Coronavirus and the effect on Public transport

.anon.

I open all the windows before I leave the garage, and then I reopen any that have been closed at the end of each run. Not once have I found them all closed.

punisher5112

.anon. wrote: »

I open all the windows before I leave the garage, and then I reopen any that have been closed at the end of each run. Not once have I found them all closed.

All open is extreme to be honest.

3 scattered downstairs and say 4 or so upstairs again scattered does a grand job.... With the weather the way it is its way too much having all open.

GT89

Is the heating on buses still used?

.anon.

punisher5112 wrote: »

All open is extreme to be honest.

3 scattered downstairs and say 4 or so upstairs again scattered does a grand job.... With the weather the way it is its way too much having all open.

It means that half of them will usually remain open. I found that when I only opened a handful of windows around the bus, they'd all be closed fairly promptly.

L1011

trellheim wrote: »

A good point - why have DB not put wedges in to ensure they remain open ?

Couldn't wash the buses then

punisher5112

GT89 wrote: »

Is the heating on buses still used?

Yes but notoriously poor or not working at all....

The SG are terrible.

GT89

punisher5112 wrote: »

Yes but notoriously poor or not working at all....

The SG are terrible.

I find the heating decent on the sgs warmer than the likes of the EV and AX. Think it's better on the newer SGs from 2018 up.

john boye

In fairness the heating on the GT/SG types is much more reliable in my experience. It takes hours to warm up on the AX/EV and that's if it works at all.

punisher5112

Ra and RV were the best... Actually to good.

GT89

Seen the new seating arrangements on the buses todays seems to be 50% of seats available downstairs but only 25% of seats available upstairs. I'm guessing the virus is more likely to strike if you're sitting upstairs on a double decker bus.

ArmaniJeanss

I'd be one of the people closing windows.
I sit upstairs (I think it's fair to give seats downstairs to the people who can't go up the stairs).
It's bloody cold up there if there's too many windows open - December, 7.40am, bus travelling at decent pace down a dual carriageway.
I've a woolly hat & a thick jacket but a window open near the front still makes it absolutely miserable, basically a sub-zero wind tunnel.
A few windows open down the back is much more reasonable imo.

GT89

Will they be going back to 17 passengers per bus now they are going to full level 5 restrictions?

Saw a bus in the city centre today and someone used ticket roll to tape off some of the seats why the hell are they doing this it looks absolutely dreadful it couldn't be official guidelines as every other bus did not have this either someone in maintenance or one of the drivers themselves is doing this on their own accord.

Shouldn't be allowed in my opinion I'm not blaming the driver of this bus btw as it couldn't have been done before he took the bus out of the depot or when he picked it up at a handover point.

L1011

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

I'd be one of the people closing windows.
I sit upstairs (I think it's fair to give seats downstairs to the people who can't go up the stairs).
It's bloody cold up there if there's too many windows open - December, 7.40am, bus travelling at decent pace down a dual carriageway.
I've a woolly hat & a thick jacket but a window open near the front still makes it absolutely miserable, basically a sub-zero wind tunnel.
A few windows open down the back is much more reasonable imo.

'a few windows down the back' does not make for actual ventilation.

Vic_08

GT89 wrote: »

Will they be going back to 17 passengers per bus now they are going to full level 5 restrictions?

Saw a bus in the city centre today and someone used ticket roll to tape off some of the seats why the hell are they doing this it looks absolutely dreadful it couldn't be official guidelines as every other bus did not have this either someone in maintenance or one of the drivers themselves is doing this on their own accord.

Shouldn't be allowed in my opinion I'm not blaming the driver of this bus btw as it couldn't have been done before he took the bus out of the depot or when he picked it up at a handover point.

If the seats are taped off they are taped off, frankly it is none of your business why, you are not entitled to an explanation or have your opinion listened to.

GT89

Vic_08 wrote: »

If the seats are taped off they are taped off, frankly it is none of your business why, you are not entitled to an explanation or have your opinion listened to.

