Dublin Bus looking for Drivers

AlekSmart · 21-12-2014 3:15am

rx8 wrote: »

While personally I don't use a radio, there a quite a few drivers who do.
The company maintain that it's a distraction, and anything that distracts the driver can lead to an accident.
They are particularly aggressive now on someone talking to the driver, be it a passenger, or a co-worker, after a recent court case in which someone was awarded over 6million euro.That driver was chatting with a colleague when a kid was pushed out onto the road in front of him and things didn't end well.

It's only fair to note that the Busdriver in this case was NOT "chatting with a colleague",and the child was NOT pushed out on to the road.

The award was NOT €6 million but €9 million with the company held 70% liable.

http://www.courts.ie/Judgments.nsf/bce24a8184816f1580256ef30048ca50/f25f389292473c9a80257ca50058f6fd?OpenDocument

AlekSmart · 21-12-2014 3:17am

VG31 wrote: »

I see bus drivers listening to the radio all the time. I occasionally see earphones as well.

Could they be watching Céili House on Radio Eireann....?

Aard · 21-12-2014 3:24am

A friend of mine is a driver for another bus company. He dislikes the current job and I've been encouraging him to go for the DB position. He used work for DB several years ago, but he maintains that due to being very overweight he won't pass the medical. Is there any truth in this?

AlekSmart · 21-12-2014 3:36am

Aard wrote: »

A friend of mine is a driver for another bus company. He dislikes the current job and I've been encouraging him to go for the DB position. He used work for DB several years ago, but he maintains that due to being very overweight he won't pass the medical. Is there any truth in this?

There is an element of truth in this.

However,that should not prevent him applying,as the actual Medical itself will dictate the Company's attitude.

There are quite a few new drivers who were given a weight-loss target in order to secure a job-offer,and who succeeded in that.

It's not only BAC who are adopting this approach,as the modern practice on Occupational Health is focusing on such things amongst professional drivers as a group.

rx8 · 21-12-2014 1:41pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

It's only fair to note that the Busdriver in this case was NOT "chatting with a colleague",and the child was NOT pushed out on to the road.

The award was NOT €6 million but €9 million with the company held 70% liable.

http://www.courts.ie/Judgments.nsf/bce24a8184816f1580256ef30048ca50/f25f389292473c9a80257ca50058f6fd?OpenDocument

I stand corrected... clearly I shouldn't be listening to all that canteen talk!

But 3 posts in 21 minutes Bill, what had you up so late ?

flash123123 · 02-01-2015 1:33pm

skorpionick wrote: »

DB call me yesterday . Starting in january...
Happy days.

Hi I was told I'm starting in January too did you get a date??

skorpionick · 02-01-2015 2:28pm

flash123123 wrote: »

Hi I was told I'm starting in January too did you get a date??

Yes. I got call with starting date and contract by post 2 days later. Starting this monday 2 weeks training.

VG31 · 02-01-2015 4:18pm

A bit OT I suppose, but since this is the discussion thread for new DB bus drivers I'll ask here.

Are new DB bus drivers told to use the centre doors or are you discouraged? Thanks.

macroman · 02-01-2015 11:32pm

VG31 wrote: »

A bit OT I suppose, but since this is the discussion thread for new DB bus drivers I'll ask here.

Are new DB bus drivers told to use the centre doors or are you discouraged? Thanks.

Instructed to use them when necessary, but only when parallel with the kerb and kerb space is available and unobstructed.

VG31 · 02-01-2015 11:37pm

Is there still any union related reasons why a fair amount of drivers won't use the centre doors or is it just habit of not using them in the past?
There have been a few new drivers on my route recently but none of them used the centre doors.

devnull · 03-01-2015 12:24am

macroman wrote: »

Instructed to use them when necessary, but only when parallel with the kerb and kerb space is available and unobstructed.

See, that is where I disagree with it, It should be:
"Instructed to use them when parallel with the kerb and kerb space is available and unobstructed."

The fact that a phrase like "Use them when necessary" is used says it all. It's like, only use them if you absolutely have to. All it does is give rise to the view that customers are seen as an inconvenience.

The previous labour court ruling about centre doors and the fact drivers should not be forced to use them is always used to justify this, whereas the ruling itself was made with view to stop drivers being forced to open doors when it was unsafe. But it's also now being used as an excuse for not using them at all.

