Bus Eireann routes 109/109A Changes

LXFlyer · 24-04-2012 10:13am

Geog1234 wrote: »

Having seen many Bus Éireann timetables over the years the exact placing of text boxes of footnotes within a timetable is normally intended to apply to the whole service on all of the days that it operates (daily in the 109's case).

Ideally the Blanchardstown Bypass should have been constructed with a proper bus bay at this location.

Certainly, no need to go up the slip road if there's nobody for either stop.

Quite right Geog1234 - the text box wouldn't fit on the first page.

The timetable clearly says on all pages -
All services set−down at Blanchardstown (Slip Road)

It then adds in a text box on the second page:

Blanchardstown: Travelling to Dublin, bus stop is the Dublin Bus stop on

the R121beside the R121/N3 interchange.

To my mind that is perfectly clear - that is the stop served by all inbound services if someone needs to get off the bus, and not the side of the bypass.

Commuter109 · 01-05-2012 1:25pm

Interesting journey this morning, nothing that out of the ordinary really (i.e bus door gave problems, wasnt enough space for everybody queing at the ardboyne stop, got the usual voiceover "next stop O connell street" while coming up westmoreland street, driver wasnt entirely sure of the route, missed the kilrcarn exit onto the M3 and had to take the Skryne one instead )

The shocking difference was that he asked people at the ardboyne stop to volunteer to stand, i.e no seats left, but if you're willing to stand, please come onboard, which 3 or 4 did! Haven't seen people standing on a coach for years, particularly one thats hitting high speeds up a motorway!!

foggy_lad · 01-05-2012 4:39pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Interesting journey this morning, nothing that out of the ordinary really (i.e bus door gave problems, wasnt enough space for everybody queing at the ardboyne stop, got the usual voiceover "next stop O connell street" while coming up westmoreland street, driver wasnt entirely sure of the route, missed the kilrcarn exit onto the M3 and had to take the Skryne one instead )

The shocking difference was that he asked people at the ardboyne stop to volunteer to stand, i.e no seats left, but if you're willing to stand, please come onboard, which 3 or 4 did! Haven't seen people standing on a coach for years, particularly one thats hitting high speeds up a motorway!!

Asking or allowing people to stand is illegal afaik as coaches to not have specific accommodation for standees, also the coach should be restricted to a much lower speed if people are allowed stand.

AlekSmart · 01-05-2012 5:29pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Interesting journey this morning, nothing that out of the ordinary really (i.e bus door gave problems, wasnt enough space for everybody queing at the ardboyne stop, got the usual voiceover "next stop O connell street" while coming up westmoreland street, driver wasnt entirely sure of the route, missed the kilrcarn exit onto the M3 and had to take the Skryne one instead )

The shocking difference was that he asked people at the ardboyne stop to volunteer to stand, i.e no seats left, but if you're willing to stand, please come onboard, which 3 or 4 did! Haven't seen people standing on a coach for years, particularly one thats hitting high speeds up a motorway!!

Wow,I hope those speeds were'nt in excess of 65 KMPH !! :eek:

Was this a BE or contractor operated departure ?

HIGHLY irregular and an indication perhaps of a well meaning Driver leaving himself totally exposed to all manner of retribution in the event of something going wrong.

The type of vehicle would be significant in this case.

If it's a Double Deck coach,such as the LD type used frequently on the 109.

The legal lettering regarding the carrying capacities should be clearly displayed around the drivers cab.

If there is no mention of Standing Pasengers then the coach must only operate with a seated load.

No if's but's or maybe's.

As for the Speed Limits,then there's another minefield for that well-meaning driver.

If the Coach has Provision for standing pasengers then it's restricted to 65 KMPH.

If The Coach has NO provision for Standees then the Limit is 100 KMPH on Dual Carriageways or Motorways and 80 KMPH on other roads.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2008/en/si/0546.html

You are quite right to be shocked,Commuter109,as this type of practice has a nasty habit of slowly becoming the norm,if not swiftly challenged at the earliest opportunity.