If every seat on the bus is slashed then every seat on the bus is slashed. I take it if you support public transport staff vandalising public transport vehicles then you must also support ordinary members of the public vandalising public transport vehicles. There's no difference if you ask me it needs to be dealt with.

punisher5112

Bus packed earlier, I had 2 windows open downstairs, someone went closed them all, I didn't see oh and heating was working quite well downstairs.

punisher5112

GT89 wrote: »

If every seat on the bus is slashed then every seat on the bus is slashed. I take it if you support public transport staff vandalising public transport vehicles then you must also support ordinary members of the public vandalising public transport vehicles. There's no difference if you ask me it needs to be dealt with.

That's not vandalism, some are doing it as signs obviously means nothing as they sit anywhere.

I've done it as seat cushions were missing, they took it off and sat there.....

GT89

punisher5112 wrote: »

That's not vandalism, some are doing it as signs obviously means nothing as they sit anywhere.

I've done it as seat cushions were missing, they took it off and sat there.....

If it's not officially sanctioned then it's vandalism or litter. They are not meant to be taped off though if they were the company or the NTA would do it officially like with the seat signs which were put there officially. If people are ignoring the seat signage what has this got to with drivers or maintenace staff it's not their problem if aren't sitting in the correct seats.

If seat cushions are missing from the bus you were why didn't you defect the bus and refuse to drive it until the seats were repaired or another non defective bus was assigned? Is that not what's meant to be done?

punisher5112

GT89 wrote: »

If it's not officially sanctioned then it's vandalism or litter. They are not meant to be taped off though if they were the company or the NTA would do it officially like with the seat signs which were put there officially. If people are ignoring the seat signage what has this got to with drivers or maintenace staff it's not their problem if aren't sitting in the correct seats.

If seat cushions are missing from the bus you were why didn't you defect the bus and refuse to drive it until the seats were repaired or another non defective bus was assigned? Is that not what's meant to be done?

Will ya stop seriously.....

dashcamdanny

Its more work for maintenance. In fact is pisses them off to no end.

I mean really. Why would any give a sh1t what they get up to behind. Let them at it.

17 is the number, and dont approach the driver without a mask... stay behind the yellow.
Anything else does not effect our safety.

punisher5112

dashcamdanny wrote: »

Its more work for maintenance. In fact is pisses them off to no end.

I mean really. Why would any give a sh1t what they get up to behind. Let them at it.

17 is the number, and dont approach the driver without a mask... stay behind the yellow.
Anything else does not effect our safety.

Maintenance don't clean buses .....

But I wouldn't do it myself only have for missing seats or say sick upstairs and blood a few times, saved leaving passengers stranded and kept them away from affected area.

GT89

punisher5112 wrote: »

Maintenance don't clean buses .....

But I wouldn't do it myself only have for missing seats or say sick upstairs and blood a few times, saved leaving passengers stranded and kept them away from affected area.

Thought if there was blood or puke then the bus has to be pulled from service?

ITV2

GT89 wrote: »

Thought if there was blood or puke then the bus has to be pulled from service?

I do all the time and only did so on Wednesday, H&S is more important to me than upset passengers.

punisher5112

GT89 wrote: »

Thought if there was blood or puke then the bus has to be pulled from service?

If area can be closed off and I can get everyone home safe that's all that matters.

Luckily it's rare on the blood part but it does happen, vomit and pee etc is more common.

Needles would be another.

Obviously if it's a risk I wouldn't continue.

GT89

Irish Rail going back to reduced timetables again for the latest Level 5 restrictions
https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/covid-19-update

dirk_dangler

Dublin Bus going to a Saturday service from monday 18

dublinman1990

GAI's twitter were saying since Thursday that additional school services are not running until further advice is received. Please plan your trips accordingly.

I presume these are the routes that are running for schools in North Dublin.

dublinman1990

Bus Eireann are have said some of their regional departures will be cancelled on Sunday.