Obviously because the court ruled that the drivers could not be forced to use the doors, it becomes impossible for the company to force drivers to use the doors at any time, regardless if their is safety issues or not.

Heaven help someone think of the customers and the bigger picture.

punisher5112 · 03-01-2015 12:33am

devnull wrote: »

See, that is where I disagree with it, It should be:
"Instructed to use them when parallel with the kerb and kerb space is available and unobstructed."

The fact that a phrase like "Use them when necessary" is used says it all. It's like, only use them if you absolutely have to. All it does is give rise to the view that customers are seen as an inconvenience.

The previous labour court ruling about centre doors and the fact drivers should not be forced to use them is always used to justify this, whereas the ruling itself was made with view to stop drivers being forced to open doors when it was unsafe. But it's also now being used as an excuse for not using them at all.

Why would you need them open when 1 or a few are only getting off and are standing waiting to get off at front door.

It takes longer for rear doors to open and close.

I will give you a good 1 where 3 were getting off on Kildare st when there were barriers up so only place to open front doors I got ate out of it from a thick going on about how they were wanting to get out of centre doors and demanded them to be open.

I pointed out that she would have to climb over the high fence but she went nuts and eventually got out the front still giving out.

Wow I have learnt a lot over the years you could have 10 doors and someone would still be having a go.

AlekSmart · 03-01-2015 2:11am

punisher5112 wrote: »

Wow,I have learnt a lot over the years you could have 10 doors and someone would still be having a go.

What I have learned over the past 3 years,has considerably dampened my initial enthusiasm for multi-door operation.

I now believe that the essence of our significant and worseneing Dwell-Time problem in Dublin,has far more to do with Fare Collection/Validation than Doors.

I spend far too much of my operational time attempting to persuade people to Exit via the Centre Doors,involving both repeated playing of the canned announcement and P/A exhortations to the same effect.

However,it usually comes down to having to keep the front door closed and suffer the abuse,and at times having people double-back and make a wild rush to force their way through those boarding at the belatedly opened front-door.

The actual process of centre-door operation is no longer the simple button-push of the Leyland/Van-Hool/Bombardier years.

Back then it was the actual door operating mechansims which were tempermental,but today,the process is significantly impeded by raft of (supposedly) safety related electro-pneumatic interlocks and warnings,all of which regularly impede smooth and efficient operation.

Continually having to prevail upon people to keep the Centre Exit clear or remove their baggage from it also tends to cause significant exchanges of pleasantries,particularly when vacant seats can be seen all over the upper saloon on the Stairwell Monitor.....:rolleyes:

Also of note is the considerable extra observation requirement now involved with Centre Door operation via Multi-Camera CCTV and Spot Mirror,in the black n white days,the advice was "mind yerself now",whereas today,the question is "Who's going to mind me?".

The Safety Related issues,which many posters here (mistakenly)see as Union Inspired,have in fact substantially increased in number and nature,with the actual Bus-Stop layout,now being somewhat less central than heretofore,whereas passenger behaviour and action subsequent to alighting the bus a newly relevant cause for concern.

As of now,I would be prevailing upon the NTA,to reconsider it's thinking on the issue,with a view towards trialing some Long-Wheelbase,High Seating Capacity Double Decks (A Lá Transport for Edinburgh).

This would entail the introduction of Single Card Validation,or Flat Fare,or No-Cash Transaction methods of payment,along with a second or third remote validator positioned downstream of the driver.

Attention to design detail,such as specifying the widest possible door opening,fastest allowable door operating speed and widest throat/aisle width would,I now believe,have far more benefit than persisting with the attempts to change commuters human-nature.

If the NTA wish to persist with the current programme,then I would suggest a VERY high flat-fare,with significant journey related rebate,obtained as you Tag-Out AT THE CENTRE DOOR ONLY....apart from customer blood-pressure issues,that could just about make multi-door operation actually WORK.

VG31 · 03-01-2015 2:24am

Thanks for that very detailed and well explained answer AlekSmart.

I can understand why passengers go to the front door by default on your bus as lots of drivers never use them. As an example a few weeks ago I was on a GT that was completely full but the driver did not use the centre doors at any stop much to the annoyance of many passengers who shouted at him many times to open the centre doors.
People will not wait by the centre doors unless they know they will open.