If this turns out to be more than a single example of driver overenthusiasm,then it indicates that the 109 Timetable requires urgent attention,with God forbid,even a belated recognition of the existence of a gigantic big Tunnel through which Vehicles may travel....:)

Vic_08 · 01-05-2012 11:06pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Interesting journey this morning, nothing that out of the ordinary really (i.e bus door gave problems, wasnt enough space for everybody queing at the ardboyne stop, got the usual voiceover "next stop O connell street" while coming up westmoreland street, driver wasnt entirely sure of the route, missed the kilrcarn exit onto the M3 and had to take the Skryne one instead )

The shocking difference was that he asked people at the ardboyne stop to volunteer to stand, i.e no seats left, but if you're willing to stand, please come onboard, which 3 or 4 did! Haven't seen people standing on a coach for years, particularly one thats hitting high speeds up a motorway!!

It is worth pointing out that using Skryne is slightly quicker than Navan South, it is almost a dead straight road between Kilcarn and Skryne while the M3 route is a good bit longer.

Asking people to stand is pretty stupid, if anything were to happen he could say bye bye job and worse.

AlekSmart wrote: »

You are quite right to be shocked,Commuter109,as this type of practice has a nasty habit of slowly becoming the norm,if not swiftly challenged at the earliest opportunity.

Not likely, Alek. The vast majority of us would not even consider it. I have on occasion had arguements with people who thought they could bully, cajole or bribe me into letting them travel standing; they couldn't. If any driver mentioned to me they had let people stand I would have no hesitation in politely explaining why they were idiots.

I have no idea why this individual did this, there are some new recruits to the company out on the road, maybe it was one of these guys not that being new is an excuse mind.

AlekSmart wrote: »

If this turns out to be more than a single example of driver overenthusiasm,then it indicates that the 109 Timetable requires urgent attention,with God forbid,even a belated recognition of the existence of a gigantic big Tunnel through which Vehicles may travel....:)

I think this thread is enough evidence that the 109 timetables requires urgent attention. At this point IMO only an organised campaign by regular passengers is likely to effect the required changes. Frontline staff are only too well aware of the issues, it is senior management and in particular the NTA, who it appears are now making these decisions as the PSO routes are now their property with BE little more than a sub-contractor.

foggy_lad · 01-05-2012 11:59pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

The type of vehicle would not be significant in this case.

If it's a Double Deck coach,such as the LD type used frequently on the 109 There will be no accomodation for standees.

The legal lettering regarding the carrying capacities should be clearly displayed around the drivers cab. will show 0 standing.

If there is no mention of Standing Pasengers then the coach must only operate with a seated load.

No if's but's or maybe's.

As for the Speed Limits,then there's another minefield for that well-meaning driver. Not really, The driver is breaking the law by carrying standees regardless of traveling at 100kph 80kph or the lower 65kph limit!

If the Coach has Provision for standing pasengers then it's restricted to 65 KMPH.

If The Coach has NO provision for Standees then the Limit is 100 KMPH on Dual Carriageways or Motorways and 80 KMPH on other roads.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2008/en/si/0546.html

The type of vehicle would not have any bearing except that it is designed to carry standees and is restricted/limited to 65kph or is not and is restricted/limited to 100kph.

If you have an LD coach of the types used on the 109, 120 and 111 routes and are carrying standees you are breaking the law as the buses are not designed for standees but the buses used on the 103 and 105 routes are designed to carry standees and are restricted to 65kph.

You are not be allowed to have standes on any bus or coach that does not have specific accommodation for standees even if you restrict your speed to the lower 65kph limit.

Commuter109 · 02-05-2012 8:27pm

In fairness, definately a well meaning driver leaving himself exposed, nice fella he was , just a fundamental error on his part, particularly given the fact the signage straight in from of him clearing indicated "standing - 0"

Its a result of not enough express buses at peak times, and certainly not enough double deckers. Single decker yesterday and today on the 7.05 and 7.20 respectively.

Yesterday, as I said, even with about 4 standing, circa 5 more could not be accommadated at the ardboyne stop, so had to get the bus that goes the old road via Dunshlaughlin

This morning, for the 7.20 express, 9 were who were queing for the express were left disappointed.

NTA are as big a joke as BE, I'm currently trying to get a few answers out of them to little avail thus far, but I'll keep plugging away!

foggy_lad · 02-05-2012 8:37pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

In fairness, definately a well meaning driver leaving himself exposed, nice fella he was , just a fundamental error on his part, particularly given the fact the signage straight in from of him clearing indicated "standing - 0"

Its a result of not enough express buses at peak times, and certainly not enough double deckers. Single decker yesterday and today on the 7.05 and 7.20 respectively.

