Disgraceful performance from 102 today.

Somebody must step in to sort it

Buses showing in realtime and not showing- pure trickery.

Joke shop- will be sending in my taxi receipts with local TD backing

polaro

DB training centre is running at full capacity training new drivers, no end in sight
Constant flow of GAI drivers are up at training centre for evaluation and job with DB, got to be hurting GAI
New DB depot is under construction in Broadstone, possibly for Bus Connects???
New DB uniform will be rolling out in the next few months
Positive atmosphere among DB staff, the future looks to be good

DB driver!

polaro

Stephen15 wrote: »

Surely if they are struggling to get drivers they'd take what they can get.

DB take safety very seriously, under no circumstances will they drop standards, it would only cost big money in the long term, the courts usually award huge payouts agains DB for the smallest of incidents

polaro

Stephen15 wrote: »

If they are going to be expanding their services then they'll probably have to except that they may have to lower their high standards. I've been on GAI buses a number of times I can't say there's any noticeable difference in the driving standards. I was actually on a DB bus recently that was involved in an accident albeit minor but it was due to driver error.

If it's good enough for the privates then it should be good enough for DB surely and privates would be more sensitive to claims as they aren't self insured like CIE companies.

Many private drivers are ex DB drivers for a reason, many left on good terms, many did not.
Many did not even make the cut to become DB drivers, either medical reasons or driving ability.
Not all of the GAI drivers who have had a DB driving assessment have been accepted, make of that what you will

polaro

Stephen15 wrote: »

I'd imagine the problems stem from the fact the Bray routes are some of the furthest away from Ballymount by the sound of what you're saying if they had an outstation in Bray there probably wouldn't be so many issues. As you may be aware DB have always had an outstation in Bray where the 184 and 185 were based along with the 145, 84 and the 45 when it used to run and Donnybrook is nearer Bray than Ballymount.

184 was donnybrook based
185 enniskerry was donnybrook based, only got moved onto the 84 bill a few years ago
185 palermo was donnybrook based
45 only a few where bray based , the rest donnybrook

is_that_so

polaro wrote: »

DB take safety very seriously, under no circumstances will they drop standards, it would only cost big money in the long term, the courts usually award huge payouts agains DB for the smallest of incidents

Don't think it's as true now as the CIE group are one of the few entities who aggressively defend any claims.

polaro

Stephen15 wrote: »

I'd imagine the problems stem from the fact the Bray routes are some of the furthest away from Ballymount by the sound of what you're saying if they had an outstation in Bray there probably wouldn't be so many issues. As you may be aware DB have always had an outstation in Bray where the 184 and 185 were based along with the 145, 84 and the 45 when it used to run and Donnybrook is nearer Bray than Ballymount.

184 and 185 where donnybrook based
45 was donnybrook based except for 3 or 4 bray based
185 only went onto the 84 bill the last few year DB operated it.
84 is bray based

Here we go

polaro wrote: »

Many private drivers are ex DB drivers for a reason, many left on good terms, many did not.
Many did not even make the cut to become DB drivers, either medical reasons or driving ability.
Not all of the GAI drivers who have had a DB driving assessment have been accepted, make of that what you will

I have heard half fails assessment and half of those who got past that fail medical it would be much much worse if DB just took All GAI drivers that applied

XPS_Zero

polaro wrote: »

DB take safety very seriously, under no circumstances will they drop standards, it would only cost big money in the long term, the courts usually award huge payouts agains DB for the smallest of incidents

You can get a payout in this country for banging your head on a low hanging door frame, so I would imagine this is true.

XPS_Zero

polaro wrote: »

DB take safety very seriously, under no circumstances will they drop standards, it would only cost big money in the long term, the courts usually award huge payouts agains DB for the smallest of incidents

You can get a payout in this country for banging your head on a low hanging door frame, so I would imagine this is true.

punisher5112

XPS_Zero wrote: »

You can get a payout in this country for banging your head on a low hanging door frame, so I would imagine this is true.

Or riding the outside of a Luas and get over €500k....

LastStop

polaro wrote: »

New DB uniform will be rolling out in the next few months
Positive atmosphere among DB staff, the future looks to be good

DB driver!

Remember this in 5years when DB loses the contract to another operator and staff are fighting against TUPE again. Or in a few months when you are standing on the picket line because the company won't give a small increase due to the uncertainty that bus connects brings. or you're giving up more T&CS for a few pennies on the pound..... but at least you'll look good on the gate with the new uniform.

punisher5112

Lean management.,..

One thing backfired on them though was the ringing in sick to a private company to then be called back by a nurse and asking personal questions...

thomasj

I see that months later still, and there are still 220s going to kilmacanogue . They are stating that on the RTI screens at bus stops as well

CramCycle

LastStop wrote: »

Remember this in 5years when DB loses the contract to another operator and staff are fighting against TUPE again. Or in a few months when you are standing on the picket line because the company won't give a small increase due to the uncertainty that bus connects brings. or you're giving up more T&CS for a few pennies on the pound..... but at least you'll look good on the gate with the new uniform.

If they are TUPEd over, they will keep all their terms and conditions, in most cases this will never happen and the union will pull them in under DB again. In fact, sorry, what am I on about, no one will be TUPE'd over. They are DB drivers, unless a company take over all of DB all at once, that simply will not happen and makes no sense, they would have to build their wages and contract, and everything else into their tender.

Stephen15

CramCycle wrote: »

If they are TUPEd over, they will keep all their terms and conditions, in most cases this will never happen and the union will pull them in under DB again. In fact, sorry, what am I on about, no one will be TUPE'd over. They are DB drivers, unless a company take over all of DB all at once, that simply will not happen and makes no sense, they would have to build their wages and contract, and everything else into their tender.

I believe the disagreement to TUPE agreements is because some drivers feel they will be forced into accepting the incumbent operators terms and conditions if they switch over.