Bus Eireann routes 109/109A Changes

Furp · 02-04-2014 9:36am

haro124 wrote: »

Lol it happened again. Way too many people waiting for the 08.45. Of course people just jumped in the queue but this time there was an inspector waiting. The sheer look of disgust on peoples faces when he told them to get out of the queue because there were people waiting far longer!

For the second week running the 6.20 from Navan broke down and couldn't be restarted, I was on it last week when it broke down just at the start of the slip road at M50 N3 roundabout and all the passengers had to take the next bus with a substantial amount standing which is not safe but it was a case of stand on the motorway or bus.

This morning I missed the 6.20 but got the 6.35 and we pulled in behind the 6.20 which had broken down on the overpass at Skryne, we took all the passengers on board, could only take about half the waiting people at Dunshaughlin. This would have a knock-on affect for all the later services.

It’s becoming regular with this particular bus too, I have been on it at least two other times when it cut out both stopped and while driving on the motorway, probably needs a complete engine overhaul.

It does make we wonder if Bus Eireann have become complacent again with their maintenance and repairs and have not learnt the lesson from the Kentsown crash, I regularly take a look at the dashboards when boarding and its very common to see warning lights on for various issues.

Commuter109 · 02-04-2014 10:00am

Furp wrote: »

For the second week running the 6.20 from Navan broke down and couldn't be restarted, I was on it last week when it broke down just at the start of the slip road at M50 N3 roundabout and all the passengers had to take the next bus with a substantial amount standing which is not safe but it was a case of stand on the motorway or bus.

This morning I missed the 6.20 but got the 6.35 and we pulled in behind the 6.20 which had broken down on the overpass at Skryne, we took all the passengers on board, could only take about half the waiting people at Dunshaughlin. This would have a knock-on affect for all the later services.

It’s becoming regular with this particular bus too, I have been on it at least two other times when it cut out both stopped and while driving on the motorway, probably needs a complete engine overhaul.

It does make we wonder if Bus Eireann have become complacent again with their maintenance and repairs and have not learnt the lesson from the Kentsown crash, I regularly take a look at the dashboards when boarding and its very common to see warning lights on for various issues.

Trim Bus was broken down on Ludlow Street yesterday morning, and the 6.30 last Friday barely made it home with several warning lights on the dashboard. It was actually dangerous, I didn't think we were going to get through the port tunnel. We crawled down the motorway at 80kph for most of the journey. Driver was on the mobile saying that in essence that the bus was crocked, but on the premise that he drove to Navan, obviously the instructions were to keep on going

gazzer · 02-04-2014 1:12pm

I got the 8pm bus from Cavan to Dublin on Sunday night. Bus broke down at Blanch (was letting 3 people off and the luggage door would not open). 20 minutes later a Dublin Bus pulled up and we got on that. Anybody who was waiting for their bag had to stay on the bus though. Not sure when it got moving again.

horseburger · 02-04-2014 1:42pm

gazzer wrote: »

I got the 8pm bus from Cavan to Dublin on Sunday night. Bus broke down at Blanch (was letting 3 people off and the luggage door would not open). 20 minutes later a Dublin Bus pulled up and we got on that. Anybody who was waiting for their bag had to stay on the bus though. Not sure when it got moving again.

Was the Dublin Bus, a number 39, or 39A?

gazzer · 02-04-2014 3:58pm

horseburger wrote: »

Was the Dublin Bus, a number 39, or 39A?

No it was just a bus that pulled up. The driver on the 109 must have rang in for it. There was no number on it. It was to bring passengers into town. Well those passengers that did not have bags in the baggage area anyway.

foggy_lad · 02-04-2014 4:08pm

haro124 wrote: »

Lol it happened again. Way too many people waiting for the 08.45. Of course people just jumped in the queue but this time there was an inspector waiting. The sheer look of disgust on peoples faces when he told them to get out of the queue because there were people waiting far longer!