Yesterday, as I said, even with about 4 standing, circa 5 more could not be accommadated at the ardboyne stop, so had to get the bus that goes the old road via Dunshlaughlin

This morning, for the 7.20 express, 9 were who were queing for the express were left disappointed.

NRA are as big a joke as BE, I'm currently trying to get a few answers out of them to little avail thus far, but I'll keep plugging away!

That is like the current situation with the Waterford buses which have to crawl along at 80kph even on the motorways because Carlow people are not entitled to get home a bit faster and the drivers don't want to be waiting for 20minutes in Carlow. The whole service is a joke since the new timetable with many drivers leaving Dublin via Inchicore village which has a 3tonne limit so they are breaking the law to avoid the way they should go because of several near misses at the M50/Naas rd junction when they try to cut across 4busy lanes of traffic in a couple of hundred metres to serve the red cow Luas stop.

Sur that's mad ted!

Kutebride · 14-05-2012 3:45pm

Missed my usual private coach this a.m. so am on a return ticket with BE for my sins.

If I turn up for the 17.30 109, is it express via port tunnel stopping at Ardboyne in Navan this pm?
What time should one get to Bus Aras as expect there is a queue for this?

Commuter109 · 15-05-2012 6:39pm

6.30 going the port tunnell this evening ! A welcome break from the normal senseless route

Commuter109 · 22-06-2012 7:07pm

Never though I'd say it but bless west life. Common sense decision by BE to run at least some buses via DPT due to traffic carnage on nortside. 32 minutes to the toll on the m3. Shame it takes something like this to knock a bit of lateral thinking and common sense into the BE powers that be

Commuter109 · 02-10-2012 1:46pm

God, this thread has been quiet for ages, I guess everybody is happy with the great service!

The direct buses at 7.05 and 7.20 are becoming a nightmare, last two days they have been single deckers. Mondays 7.20 eventually left at 7.30 and today’s 7.05 left well after 7.10. That said at least you have a chance of getting on one in the square. Last two days (and I've seen this many times before), the popularity of the direct service coupled with using single deckers) has meant that they have filled up in the Square, so not a chance of anybody waiting at Johnstown getting on.

There appeared to be an inspector at the Johnstown stop today to witness it first hand, not sure if that was random or it was because of complaints etc..

Bottom line is there is demand for these direct services (both ways) shame there is only two of them in the mornings (and one in the evening)

malene · 02-10-2012 8:41pm

The othher day I was in navan getting bus back, driver shouted when everyone was on board, anyone for blanchardstown shopping centre, there was silence, so he bypassed that GOD AWFUL trip up the slip road, into the queue of traffic in the shopping centre, swiming back on to the slip road etc.... It was a reliefe NOT to go into the shopping centre. I wish more drivers would check and if NO one is going to the S.C, then bypass it. Common sense. Hopefully a bull bypass will happen aroud xmas like last year.

shannon82 · 02-10-2012 9:04pm

hi

the reason the 705(not sure about the 720) is full is that people from Kells are getting the 645 to navan and transfering bus as the express that we can get is arriving late and full most days. There are are least 15 people doing this. There was an inspector there last week also not sure if it was the same guy-all he said was we must put on a double decker. Is the easiest thing not to make the 645 bus from Kells and do the pickups as its always a double decker bus.

Commuter109 · 03-10-2012 8:45am

"the reason the 705(not sure about the 720) is full is that people from Kells are getting the 645 to navan and transfering bus as the express that we can get is arriving late and full most days"

Proof again of the demand for express services. The inspector was on the 7.05 in Navan again this morning and off course the situation wasnt as bad! that said, once again it was a single decker and not everybody at Johnston was able to get on.

I'd been on leave for a few weeks, but apparently morning services have been having issues re capacity etc for the last number of weeks (students back I guess). I was talking to a fella in the busaras yesterday who told me he had emailed BE 3 times in the last few weeks re the R109, but as ususal no response was forthcoming!!

