New bus routes in Galway

Sure everyone would just say short fare so. And stay on longer. Unworkable really unless it's a tag on tag off system.

Did I suggest there was something wrong with said system? You didn't mention such a system in your post, I simply pointed out that being the only way of your suggestion working!

Why Leap Cards faster on Dublin Bus?

Tapping on/off shouldn't be happening on the bus, it should be at the stops. The stops should be quick; all doors open and people flood out and in.

Requires ticket inspections every so often with considerable fees for anyone abusing it.

I dunno - Dubs are slow with cash? (Yeah, right).

Most likely due to different machines in Dublin vs the rest of the country. But it was very obvious when more people were paying with cash: Leap transactions are SLOW.

Agree LEAP here is SLOW but why don't all these BRAND New NTA buses have an additional validator like a DB Bus that allows cash and LEAP boarding to be done simultaneous? The pay by CASH method in Dublin bus is even different and faster.

That sounds tempting but, in some parts of Europe where they've tried this, the biggest shift free public transit has resulted in has been from walking and cycling rather than from cars.

I've seen this here too: when bus fares here were reduced, there were a lot more taking short journeys. Having to stop at every single stop for 1 person can slow s bus down a lot.

Any obvious route improvements misses? Dangan area for me is still underserviced. Not sure what the best solution for it is though. Circular Road is not suitable as of yet to run bus services.

Should there be any other Service similar to the 404 going to Oranmore that should be incorporated into the City Network? Bearna perhaps?

We should be aspiring to a BRT system like The Glider in Belfast. It's a tram-like experience without the heavy infrastructure.

More indepth review of the system after a few years;

There used to be a bus from town out to Newcastle, Dangan up Circular Road and back to town, so handy but shortlived due to lack of customers.

A lot more residents on Circular Road now with construction of estates, well worth a reintroduction for a six-month trial.

The Glider has only two routes, in a city with a population of 345k in 2021 (according to this: https://explore.nisra.gov.uk/area-explorer-2021//N09000003/).

Remind me what the population of Galway is, and which routes would have enough volumes - right throughout the day - to justify tram style boarding (with its known revenue protection risks) and a frequent volume?

This is an interesting read. I think the point on “de-bussing the bus” is important, a lot of people will simply not get one of the current BE buses but will happily use a tram-like system.

I was trying to post a thing a few days ago saying it would be good if the ticket display units on the buses would be fixed since it helps to have the feedback that fare has been charged. It was my response to the comments on adding a 2nd electronic ticket checking device. I'm just aware that there are at least a couple of buses around town that have blank display screens on the units months or even years after they stopped working. THo9ught they might be something that would be useful to have working. I thnik that feedback point of knowing that ticket has been registered as read would be helpful and i think that is something that has been noted in other transactions elsewhere.

Also is there a reason that bells for stopping the bus at the next stop seem to go non responsive regularly. I've noticed it myself and seen other people trying to find out why when they press the bell as the bus leaves a bus stop it does nothing, makes no sound, lights no light etc seems to be counterintuitive and counterproductive.

Reminder to give your views on the new routes at busconnects.ie/galway

Cork are having their Round 2 consultations, and you can read the public submissions. Many of the same moaning about the reduction of space for cars, "devaluation of property", empty bike lanes,.. but also some detailed thought-out responses https://consult.nationaltransport.ie/en/node/7047/submissions?page=1

This would mean 3 buses (2 changes) to complete some journeys

20 minute frequency on the 401 started in Sept 2018: https://news.galwaytransport.info/2018/09/galway-city-bus-service-changes.html

You do realise there's an app for buses?

You haven't factored in unloading + loading time. Which is a very significant factor: Buses got quicker overall when wetside to GMIT and Salthill to parkmore thru routes were introduced, because it reduced the number of changes needed.

There is also a hassle factor perception of having to get off and on again. Even if the wait is short, it would feel really annoying if Eyre Square to Parkmore (for example) involved 2 buses.

And the cost of enough buses to keep waiting time short at off peak times would be high.

Two 401s on route at same time at the moment. A bus can carry max 76 passengers. I'd say they need 3 buses at peak times in this weather

No.

It means two have gotten bunched up, and the controller hasn't untangled them yet

Read in last Thursdays Advertiser - that Cairn homes have submitted a NEW housing application to the Local Authority. In the article it states they are NOT going to put in a regular road linking from Letteragh to Bothar Dhiarmuida, but will be a walking and cycling route here - so perhaps a chance they will put in a BUS Gate here also I reckon for this new proposed bus route or Council could stipulate this to tie in with the BusConnects proposals. Cannot find the online link to the article.

Here is the planning application

Planning application details ref: 23129 Galway City Council

https://geo.galwaycity.ie/ePlan5/AppFileRefDetails/23129/0

"

3. Provision of shared communal and private open space, an Active Travel pedestrian and cycle path, car and bicycle parking, site landscaping and public lighting, site services, vehicular and pedestrian access with Letteragh Road and pedestrian and cycle access with Bóthar Dhiarmuida and all associated site development works.

"