This kind of thing can also happen because there is a free for all in the depots in the mornings with early drivers getting to choose whichever bus they want. If drivers in Cavan take single deck buses instead of the more usual double deck coaches then the capacity will drop significantly during the mornings busiest time. The same thing happens sometimes with the 120. Drivers need to be allocated buses in the morning rather than be able to chose their favourite over one they feel is harder to drive.

foggy_lad · 02-04-2014 4:16pm

Furp wrote: »

For the second week running the 6.20 from Navan broke down and couldn't be restarted, I was on it last week when it broke down just at the start of the slip road at M50 N3 roundabout and all the passengers had to take the next bus with a substantial amount standing which is not safe but it was a case of stand on the motorway or bus.

This morning I missed the 6.20 but got the 6.35 and we pulled in behind the 6.20 which had broken down on the overpass at Skryne, we took all the passengers on board, could only take about half the waiting people at Dunshaughlin. This would have a knock-on affect for all the later services.

Never mind not being safe, it is illegal to have standees on these coaches. Bus eireann are breaking the law and if a bus breaks down on the motorway the emergency services should be contacted and if bus eireann don't or won't provide a replacement bus to transfer people onto then the Guards will get one and charge it to bus eireann! There can be no ambiguity or quessung is it or we can squeeze a few more on, carrying more than the rated number of passengers is an offence!

I would suggest that if anyone finds themselves on a broke down bus eireann bus again they call the guards rather than rely on the bus driver who will only contact managers and inspectors who may instruct him to break the law and let them manage the rescue of passengers off the motorway or dual carriageway.

haro124 · 03-04-2014 5:59pm

Came extra early for the half five bus to Cavan. Bus broke down somewhere between Wilton terrace and busaras. Ended up just getting on the 17.45

gazzer · 04-04-2014 10:21am

haro124 wrote: »

Came extra early for the half five bus to Cavan. Bus broke down somewhere between Wilton terrace and busaras. Ended up just getting on the 17.45

Could you have gotten the 30 to Cavan. There is one at that time. Or was it full up?

horseburger · 04-04-2014 11:16am

gazzer wrote: »

Could you have gotten the 30 to Cavan. There is one at that time. Or was it full up?

I think haro124 may have been going to Navan or Kells - the last stop on the 17.45 109 is Kells.

Two services on the number 30 Donegal Bus route, go through Navan and Kells every night.

(The first stop, coming from Bus Aras, after the airport, on all its other services, is Virginia).

One leaves at midnight from Bus Aras, which gets into Navan around 1am-1.05am and Kells 1.15am-1.20am.

It is usually 12.58am when it passes by the Kilcarne Bridge stop, a few minutes after it takes exit 8 off the motorway.

The other service, that covers Navan and Kells, is the one that leaves Donegal Town at 1am for Dublin.

gazzer · 04-04-2014 12:27pm

horseburger wrote: »

I think haro124 may have been going to Navan or Kells - the last stop on the 17.45 109 is Kells.

Two services on the number 30 Donegal Bus route, go through Navan and Kells every night; at midnight from Bus Aras, which gets into Navan around 1am-1.05am and Kells 1.15am-1.20am.

It is usually 12.58am when it passes by the Kilcarne Bridge stop, a few minutes after it takes exit 8 off the motorway.

The 1am from Donegal Town also covers Navan and Kells.

Ah I see. I just assumed Cavan when he mentioned that he was going to get the Cavan bus. Never thought about the Kells stop

haro124 · 04-04-2014 1:54pm

gazzer wrote: »

Ah I see. I just assumed Cavan when he mentioned that he was going to get the Cavan bus. Never thought about the Kells stop

Ah yes kells. The 30 was gone before they made the announcemnt I think

Geog1234 · 05-04-2014 4:10pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

This kind of thing can also happen because there is a free for all in the depots in the mornings with early drivers getting to choose whichever bus they want. If drivers in Cavan take single deck buses instead of the more usual double deck coaches then the capacity will drop significantly during the mornings busiest time. The same thing happens sometimes with the 120. Drivers need to be allocated buses in the morning rather than be able to chose their favourite over one they feel is harder to drive.