Kutebride · 03-10-2012 12:31pm

Unfortunately the 0705 or 0720 dont suit me with dropping off child. I am usually sprinting for the private Sillian coach which leaves Ardboyne around 0736. Like to keep appraised of BE as still get it from time to time. The trip into Blanch really wrecks my head in the evening.

I hope he isnt going through blanch in the morning.

Do they still go through Clonee in the morning WHY oh WHY

Commuter109 · 03-10-2012 1:29pm

On the issue of morning departures I just noticed the below thread from Feb of this year in this thread

"Received from Damien English TD:

The position of Bus Eireann is as follows.

'In relation to the 109, we will be applying by the end of this week to the NTA for a licence to operate a peak morning departure from Navan via the Port Tunnel, and a peak evening departure from Busaras to Navan via the Port Tunnel. If and when we have the licence, we put these services in as soon as possible.'

The timeline on the NTA's own website for decision on applications for a licence are for commercial operators & can take up to eight weeks. In relation to the Public Service Obligation Routes like Navan, once Bus Éireann make a decision to make an application to amend a route, the NTA expect to be able to make a decision on this swiftly, within days rather than weeks I have been told.

Hopefully there will be closure on this next week or early the week after. Can you keep me informed from your end?

Regards

Damien"

Shame nothing ever came of the express service to Dublin via port tunnel, I have driven that route once or twice before in the mornings and while not saying it would be so quick all the time, I was heading down the quays in under the hour mark.

That said, I'd be happy if the could just up the number of peak time evening departures via DPT

Vic_08 · 04-10-2012 12:33am

malene wrote: »

The othher day I was in navan getting bus back, driver shouted when everyone was on board, anyone for blanchardstown shopping centre, there was silence, so he bypassed that GOD AWFUL trip up the slip road, into the queue of traffic in the shopping centre, swiming back on to the slip road etc.... It was a reliefe NOT to go into the shopping centre. I wish more drivers would check and if NO one is going to the S.C, then bypass it. Common sense. Hopefully a bull bypass will happen aroud xmas like last year.

I don't know why anyone would volunteer to drive through that hole if they didn't have to. If I have nobody on board who buys a ticket to Blanch, presents an existing ticket to there or specifically asks for the stop then I don't leave the N3.

It is an incredibly stupid situation, the pick-up stop on the slip road is a 2 minute walk from the one in the shopping complex (and by all accounts is used by more passengers) and the drop-off on the N3 is less than 10 minutes. In heavy traffic it is slower to drive it and IMO it is very bad customer service to inflict a 15 minute delay on a busload of passengers for a small benefit for 1 or 2.

Commuter109 wrote: »

"the reason the 705(not sure about the 720) is full is that people from Kells are getting the 645 to navan and transfering bus as the express that we can get is arriving late and full most days"

Proof again of the demand for express services. The inspector was on the 7.05 in Navan again this morning and off course the situation wasnt as bad! that said, once again it was a single decker and not everybody at Johnston was able to get on.

I'd been on leave for a few weeks, but apparently morning services have been having issues re capacity etc for the last number of weeks (students back I guess). I was talking to a fella in the busaras yesterday who told me he had emailed BE 3 times in the last few weeks re the R109, but as ususal no response was forthcoming!!

An extra bus was provided this morning (a hired-in one) which started loading at Market Sq after the 7.05 left, it left in between that and the 7.20 (which this morning was a double-decker) with space for Ardboyne passengers that could not be accomodated on the 7.05. The 7.20 was not full so all were accomodated from both stops.

It is known that these services are busy and should have a LD type allocated if possible. This has not been happening consistently because there are not always enough available for various reasons, mechanical faults leaving the numbers available for service reduced being a major one.

I do not know if the extra bus was a temporary measure or not but the problem with these services being over-subscribed is not being ignored.

Ensuring both M3 departures have a LD every day is obviously the best solution but it would mean re-allocating them from other services which may also need the capacity just as much.

Commuter109 wrote: »

Shame nothing ever came of the express service to Dublin via port tunnel, I have driven that route once or twice before in the mornings and while not saying it would be so quick all the time, I was heading down the quays in under the hour mark.

I seriously doubt there would be any time savings using that route inbound, North Wall Quay can also be very slow going. The M3 service make O'Connell Street in less than an hour usually anyway from what I have been told.

