[PR] Bus Éireann - Announcement of new Luxury Double Decker Couches

Victor

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/news_centre/press_centre.asp?action=view&news_id=586

Announcement of new Luxury Double Decker Couches

A smoother ride is en route for long distance commuters with the announcement by Bus Éireann of order for luxury double deck coaches

High capacity and high comfort coaches to enter service for the first time in 2008, as commuting distances hit record levels

31st October 2007

More commuters than ever are rising before dawn to travel distances of up to 100 kms into Dublin each day.

Bus Éireann says the distances people are commuting in and out of the capital have never been greater, with customers travelling daily to Dublin from places as far away as Virginia, Newry, Athlone and Gorey.

The company says it is this growing phenomenon of ‘long distances commuting’ that has prompted it to introduce a new type of vehicle geared specifically for weary commuters - the luxury double deck coach.

With funding provided under Transport 21, Bus Éireann has placed an order for 32 such double deck coaches. When they are introduced in 2008, they will be the first of their kind to operate in Ireland on scheduled services.

Double deck coaches are rarely if ever seen in Ireland and are typically associated with touring. A hybrid vehicle, they are designed to combine the carrying capacity of a double deck bus with the comfort and smoother ride associated with a coach. This makes them ideal for use on busy commuter routes.

Bus Éireann Public Relations Manager Erica Roseingrave said: “Because they are high capacity, double deck coaches are ideal for use on busy commuter routes, especially at peak times. Plus, because they offer comfortable seating and interiors, they mean a smoother ride over the longer distances people are increasingly commuting.”

Bus Éireann has placed an order with Dutch coach manufacturer VDL for 32 VDL Berkhof Axial 100 Double-Deck Coaches. Delivery is scheduled to commence on a phased basis from spring 2008.

The majority of the new coaches will be allocated to the Eastern region for use on the the Navan-Dublin route. The introduction of the new vehicles will coincide with a new high frequency ‘city style service’ on the route – a 15 minute all day frequency from 05.20until 23.00, as well the roll-out of upgraded customer facilities such as enhanced bus stops and shelters.

Approximately 8 of the new double deck coaches will also enter service in Cork (routes to be decided).

- Specification - : High Comfort and High Capacity, Accessible and Energy Efficient

The coaches are fully wheelchair accessible by means of a ramp. They are also energy efficient and bio fuel compatible. They come fitted with larger than standard luxury leather seats with a recline option and have more leg room and more extras such as individual overhead air vents and reading lights.

In addition, the cabin is air conditioned with tinted double glazing to further enhance passenger comfort, noise levels are lower than on a bus and additional security for the driver and passenger is provided by an 11-camera CCTV system.

Erica Roseingrave added: “We are seeing very large volumes of people commuting incredibly long distances into Dublin now, from places that would not traditionally have been considered part of the commuter belt. Over longer distances, people like more comfort and our new double deck coaches are specially designed for a more relaxing journey.”

Long distance commuting is the norm in the UK where people travel even greater distances to and from London on a daily basis. There, particularly in areas not served by rail, bus companies have successfully introduced such double deck coaches to and from areas such as Kent.

Further information on the VDL Berkhof Axial 100 Double-Deck Coach

Technical Characteristics:

Length: 13m

Height: 4m

Width: 2.55m

3 axles

Engine:

12.9 litres, 462 hp

Euro 4 low emissions rating

Capability to run on 5% biofuel without modification

Passenger Capacity:

The Axial 100 is capable of carrying up to 78 passengers.

Issued by:

Media and Public Relations, Bus Éireann

1huge1

Looks like Cork and Limerick city are both still left without double decker buses despite buses always being packed.

RadioCity

And speed limit of 65km/h...

Just a thought, but they're only a few centimetres longer than the Ulsterbus Ayats Double Deckers the capacity of which is 71, the upstairs being slightly claustrophobic, sadly lacking in legroom with 55 seats. The downstairs accomodates quite a large wheelchair area.

Im guessing Bus Éireann won't go for the 78 seat example. About 70 seats would probably make the interior layout more appealing particularly for wheelchair users.