That tag-off only at the centre doors is a good idea as it would force drivers to use them as passengers would not want to be charged the max fare.

AlekSmart · 03-01-2015 2:47am

VG31 wrote: »

Thanks for that very detailed and well explained answer AlekSmart.

I can understand why passengers go to the front door by default on your bus as lots of drivers never use them. As an example a few weeks ago I was on a GT that was completely full but the driver did not use the centre doors at any stop much to the annoyance of many passengers who shouted at him many times to open the centre doors.

People will not wait by the centre doors unless they know they will open.

That tag-off only at the centre doors is a good idea as it would force drivers to use them as passengers would not want to be charged the max fare.

I'm not asking people to wait beside the Centre Door in any vain hope of seeing them open.

I'm describing a situation where I repeatedly announce that the Centre Doors are in Operation,play the canned announcement also,and yet watch in befuddlement as folks stare at me and mutter sweet nothings when I won't open the front door to let them OUT....

I have no problem accepting the frustration you describe,however what is truly baffling to me,is the LARGE numbers of people who will simply look out through the OPEN Centre Door,walk directly past it to stand glaring through the CLOSED front door before turning their stony gaze upon ME.

It is bizzarre,abberational behaviour and amazingly prevalent across all ages,genders and races.....

The only other solution I can come up with is a uni-directional barrier,just inside the front-door to allow passengers inwards only.
However I also know that this is significantly counter to NTA thinking on customer flow...:(

I'm not certain of what your point on the Handbrake Siren is ?

The Centre Door cannot be operated until the Handbrake is ON,as the door button is not electronically enabled until then.
There is a seperate Centre Door Operation siren which operates in conjunction with each door operation.

VG31 · 03-01-2015 2:54am

I have seen the barrier you described on buses in Germany before. The only problem with that is the ramp with have to be located at the centre doors instead and the wheelchair bay would have to be relocated opposite it like in London.

I understand how you feel about people ignoring the centre doors. I have seen people standing beside the (opening) centre doors for the whole journey but when it is their stop they go to the front to exit. I also heard two old women saying how the centre doors were great after they saw people using them but when they exited the used the front doors!

I have not seen many drivers make people use the centre doors like you unfortunately but one did a while ago. He went on the PA and said to use the centre doors and when he stopped he opened the centre doors and waited a few seconds before opening the front doors. That's one of the only times I've seen every single person use the centre doors.

Edit: I don't mean the centre door closing noise, I don't mind that. I mean the constant beeping/alarm noise when the bus is stopped with the front door open and the handbrake off. There are one or two drivers on my route that do this all the time, I can't understand how it doesn't drive them mad! This point has nothing to do with the centre doors, as you stated the centre doors cannot be opened with the handbrake off.

flash123123 · 03-01-2015 1:28pm

skorpionick wrote: »

Yes. I got call with starting date and contract by post 2 days later. Starting this monday 2 weeks training.

Cheers for that. I won't be starting on Monday so hopefully I'll be starting with the next group for the training..

poggyone · 03-01-2015 10:24pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

what is truly baffling to me,is the LARGE numbers of people who will simply look out through the OPEN Centre Door,walk directly past it to stand glaring through the CLOSED front door before turning their stony gaze upon ME.

You are creating problems for yourself, just open both doors, why do you care which door they exit from?

AlekSmart · 04-01-2015 1:57am

poggyone wrote: »

You are creating problems for yourself, just open both doors, why do you care which door they exit from?

It helps stimulate fresh thinking,and is also good problem solving practice.....;)

AlekSmart · 04-01-2015 2:09am

VG31 wrote: »

I have seen the barrier you described on buses in Germany before. The only problem with that is the ramp with have to be located at the centre doors instead and the wheelchair bay would have to be relocated opposite it like in London.

I understand how you feel about people ignoring the centre doors. I have seen people standing beside the (opening) centre doors for the whole journey but when it is their stop they go to the front to exit. I also heard two old women saying how the centre doors were great after they saw people using them but when they exited the used the front doors!

I have not seen many drivers make people use the centre doors like you unfortunately but one did a while ago. He went on the PA and said to use the centre doors and when he stopped he opened the centre doors and waited a few seconds before opening the front doors. That's one of the only times I've seen every single person use the centre doors.