Outbound is a completely different story with the bottlenecks and lack of bus priority as far as Ashtown, IMO between 4 and 7pm the 1/2 hourly frequency through Cabra should be maintained with all the other extra services Busaras non stop to Fairyhouse, Navan or Kells. That would maintain a reasonable service for the intermediate points but provide as quick as possible journeys for those boarding in Busaras going to Dunshaughlin and beyond who make up the vast majority of the custom during that period. There is really no justification for shoving 20+ packed buses down one of the most congested corridors in the city to cater for stops that probably generate less than 2 busloads in total.

I have said it before but the commuters on that route should create a users group to lobby the NTA and Bus Eireann in order to improve their service.

Commuter109 · 04-10-2012 1:40pm

Vic_08 wrote: »

Outbound is a completely different story with the bottlenecks and lack of bus priority as far as Ashtown, IMO between 4 and 7pm the 1/2 hourly frequency through Cabra should be maintained with all the other extra services Busaras non stop to Fairyhouse, Navan or Kells. That would maintain a reasonable service for the intermediate points but provide as quick as possible journeys for those boarding in Busaras going to Dunshaughlin and beyond who make up the vast majority of the custom during that period. There is really no justification for shoving 20+ packed buses down one of the most congested corridors in the city to cater for stops that probably generate less than 2 busloads in total.

I have said it before but the commuters on that route should create a users group to lobby the NTA and Bus Eireann in order to improve their service.

Couldn't agree more with above. I've said this before about how many get on and off at the stops between Bus Aras and Blanch and have pointed this out to BE to no avail.

The 6.30 is a prime example, without looking at the timetable, I'm nearly sure that there are 3 buses leaving at 6.30 all going out via cabra

Re a user group, all up for that, if anybody's interested drop me a PM.

I think back in February when BE took the 5.30 express off the DPT route there was email correspondence to Damien English quoted here, and if memory serves me correctly that decision was reversed very quickly.

Kutebride · 08-10-2012 8:20am

I was driving into city centre on Sunday from Navan. I passed the slip road to Blanch at 1500, tailback, with a 109 plonked on the slip road in said tailback. I was wondering if it even had customers for Blanch-hope there was so not to infuriate all passengers.

Commuter109 · 08-10-2012 1:51pm

I see that they have amended the expressway 30 timetable again, unfortunately at a glance it appears that they have done away with the 6 oclock that went through the port tunnell and served Dunslaughlin, Navan and kells which is a shame, as it was a great if you had missed the 5.30 express etc.. and where further afield stops permitted I've ofthen seen in excess of 20 Navan and Dunslaughlin users getting it, got you into Navan circa 10-15 minutes quicker than the normal 6 o clock that goes out via Cabra.

Kutebride · 08-10-2012 2:01pm

Well spotted. How did it come to your attention?

Boooo. Notice the date at top of timetable not updated.

Any BE 109 going through DPT in the evening now?

Commuter109 · 08-10-2012 2:19pm

Just the 5.30 express now as far as I know,

AlekSmart · 08-10-2012 9:07pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Just the 5.30 express now as far as I know,

What an absolutely incredible state-of-affairs....GUBU indeed

One immediate solution might be to extend some of the Bus Atha Cliath routes to Dunshoughlin,although with the calibre of BE management they would react with more services through Blanch !!!!

malene · 09-10-2012 8:20pm

This is an account of some disturbing behaviour by a Bus Eireann driver last night (109 bus) and it really should be highlighted and I hope management reads this.

I experienced what I can only call, one of the most uncomfortable experiences as a passenger, and witnessed the most disturbing behaviour by a driver I have ever seen.

People queued up to get on the bus at gate 7. The driver would either bark his dissatisfaction at them or raise his voice in an intimidating way. He would ORDER passengers in the strongest tone, to put their baggage, even if it was a small suitcase, into the side luggage door and NOT bring it inside. If it was monster of a suitcase, I'd understand, this was not though. Passengers didn't know where to look and some of us looked at eachother as if to say, is this happening.