There are just two double deckers based at Cavan garage. These are designated to commence their daily work on the 06.00 and 07.00 departures. There is not a free for all and these are the buses which are used unless a mechanical defect/breakdown prevents them from being used. Once these two double deckers have left there are only single decker coaches remaining and that is a matter outside of the control of driving personnel.

haro124 · 05-04-2014 4:53pm

Geog1234 wrote: »

There are just two double deckers based at Cavan garage. These are designated to commence their daily work on the 06.00 and 07.00 departures. There is not a free for all and these are the buses which are used unless a mechanical defect/breakdown prevents them from being used. Once these two double deckers have left there are only single decker coaches remaining and that is a matter outside of the control of driving personnel.

is the 6.00 not a private single decker bus?

foggy_lad · 07-04-2014 10:47am

Geog1234 wrote: »

There are just two double deckers based at Cavan garage. These are designated to commence their daily work on the 06.00 and 07.00 departures. There is not a free for all and these are the buses which are used unless a mechanical defect/breakdown prevents them from being used. Once these two double deckers have left there are only single decker coaches remaining and that is a matter outside of the control of driving personnel.

There should be several of the double deck coaches ready to go in the morning from Cavan. And I was told by a driver that they can choose whichever bus they want when they gets to the depot in the morning, he always gets there a bit early to avoid being left with some yoke that everybody hates.

malene · 16-04-2014 10:25pm

I wish they'd put up a 109N on Bank Holiday Sundays.

horseburger · 16-04-2014 10:50pm

malene wrote: »

I wish they'd put up a 109N on Bank Holiday Sundays.

just wondering, have you taken it much, since the night it didn't stop at Blanchardstown slip road.

If so, has it been stopping at the slip road stop, where you got it on the occasions previous to the night that it didn't?

haro124 · 17-04-2014 6:05pm

18.00 bus to kells heading to the port tunnel. Is this usual?
Edit: ended up going on the motorway to dunshaughlin, had to try turn around, couldn't, ended up going out to the industrial estate to turn around

Commuter109 · 17-04-2014 7:31pm

Just got a rant of a text from a mate, he's on a 6.30 to Navan ( express I assume ) which didn't leave the yard until 7.10 whatever is going on.

Commuter109 · 07-05-2014 7:03pm

Two and a half glorious weeks away from work and BE. First day back. Literally sprinted to bus aras to make 6.30 express , made it at 6.29 fearing bus would be full but it wasn't . Only cos it hasn't showed!! We've been put on the 7 . Joke shop. Should have been in Navan at 7.30. More likely to be 8.20 by the time we do the nonsensical route

AlekSmart · 07-05-2014 8:25pm

Be aware from the 12th,of the new traffic flow arrangements around Matt Talbot Bridge and the Custom House Quay area.

Whilst the intent is good,I would be VERY concerned at the collateral damage which increased general traffic flow around Busáras and Beresford Place...It has the capacity to go very wrong,very quickly....Careful now....:eek:

Fiskar · 07-05-2014 8:37pm

Meanwhile on the train from M3 Parkway life is good, comfortable, on time every time............

Have seen some of Bus Eireann travelling community hit the trains lately. Personally when I pass a 109 in the morning and see how long it takes to load 1 or 2 passengers I cringe. Leap card or no entry onto the system for the trains, thats the way it should be for the Bus, I even got my son a leap card for the train, bus etc.

Yeah reckon the Luas works and redirected traffic will affect both around College green and Busarus.

haro124 · 07-05-2014 8:40pm

This day next week will hopefully be last using the 109 for commuting

Copyerselveson · 08-05-2014 11:15am

Fiskar wrote: »

Meanwhile on the train from M3 Parkway life is good, comfortable, on time every time............

Have seen some of Bus Eireann travelling community hit the trains lately. Personally when I pass a 109 in the morning and see how long it takes to load 1 or 2 passengers I cringe. Leap card or no entry onto the system for the trains, thats the way it should be for the Bus, I even got my son a leap card for the train, bus etc.