Edit: I don't mean the centre door closing noise, I don't mind that. I mean the constant beeping/alarm noise when the bus is stopped with the front door open and the handbrake off. There are one or two drivers on my route that do this all the time, I can't understand how it doesn't drive them mad! This point has nothing to do with the centre doors, as you stated the centre doors cannot be opened with the handbrake off.

The Wrightbus mod I refer to also encompasses front-door operation.
As opening either door also applies the automatic door-brake,this alarm is indeed superfluous.

In normal operation,the Bus cannot be driven with either door open.

As the mod is rolled out,the incidences of the infernal racket should diminish.

Fazzio · 04-01-2015 1:13pm

Hi all, I have one question,

I recived 2 penalty points 2 years ago for something totally stuppid (garda just being an ass really) my car died at the lights and i restarted it and being bit rushed by ones stuck behind me I did let's say a quick take off.

Its called driving without reasonable consideration...

Is that silly thing something that could stop me from getting in to dublin bus ?

I drive Buses and coaches professionally for 7 years now. do private 20k miles a year around Dublin it's tough to no have something over the years.

The application tells us no points/endorsments ?

Bena100 · 15-01-2015 10:32pm

Hi,
Just wondering did anyone hear back from Dublin bus? I sent an application on December 1st, thought I might have heard something by now. How long were ye waiting to hear back? Thanks

flash123123 · 16-01-2015 5:10pm

Bena100 wrote: »

Hi,
Just wondering did anyone hear back from Dublin bus? I sent an application on December 1st, thought I might have heard something by now. How long were ye waiting to hear back? Thanks

Hi,
I applied last July and I think it was at least 10 weeks before I was called for the written exam. So sit tight and you'll hear eventually..

Bena100 · 20-01-2015 10:10pm

Thanks for that, will have to wait and see

DeeonBoard · 27-01-2015 10:17am

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

All done by post which makes it a bit slow

Passed the driving test today and did the interview

Have to wait probably another 2 weeks before i hear again

HI Im new here and have a interview coming up in a bit . just wondering is it based on the leaflet that came with the leater ?. I seen you asked the same question but did not get a answer
Thanks
Dee

punisher5112 · 27-01-2015 12:52pm

DeeonBoard wrote: »

HI Im new here and have a interview coming up in a bit . just wondering is it based on the leaflet that came with the leater ?. I seen you asked the same question but did not get a answer
Thanks
Dee

They want to see you have good English and people skills.

You will be asked how to deal with certain situations.

Just read up company bye laws.

Been so long since I done mine but just stay calm and answer as best you can.

They want to see are you going to be a nut with a hot head and im sure your not ;-). Good luck you be fine.

DeeonBoard · 27-01-2015 1:18pm

Grand thanks Punisher. Fingers crossed all goes well

Andrew33 · 03-02-2015 4:48pm

Apparently the medical is quite thorough with blood/urine sample taken etc. what are they looking for in the sample? Is it just illegal substances or is it more than that?

threegreen · 03-02-2015 5:09pm

Anyone on the assessment on Saturday? ?

punisher5112 · 03-02-2015 6:57pm

Andrew33 wrote: »

Apparently the medical is quite thorough with blood/urine sample taken etc. what are they looking for in the sample? Is it just illegal substances or is it more than that?

Yes looking for drug use and also ecg to check heart.

It is thorough but a good thing because it can show up any problems one may have.

It will also show up the likes of Nurofen as it has codene in it so they would rather these types are not used.

Anthonymadden · 04-02-2015 1:32am

threegreen wrote: »

Anyone on the assessment on Saturday? ?

I also have aptitude test on saturday, hopfully all goes well, fingers Crossed

threegreen · 04-02-2015 4:21am

Anthonymadden wrote: »

I also have aptitude test on saturday, hopfully all goes well, fingers Crossed

Good luck with it dude, plenty of coffee before hand and your best thinking cap. See you there.

cerastes · 04-02-2015 4:34am

Do Dublin bus train drivers up or do they nonly accept applications from those with the required licences?

punisher5112 · 04-02-2015 9:03am

cerastes wrote: »

Do Dublin bus train drivers up or do they nonly accept applications from those with the required licences?