Then he pulled out and a woman , clearly in her sixties, came out of gate 7 and waved at him, he couldn't reverse, so went back towards the gate and stopped. He pointed at the woman in and enraged manner to go back inside. She was 4 foot from the bus (and CCTV will back me up) and he just WOULD NOT let her on. To refuse a woman onto a bus, when he clearly COULD have, is mindboggling, sinister, a disagrace, sickening and a sign of someone who has a bullying streak and has a serious anger management issue.

Then, later on, people would come up from the side and kindly ask him to stop at next stop. 99% of drivers nod and stop. This guy barked at them that they should press the button on top and sent them back to press the button. Again, a real control freak. At night, the buttons are not really visible and most people realise the bus driver is usually accomodating. To order the passanger back to his seat to press a bell to stop a bus, that the driver already knew he had to stop is a sign of a control freak (or you can fill in your own diagnosis here).

His demeanour is really off putting and establishes a very bad vibe on the bus. People have enough on their plate and get on buses just to go home or whatever and don't need this kind of thing froma driver.

I don't look at the driver as a reflection of Bus Eireann overall, but I do look at him as someone under the radar that management are not aware of and clearly he needs to be removed for intimidating customers.

And before you say he had a bad day, that was the 2nd time I've seen him in action.

He barked at an African man one day on the airport bus for talking on his phone while paying for the ticket. Ok, maybe you should put the phone aside while you pay for ticket, but to be viciously condecending is unreal. This guy has a problem with race too and that was absolutely clear from the way he treated the guy.

This driver is just too sharp, can cut you short and is like the scariest principal you ever had in school.

I felt so bad for that woman, left standing at the departure gate, but yet,I was afraid to say to the driver "sorry, can you stop the bus and let the woman on"? , in case he lambasted me afor not minding my own business.

If there's anyone from buseireannmanagement and you can verify yourself witha od, I'll PM details of driver and time of bus. This guy needs to be put in his place before he actually provokes someone. A P45 is the only way.

M

Commuter109 · 11-10-2012 1:18pm

malene wrote: »

If there's anyone from buseireannmanagement and you can verify yourself witha od, I'll PM details of driver and time of bus. This guy needs to be put in his place before he actually provokes someone. A P45 is the only way.

M

Unfortunatley Malene , BE dont do complaints/ negative feedback!

They don't check/ refuse to acknowledge emails directed at them, never mind acknowlodging something posted on this forum.

malene · 11-10-2012 9:31pm

Commuter109 wrote: »

Unfortunatley Malene , BE dont do complaints/ negative feedback!

They don't check/ refuse to acknowledge emails directed at them, never mind acknowlodging something posted on this forum.

If there was enugh media attention, they might. DRivers can't bully passengers and hide behind unions.

shannon82 · 11-10-2012 9:59pm

eh just in relation to not letting the woman on the bus once the bus closes the door and begins to pull away he doesnt have to let anybody else on the bus. as a regular commuter this is a common occurance and really annoys me that i can make the bus on time and then as straglers arrive we end up leaving late

malene · 11-10-2012 10:20pm

shannon82 wrote: »

eh just in relation to not letting the woman on the bus once the bus closes the door and begins to pull away he doesnt have to let anybody else on the bus. as a regular commuter this is a common occurance and really annoys me that i can make the bus on time and then as straglers arrive we end up leaving late

fair enough, but he drove back into his spot again and paused as something was obstructing him from behind, so she stood there and he pointed angrily at her to basicly "feck off" back inside. Now, he could have let her on, while he waited for the obstruction, but there was this GOD awful awkwardness as we all looked out at her just standing there,m 4 foot away and back at him, ADAMANT she was not getting on. Common courtesy is al that was needed. All of us at some point just miss the bus or something, or we're 2 minutes late, but having her stand there and refusing to let her on is just really rude to be honest.

Mal

shannon82 · 11-10-2012 10:39pm

In fairness this thread is for talkin about the timetable etc.i see you have posted in another thread also-maybe we shud just stick to the title

Commuter109 · 17-10-2012 8:16pm

back to single decker for the 7.05 express this morning, and a couple of poor sods being left at the bus stop at Johnstown in the p***ing rain cos the bus was full

tom23 · 17-10-2012 10:20pm

I have been keeping an eye on this thread and like my fellow commuter 109 I have been frustrated at different levels over the last month. People in all seriousness, when submitting complaints to Bus Eireann, cc the NTA on them, your local councillor etc.