East region

https://www.buseireann.ie/service_updates.php?id=4500&month=Jan

South East

https://www.buseireann.ie/service_updates.php?id=4499&month=Jan

South/SW - Route 14

https://www.buseireann.ie/service_updates.php?id=4497&month=Jan


Revised Expressway T/T are also coming into effect for the X8, X12 & 20/X20 from later today.

https://www.buseireann.ie/service_updates.php?id=4469&month=Dec

r93kaey5p2izun

dirk_dangler wrote: »

Dublin Bus going to a Saturday service from monday 18

I presume this is inside info since I don't see anything on website or twitter? If so, thanks. Will need to rejig some journeys. But actually it's bizarrely an improved service on 25a except for early morning and rush hour. Happy days if true.

d51984

dublinman1990 wrote: »

GAI's twitter were saying since Thursday that additional school services are not running until further advice is received. Please plan your trips accordingly.

I presume these are the routes that are running for schools in North Dublin.

Yes all the S prefix routes.

GT89

d51984 wrote: »

Yes all the S prefix routes.

I've heard they weren't very many even when the schools were open

OscarMIlde

dirk_dangler wrote: »

Dublin Bus going to a Saturday service from monday 18

I hope that's not a blanket decision for all routes. There's not enough capacity for my route at 25% capacity with a Saturday service in rush hour. Especially not with the students back. My x home was had roughly 15-16 passengers when I got on today. I'll be stranded with these changes. Usage is nowhere near as low as it was last lockdown.

punisher5112

OscarMIlde wrote: »

I hope that's not a blanket decision for all routes. There's not enough capacity for my route at 25% capacity with a Saturday service in rush hour. Especially not with the students back. My x home was had roughly 15-16 passengers when I got on today. I'll be stranded with these changes. Usage is nowhere near as low as it was last lockdown.

The students aren't back though that's why it's going to Saturday service, there is nobody out and not many have a genuine reason to be out either.

Buses are bunching at terminus it's that quiet.

OscarMIlde

punisher5112 wrote: »

The students aren't back though that's why it's going to Saturday service, there is nobody out and not many have a genuine reason to be out either.

Buses are bunching at terminus it's that quiet.

Third level students are still going in for labs and practical teaching. I know, I've seen several on my bus and in the building I work in. Granted, it's not normal college levels, but those students weren't travelling in during the first lockdown. Academic research labs within universities are also open, and were shut during the first lockdown.

punisher5112

OscarMIlde wrote: »

Third level students are still going in for labs and practical teaching. I know, I've seen several on my bus and in the building I work in. Granted, it's not normal college levels, but those students weren't travelling in during the first lockdown. Academic research labs within universities are also open, and were shut during the first lockdown.

Must be a special route as everywhere else the numbers are way down.

Most buses I'm seeing are oy a few on. Hardly any that busy at all.

.anon.

punisher5112 wrote: »

Buses are bunching at terminus it's that quiet.

Buses are bunching at termini because drivers are ignoring the timetables and arriving up to 40 minutes early.

GT89

.anon. wrote: »

Buses are bunching at termini because drivers are ignoring the timetables and arriving up to 40 minutes early.

Equally you can blame management for not ensuring buses are keeping an even headway.

.anon.

GT89 wrote: »

Equally you can blame management for not ensuring buses are keeping an even headway.

There's a screen above the driver's head that tells them whether they're running early or late. It's their responsibility to adhere to the timetable.

OscarMIlde

punisher5112 wrote: »

Must be a special route as everywhere else the numbers are way down.

Most buses I'm seeing are oy a few on. Hardly any that busy at all.

Now, there is. But when you get rid of all the x buses at rush hour and hope that one bus every half hour will be sufficient when only 17 are allowed on board, there will be essential workers left stuck. Happened to me between Christmas and New years while a Saturday service only was being run.

GT89

.anon. wrote: »

There's a screen above the driver's head that tells them whether they're running early or late. It's their responsibility to adhere to the timetable.

GAI controllers are obivously doing something to ensure drivers keep to what the screen says and DB are not. If nothing generally if nothing is seen to be done to ensure employees comply with an instruction it will be ignored.

punisher5112

I actually can't wait till it comes in....

People will be sitting on a bus going nowhere....

Amount of people go nuts for the bus waiting to do last run, changing over drivers(not having the chats or standing around for the craic), so many don't realise how it works.

punisher5112

.anon. wrote: »

Buses are bunching at termini because drivers are ignoring the timetables and arriving up to 40 minutes early.