Yeah reckon the Luas works and redirected traffic will affect both around College green and Busarus.

Has there been any discussion locally in Co. Meath about pushing for the rail extension to Navan?

Commuter109 · 08-05-2014 12:59pm

Not that I've heard, one would think being a large commuter town its something that might raise its head come local election time, but havent seen it mentioned in any of the literature that's been posted in the door.

Commuter109 · 12-05-2014 12:45pm

There was a BE guy on the 6.30 express last Friday, handing out complaints forms, for anyone that wanted them re an incident the previous evening. Not sure of the full details, but I think it involved a bus bombing down the motorway, and shaking to the extent that people were genuinely frightened. Possibly the 5.30 or 6.30 express as some of those guys do travel too fast, as has been documented here before.

First time I've seen BE actively encourgaging complaints all the same, whatever the story was.

Commuter109 · 28-07-2014 5:23pm

Another first today , just seen someone use a leap card on the r109!

AlekSmart · 28-07-2014 11:09pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Another first today , just seen someone use a leap card on the r109!

Welcome back 109....hope things have'nt been TOO quiet on the route in recent times....a wee bit of excitement is good for the spirit....the moral fibre if you like ...

tom23 · 31-07-2014 9:08am

No 7:05 express this morning. A lot of unhappy campers at Market Square and Ard Boyne stops. Don't forget folks to email Bus Eireann's customer service to see what happened.

Commuter109 · 01-08-2014 12:29pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

Welcome back 109....hope things have'nt been TOO quiet on the route in recent times....a wee bit of excitement is good for the spirit....the moral fibre if you like ...

Thanks AS, all is still great in 109 land. To be fair the summer is never too bad with the schools off etc.. I have been taking the car a fair bit of recent as like alluded to re 7.05 above, I have one too many buses not showing up in the last while.

Can't believe its taken something like 9 months to see a single leap card in action! there again the problem still exists of using clapped out private buses for the busiest express routes in the mornings and evening which arent leap enabled which is scandalous so long after roll out. shows the level of committment to the leap project.

Anyway, we'll struggle on, I'm sure these big changes they have been working on for almost two years now will make huge enhancements to the service!

foggy_lad · 01-08-2014 12:50pm

tom23 wrote: »

No 7:05 express this morning. A lot of unhappy campers at Market Square and Ard Boyne stops. Don't forget folks to email Bus Eireann's customer service to see what happened.

And email the NTA if the response from bus Éireann is non existent or just not good enough. Remember the nta are more or less in charge of the 109 route.

AlekSmart · 01-08-2014 12:51pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Thanks AS, all is still great in 109 land. To be fair the summer is never too bad with the schools off etc......
Can't believe its taken something like 9 months to see a single leap card in action! there again the problem still exists of using clapped out private buses for the busiest express routes in the mornings and evening which arent leap enabled which is scandalous so long after roll out. shows the level of committment to the leap project.

Anyway, we'll struggle on, I'm sure these big changes they have been working on for almost two years now will make huge enhancements to the service!

109,It's an ecumenical matter really....and we are assured that Leapcard is a "phased" system...or was that "fazed"...I can't actually remember now.

However,any problems with operational matters will have to await the outcome of the NTA's little...erm...expression of concern (?) relating to Bus Éireann's livery as applied to buses on PSO services.

As a regular commuter,I would ask you to be very vigilant in this regard,as there is nothing so serious as being on board a Bus/Coach with an incorrect logo applied...:rolleyes:

P.S. Does Navan/Kells have the equivalent of a Skibereen Eagle which could keep an eye on developments for us ?

Commuter109 · 26-08-2014 9:05am

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/bus-eireann-computer-glitch-leaves-30000-schoolchildren-with-no-tickets-640177.html

Why doesn't this surprise me? lol

Furp · 26-08-2014 9:33am

Well the summer has come to an end and I am back on the 109 so the children can go to school in comfort, I noticed now that with web tickets the bus ticket machine now prints two tickets one for the driver and one for the passenger. must be the workaround for drivers writing the mac numbers down.