You will be trained to their standards and if don't meet those standards you are gone.

A full licence and up to date CPC is needed.

cerastes · 04-02-2015 3:00pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

You will be trained to their standards and if don't meet those standards you are gone.

A full licence and up to date CPC is needed.

I have a full B licence, but not a bus licence D.
Do you mean a full D licence is required? Ive had relatives who have worked there in the past, when they went in and did their training, they didnt go in with a bus licence.

MrMorooka · 04-02-2015 3:39pm

Yeah, you need the D license. It's not the same as previous intakes.

Tthis information is clearly on their recruitment page as the very first line. dublinbus.ie/en/Human-Resources/Professional-Bus-Drivers/

cerastes · 04-02-2015 4:28pm

MrMorooka wrote: »

Yeah, you need the D license. It's not the same as previous intakes.

Tthis information is clearly on their recruitment page as the very first line. dublinbus.ie/en/Human-Resources/Professional-Bus-Drivers/

I could see that there, I just wanted to confirm that wasnt the official line and that if there was some possibility they still did the other way.Kinda rules it out for me so, dont think the cost of lessons would be on the cards really.

MaciG · 05-02-2015 11:24am

Does anyone know what this is mean exactly?

we will offer you ... free bus travel and concessionary rail travel.

threegreen · 05-02-2015 11:44am

MaciG wrote: »

Does anyone know what this is mean exactly?

we will offer you ... free bus travel and concessionary rail travel.

It's kinda self explanatory, if you get in you get free bus travel and a discount on rail travel.

threegreen · 05-02-2015 11:47am

cerastes wrote: »

I could see that there, I just wanted to confirm that wasnt the official line and that if there was some possibility they still did the other way.Kinda rules it out for me so, dont think the cost of lessons would be on the cards really.

If your unemployed your local fas will pay for a chunk of your lessons, it's worth looking into.

MaciG · 05-02-2015 3:42pm

threegreen wrote: »

It's kinda self explanatory, if you get in you get free bus travel and a discount on rail travel.

Thank you, but now I realized I asked the wrong way. Does " free bus travel" means only buses operated by DublinBus? or Bus Éireann buses too? (Sorry the stupid question, but in my country free travel card which the drivers get means they can use all company's buses for travel within the country borders)

Anthonymadden · 05-02-2015 4:03pm

can anyone give me some sort of information on the written assessment, i have mine on saturday and i am a little nervous about it, thank you in advance

Careful_now! · 05-02-2015 5:02pm

MaciG wrote: »

Thank you, but now I realized I asked the wrong way. Does " free bus travel" means only buses operated by DublinBus? or Bus Éireann buses too? (Sorry the stupid question, but in my country free travel card which the drivers get means they can use all company's buses for travel within the country borders)

If you live outside Dublin in an area that bus eireann serves you are entitled to a pass for bus eireann, but it's only valid between your home town and Dublin.

Tusky · 05-02-2015 7:54pm

What is the job interview part like? What questions do they normally ask? I'm asking for a friend. He did the written assessment a few weeks ago and hast the interview/driving test tomorrow. Thanks.

rx8 · 05-02-2015 10:33pm

Anyone doing the driving assessment, already has a bus licence. So therefore you are expected to be able to drive a bus safely and competently in the test. The interview is mostly Customer and Safety focused. Just keep thinking Safety, Safety, Safety and you won't go far wrong.

Markosmyth · 06-02-2015 10:54am

Hi, has anyone here done the medical? What exactly does it involve in particular the eye exam, what do they test.
Txs.

Beer Assistant · 06-02-2015 12:31pm

Your eye sight at a guess

Markosmyth · 06-02-2015 12:46pm

Good 1. not looking 4 a guess, if someone has done the medical could they go through wot it involves txs.

punisher5112 · 06-02-2015 10:13pm

Markosmyth wrote: »

Good 1. not looking 4 a guess, if someone has done the medical could they go through wot it involves txs.

Eye test is checking to see what you can see in both eyes from reading chart with 1 eye at a time.
Medical is blood pressure, urine, bloods, ecg test.

Markosmyth · 06-02-2015 10:16pm

txs punisher, do they do a colour blindness test?

Dublin Bus looking for Drivers

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