People will sit up and take notice, particularly when the NTA are involved.

wavehopper1 · 18-10-2012 8:26pm

Two buses leave Navan town at 7.20 - an Express (up the M3) and the longer route. I was at the bus stop at 7.10. The express bus arrived - and then pulled off at 7.15 (five minute early). Two men were sauntering up to it as it pulled off, and looked at each other amazed. It wasn't full, by the way.

The other bus came on time and we departed. The next stop is outside Navan but before the M3 so the Express should stop there. I was sitting downstairs, and when the bus pulled in, the first guy at the stop asked the driver about the Express. The driver clearly stated that the Express was behind him! Not true! So a number of passengers chose not to get on the indirect bus and waited behind. The next bus is not an express so they were really out of luck.

When I twigged why people weren't getting on the bus, I tried to get up towards the front to shout out the doors that the express bus was already gone, but there were too many passengers flowing against me. I'd say there were 5-6 people who were misinformed.

Kutebride · 18-10-2012 9:11pm

On the 109 Dublin to Cavan @ 20.30
Went through Blanch
Went through Clonee
No drops or collects-pity he didn't ask before we left.
Bus packed.
Navan stop pour moi

Kutebride · 18-10-2012 9:11pm

On the 109 Dublin to Cavan @ 20.30
Went through Blanch
Went through Clonee
No drops or collects-pity he didn't ask before we left.
Bus packed.
Navan stop pour moi

Commuter109 · 22-10-2012 8:22pm

wavehopper1 wrote: »

Two buses leave Navan town at 7.20 - an Express (up the M3) and the longer route. I was at the bus stop at 7.10. The express bus arrived - and then pulled off at 7.15 (five minute early). Two men were sauntering up to it as it pulled off, and looked at each other amazed. It wasn't full, by the way.

The other bus came on time and we departed. The next stop is outside Navan but before the M3 so the Express should stop there. I was sitting downstairs, and when the bus pulled in, the first guy at the stop asked the driver about the Express. The driver clearly stated that the Express was behind him! Not true! So a number of passengers chose not to get on the indirect bus and waited behind. The next bus is not an express so they were really out of luck.

When I twigged why people weren't getting on the bus, I tried to get up towards the front to shout out the doors that the express bus was already gone, but there were too many passengers flowing against me. I'd say there were 5-6 people who were misinformed.

Not sure, but when the single deckers are on, I think they may have been running two expresses buses in the last few days

Kutebride · 31-10-2012 3:31pm

Is the 6pm bus this evening an express?

tom23 · 31-10-2012 4:50pm

On the 109 departing at 3:30. Bus full to the brim, not a single seat empty . Driver does not seem to be aware (or doesn't care) and stops to let two passengers on at the ncr, so two people standing possibly to dun shaughlin. Can some one please tell what is the official rule on people standing?

And why do some drivers not keep a head count?

Vic_08 · 31-10-2012 10:12pm

Kutebride wrote: »

On the 109 Dublin to Cavan @ 20.30
Went through Blanch
Went through Clonee
No drops or collects-pity he didn't ask before we left.

Ask what exactly? "Can any psychics on board consult their crystal ball and tell us if anybody is going to be at Blanchardstown or Clonee in 20 minutes time waiting for a bus to Cavan"

Commuter109 · 31-10-2012 10:38pm

Vic_08 wrote: »

Ask what exactly? "Can any psychics on board consult their crystal ball and tell us if anybody is going to be at Blanchardstown or Clonee in 20 minutes time waiting for a bus to Cavan"

I think you've made your point, re Blanch anway (still a joke having a main service divert off into a traffic blackspot to serve one or two)

Re Clonee - not an official stop on the 109, so there should be no one waiting, the bus going via Clonee is madness, and if we're talkling sheaf of wheat stop, no crystal ball needed, as regards people getting on as far as im concerned, I dont think I've witnessed as much as one person getting on there in the 20 odd years I've used 109.