What are you on about..,

I am given a time to leave then I drive to the other end, there is no place or safe places to wait.

Kyleboy

.anon. wrote: »

Buses are bunching at termini because drivers are ignoring the timetables and arriving up to 40 minutes early.

Not true, driver only has a departure time, doesn't have a arrival time.

.anon.

punisher5112 wrote: »

What are you on about..,

I am given a time to leave then I drive to the other end, there is no place or safe places to wait.

Kyleboy wrote: »

Not true, driver only has a departure time, doesn't have a arrival time.

Are you honestly saying there's no possible way for a driver to know whether they're running ahead of time or not? These obtuse attitudes from semi-state employees will ultimately lead to further privatisation of the network.

GT89

punisher5112 wrote: »

I actually can't wait till it comes in....

People will be sitting on a bus going nowhere....

Amount of people go nuts for the bus waiting to do last run, changing over drivers(not having the chats or standing around for the craic), so many don't realise how it works.

Maybe an annoucement like this would be helpful
https://youtu.be/Dt77pRD3Wsw

GT89

.anon. wrote: »

Are you honestly saying there's no possible way for a driver to know whether they're running ahead of time or not? These obtuse attitudes from semi-state employees will ultimately lead to further privatisation of the network.

The drivers haven't been instructed or told to do so as part of the training. The blame for bus bunching and uneven headway lies with the company and the NTA for not ensuring this is kept to by controllers and drivers as company policy.

.anon.

GT89 wrote: »

The drivers haven't been instructed or told to do so as part of the training. The blame for bus bunching and uneven headway lies with the company and the NTA for not ensuring this is kept to by controllers and drivers as company policy.

It's not rocket science - it hardly requires training. The company's efforts to control early running is being met with resistance from drivers. Meanwhile, a private company is currently managing to do it reasonably well, and is making itself look very good in the eyes of the NTA.

Tickityboo

.anon. wrote: »

It's not rocket science - it hardly requires training. The company's efforts to control early running is being met with resistance from drivers. Meanwhile, a private company is currently managing to do it reasonably well, and is making itself look very good in the eyes of the NTA.

I don't think having buses driving around at 20 to 30 kph causing obstruction to traffic behind or buses sitting at bus stops for minutes at a time blocking traffic and making other buses and traffic to make dangerous manoeuvres to get around them is being managed reasonably well!!

What is needed are official safe timing points to pull in and wait if you are ahead of schedule not the other dangerous nonsense that is going on.

punisher5112

I have 2 hours to get from one to the other....

Earlier on the journey I carried no more then 13, traffic was near zero, red traffic lights were basically the only pinch points as they've messed with these so very few gets through on the green.

This is all set up for normal times, we are coming on near a year now in exceptional circumstances and yet no real change.

I actually am not looking forward to the return of how it was because the road space is just not there, with all this covid bull and nonsense where road space is taken, bus lanes now in many cases where a bus just doesn't fit, poles in them to segregate cyclists but not many use this or they have a false sense of safety and they then in many cases pit themselves at risk by passing up the inside, yes not an issue normally but vehicles turning and indicated but cyclists continues on through, buses pulling in, no can't have that, much much more...

They want more 24 hour buses but yet sweet f all are actually working, more buses, more drivers needed, maintenance, cleaners etc....

What's all this costing and 90-95% reduction in numbers....


Ryanair for example when passenger numbers fall they pull services or cut down on amount of planes in the air..... NTA more buses..... Mind boggles

GT89

.anon. wrote: »

It's not rocket science - it hardly requires training. The company's efforts to control early running is being met with resistance from drivers. Meanwhile, a private company is currently managing to do it reasonably well, and is making itself look very good in the eyes of the NTA.

Explain to me how changing the operator of the service will change that as it will still be the same drivers and the same unions regardless of who's operating the service. Personally I think DB and the NTA for that matter should listen to the unions and come to an agreement which allows for the implemention of timing points on routes just like they whenever they bring in a new bill for a route.