Still a slow process, surely a bar code reader could be added to the machine and QR codes sent as bus tickets to email. Anyway going to get a yearly ticket soon on Leap so it will be interesting to see how that goes down compared to my previous experience.

Commuter109 · 22-09-2014 1:18pm

Did you get that leap card Furp? If so I assume it has picture ID?

The whole internet ticket fiasco is a nightmare. The buses are late leaving every monday morning. The 7.05 last week, left Navan (i.e Johnstown stop) at 7.28.

I'm also not sure if a second bus is turning up for the 7.20 express in the mornings, if it is it certainly doesnt appear to be doing so on time.

Furp · 22-09-2014 1:56pm

Still waiting on my company to process the forms I should have it for the beginning of October, i have seen a few people use them. I was also on one of the 7.05s last week and it made me even later for work with how long it took to get everyone on board.

My employer only lets you get the yearly tickets, but the cost is take out over 6 months, which is still slightly cheaper then buying weekly tickets, although over 12 months it brings the cost down to €25 a week net cost.

There was another I was late and the two 7.20s were in Market square i stupidly gone on the wrong one, as i normally get the 6.20 bus.

tara83 · 25-09-2014 8:54am

Haven't had to use the 109 in a good while. What's the service like from Dunshaughlin these days. At peak times does it go up into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre?

foggy_lad · 25-09-2014 11:11am

tara83 wrote: »

Haven't had to use the 109 in a good while. What's the service like from Dunshaughlin these days. At peak times does it go up into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre?

No, from Dublin it only goes to the stop in the centre between the 8.30am and 4pm buses and also from the 7pm bus to the last bus.

Still madness having every bus going through Cabra and picking up at the Mater hospital. There should only be one bus an hour at the most stopping between Busáras and Dunshaughlin.

tara83 · 25-09-2014 11:18am

I'd fully agree. Crazy that the Navan express gets to Navan faster then those travelling to Dunshaughlin.

tom23 · 06-10-2014 9:38am

Very frustrating on the 07:05 Express this morning. Ok Monday mornings, especially wet ones will delay you. I accept that. But watching the 07:20 Express pulling out at 07:24 at the Ardboyne while the 07:05 is determined to pick up every straggler (even the ones running from across the road at the Ardboyne) leaves this commuter feeling exaspareted and wishing that they had got the 07:20 instead. Every minute counts at this time and I feel buses should be pulling out on time, the way they do at Bus Aras. Close door and go!

Also very frustrating is the Internet tickets which has to be the longest winded way of paying a fare / transaction on any public transport model in Western Europe, I accept in some case its driver dependent in that some drivers can zip through them and in some cases can be significantly slower. While 1 or 2 doesn't do much damage, but over 10 cam just delay ya, forget about!

Slippin Jimmy · 06-10-2014 10:12am

Can you use a leapcard on the 109 to Navan? I have an annual luas and dublin bus one.

Furp · 06-10-2014 10:14am

Yes you can you need to ask for a blue zone return ticket, as you will be paying from your credit.

LXFlyer · 06-10-2014 10:16am

tom23 wrote: »

Very frustrating on the 07:05 Express this morning. Ok Monday mornings, especially wet ones will delay you. I accept that. But watching the 07:20 Express pulling out at 07:24 at the Ardboyne while the 07:05 is determined to pick up every straggler (even the ones running from across the road at the Ardboyne) leaves this commuter feeling exaspareted and wishing that they had got the 07:20 instead. Every minute counts at this time and I feel buses should be pulling out on time, the way they do at Bus Aras. Close door and go!

Also very frustrating is the Internet tickets which has to be the longest winded way of paying a fare / transaction on any public transport model in Western Europe, I accept in some case its driver dependent in that some drivers can zip through them and in some cases can be significantly slower. While 1 or 2 doesn't do much damage, but over 10 cam just delay ya, forget about!

Are people switching to LEAP in any numbers have you noticed?

Given the prices, it's a bit surprising they're not.