As for getting off there ,one lady gets off on the very odd occassion, (not surprising as there only appears to be about 4 houses there)

Again it's the old Bus Eireann mentality of having absolutely no problem with inconveniencing the vast majority for the sake of a tiny minority

LXFlyer · 01-11-2012 2:28am

It has nothing to do with a BE mentality - that is their licensed route by the NTA.

tom23 · 01-11-2012 10:30am

lxflyer wrote: »

It has nothing to do with a BE mentality - that is their licensed route by the NTA.

But is it not up to Bus Eireann to make an argument if the numbers are not their to justify a bus going a certain route. I agree with a lot of what Commuter 109 is saying regarding going the route of clonee. I have yet to see more than one person a month getting on (they never get of).

I really can't see the point of running every single bus through here. It really is a case of sacrifice the many for the sake of the one.

But like said before people need to be vocal, very vocal. And they need to back that up with fact, how many passengers a day / week / month get on / of during peak / off peak times.

And don't get me started on the Blanch S.C.

LXFlyer · 01-11-2012 10:51am

The NTA have been taking a far more proactive role in how subsidised bus services are developed - it may well have been their decision that the bus should serve the shopping centre.

People need to realise that the operating companies' hands are somewhat more tied than they may think.

The fact that Sillan's operate a commercial non-subsidised service (albeit far more limited than BE) along the Navan-Dublin route may also have implications as to what route a subsidised BE service can take.

Obviously BE can and should make cases for changes to the network based on numbers. To be fair to them there have been substantial numbers of changes in both the subsidised and commercial services over the past year.

As I've said before here, I would suggest that you ought to be making submissions directly to both Joe Kenny, the Regional Manager (East) for Bus Eireann who is based at Broadstone in Dublin 7, and also the Bus Licensing Section of the NTA, contact details here:
http://www.nationaltransport.ie/contact-us/intro-and-general-enquiries-press-contacts-and-oireachtas-liaison/

Commuter109 · 02-11-2012 7:44pm

Slip roads along the motorway up to blanch are a nightmare this evening and I don't think they are going to get any better in the run up to the festive season. About 30 of us on the bus just passed the obligatory sheaf of wheat stop as usual not a sinner getting on or off it. I'm going to email the nta this weekend as there is absolutely no justification for probably 20 odd buses a day servicing this stop particularly when across the road is something that dunsaughlin , Navan, kells or Cavan havent got I.e a bloody train station !

gazzer · 05-11-2012 12:51pm

Does anybody here get the 7am bus from Cavan that gets to Kildare St at 9.05am (according to the BE timetable)?

I have to be in Baggot St for 9.15am on Wednesday and I was just wonder if the bus times on the timetable are in any way accurate?

Thanks

shannon82 · 05-11-2012 1:19pm

gazzer wrote: »

Does anybody here get the 7am bus from Cavan that gets to Kildare St at 9.05am (according to the BE timetable)?

I have to be in Baggot St for 9.15am on Wednesday and I was just wonder if the bus times on the timetable are in any way accurate?

Thanks

I get this occasionally and i only get in to work 4 915&imless then 5mins from oconnell street

Commuter109 · 09-11-2012 7:31pm

No room on the 530 express again for all who wish to use it. Same is happening with the 705 express in the mornings quite frequently. BE to be commended for introducing a second 720 express in the mornings but I don't appreciate the logic of a need for 3 express buses needed to get people into work but only express home.

At least when the 30 was serving Navan and dunslaughlin etc it was a second option re a quicker journey home but now peaks hours there is only one option which is now understandably filling up all to quickly in the evening.

I'm no logistics expert but do BE need to carve up the 109 route, are they trying to do too much on one route with big centres of population and no train service ? I have heard a stat before that the 109 route is the busiest service in the country not sure if this is true or otherwise but with in excess of 60 buses a day surely there is a more efficient timetable and better service in there waiting to get out!

sofireland · 12-11-2012 6:27pm

Yeah the loss of the 6 to swanlinbar is a little inconvenient but we will have to manage as they obviously dont listen to feedback

LXFlyer · 12-11-2012 7:26pm

It's nothing to do with feedback - that service was not subsidised. The 109 is.

If you want more services you need to lobby the NTA. I've said this over and over again.

They dictate service levels and routes in subsidised services.

Commuter109 · 12-11-2012 9:43pm

LXFLYER

you might clarify, does being subsidised equate to being a loss making route?

Tks

Bus Eireann routes 109/109A Changes

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