Single:
Cash - €13.30
Internet - €12.64
LEAP - €11.17

Day Return:
Cash - €17.50
Internet - €16.62
LEAP - €16.80 (24 hour unlimited ticket)

10 Journey - €60
Internet - €57
LEAP - €56.50 (Weekly unlimited ticket)

Slippin Jimmy · 06-10-2014 11:09am

Furp wrote: »

Yes you can you need to ask for a blue zone return ticket, as you will be paying from your credit.

Thanks. Do you know if it is possible to buy a return ticket on Friday and then return on a Sunday?

ailbheg · 06-10-2014 11:12am

Duffff-Man wrote: »

Thanks. Do you know if it is possible to buy a return ticket on Friday and then return on a Sunday?

The leap rolling pass is a 24hr one, so it depends on what time you're heading on Friday and returning on Saturday.

LXFlyer · 06-10-2014 11:28am

Duffff-Man wrote: »

Can you use a leapcard on the 109 to Navan? I have an annual luas and dublin bus one.

Furp wrote: »

Yes you can you need to ask for a blue zone return ticket, as you will be paying from your credit.

Duffff-Man wrote: »

Thanks. Do you know if it is possible to buy a return ticket on Friday and then return on a Sunday?

ailbheg wrote: »

The leap rolling pass is a 24hr one, so it depends on what time you're heading on Friday and returning on Saturday.

Technically speaking what you have is a LEAP card, and you have loaded an annual Dublin Bus/LUAS ticket onto it. The card is still a standard LEAP card.

You need to load money onto the epurse on your LEAP card first at a Payzone agent or at any LUAS/Irish Rail ticket machine.

Then you can get a 24 hour ticket (Blue Zone) from the driver on the bus for €16.80, which will allow you take as many trips as you like within 24 hours ticket of its first validation.

tom23 · 06-10-2014 11:29am

lxflyer wrote: »

Are people switching to LEAP in any numbers have you noticed?

Given the prices, it's a bit surprising they're not.

Single:
Cash - €13.30
Internet - €12.64
LEAP - €11.17

Day Return:
Cash - €17.50
Internet - €16.62
LEAP - €16.80 (24 hour unlimited ticket)

10 Journey - €60
Internet - €57
LEAP - €56.50 (Weekly unlimited ticket)

No not a large uptake I'm afraid. I have seen maybe about 4 people with Leap Cards (but thats just the bus I use). In fact I seen one driver was trying to tell a customer that his Leap Card was not valid and that he could not travel. This commuter is a long term commuter and was arguing that his ticket worked the day before. He got of the he bus and then another customers card would not work so the Driver had to let him back on the bus. Mental.

I'm afraid that cash is still very much king followed by the Internet ticket.

LXFlyer · 06-10-2014 11:32am

tom23 wrote: »

No not a large uptake I'm afraid. I have seen maybe about 4 people with Leap Cards. In fact I seen one driver was trying to tell a customer that his Leap Card was not valid and that he could not travel. This commuter is a long term commuter and was arguing that his ticket worked the day before. He got of the he bus and then another customers card would not work so the Driver has to let him back on the bus. Mental.

I'm afraid that cash is still very much king followed by Internet ticket.

Bizarre - people in this country really are not savvy when it comes to using cheaper options on public transport.

tom23 · 06-10-2014 11:34am

lxflyer wrote: »

Bizarre - people in this country really are not savvy when it comes to using cheaper options on public transport.

Its just not visible enough. Its the same with the tax saver tickets. The amount of people still paying cash is crazy.

LXFlyer · 06-10-2014 11:40am

tom23 wrote: »

Its just not visible enough. Its the same with the tax saver tickets. The amount of people still paying cash is crazy.

I disagree it's not visible - there are still lots of people paying cash on Dublin Bus yet every bus shelter has a notice advising of LEAP discounts.

A large number of Irish people are just not prepared to look at alternatives to paying cash - the only way to succeed is to ultimately make cash fares disproportionately higher than LEAP.

Quite ridiculous when the same people will then moan about the cost of everything.

Bus Eireann routes 109/109A Changes

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