The rationale behind the double deckers could be made clearer. Its made out to be more of a novelty rather than the aspect of all intending passengers being accomodated which could have been made clearer. But of course BÉ always makes sure all passengers are collected, don't they?

Chris_533976

Did ye read the article

Approximately 8 of the new double deck coaches will also enter service in Cork (routes to be decided).

E92

When people said we in Cork were getting double decker buses, I didn't realise they meant this!

If these are for long distances thats all well and good, but what about city services in Cork. Most of the city routes are packed to the rafters sometimes even during the day(and always after when the schools finish). I recently had to get the number 8 out to UCC at 11 in the morning, and the bus had to leave people behind because it was so full!

daniel3982

They have amazing double deckers linking Burnley with Manchester in the UK called the Witch Way buses, look them up on google, Im no bus spotter but theyre gorgeous, they have leather seats and air con and run a frequent commuter timetable, if these are anything like them, then great.

RadioCity

I have yet to see a DD on the 101 carry a full load to Drogheda. Maybe they could be put to better use in Cork?

Victor

RadioCity wrote: »

And speed limit of 65km/h...

Isn't that for 'conventional' double deckers with standees?

Someone find the rules!

Poxyshamrock

Double Decker Couches...sounds interesting!
Will these couches be on the new double decker coaches?

RadioCity

I don't think they ever differentiated between a coach decker and a "service bus" decker.

So far in Ireland, deckers have been intended for shorter or local services, like all of Dublin Bus, Cork P&R and the 103 to Ashbourne. Coaches were to be a test case.

As far as I'm aware the limit was due to be brought into line with single deck coaches, but not sure if the change was made official.

Carawaystick

I thought there was a clarification recently ( in the last two months or so) stating than busses would have the 65kmh limit while coaches would have the 80 kmh limit.
Ardcavan in Wexford had one of these yonks ago.

corktina

just to emphasise the difference between buses for city work and coaches for long distance work...

..i think the city bus issue is for another thread really....(anyway more single deck vehicles would be a better altenative in my view although more expensive.Loading and unloading high capacity double deckers has a time penalty....)

Chris_533976

The Cork P&R Double Deckers are quite good, even though the stairs are a bit cramped.

Of course the Council make a great effort to cut the trees overhanging the bus lanes - the number of times I've seen P&R buses with smashed top front windows due to impacts with big branches is surprising.

TirEoghain

Chris_533976 wrote: »

The Cork P&R Double Deckers are quite good, even though the stairs are a bit cramped.

Of course the Council make a great effort to cut the trees overhanging the bus lanes - the number of times I've seen P&R buses with smashed top front windows due to impacts with big branches is surprising.

I could never understand why double deckers in Ireland were never fitted with tree deflectors at the front of the top deck, like they do everywhere else.

I see Dublin bus have now started to have them fitted on the new deckers though, on the EV class. They are fitted on both sides too, so the offside is protected too on one way streets.

trellheim

I lived in Limerick 1978-1986 and there were always double-deckers... [ Bombardier in later years ] .. Are there none there now ?

Poxyshamrock

trellheim wrote: »

I lived in Limerick 1978-1986 and there were always double-deckers... [ Bombardier in later years ] .. Are there none there now ?

Nope. They were removed in the mid 90's! I don't remember much now but I remember going to see Babe in the Savoy and getting a double decker. That woulda been about 1995?

1huge1

Chris_533976 wrote: »

Did ye read the article

Sorry mate went right over my head

antoinolachtnai

So will these coaches have a 65 limit or an 80 limit?

RadioCity

There is no reason why they shouldnt have a 100km/h limit as they will likely appear on cross border routes. Anything less would be very disappointing from a passenger point of view.

When will they realise the 65km/h speed limit makes double decker buses a nuisance on the open road? :mad:

dermo88

I've been on buses overseas that manage 120kph, and the standards of service leave anything that Bus Eireann offer in the toilet. Frankly speaking, the day that this wasteful piece of **** socialist employment scheme is privatised and the wasters in it are cast on to the scrapheap of Irish transport history, the better.

Just take a look at what they are capable of in the "Third World"

www.aeroline.com.my

Wishbone Ash

RadioCity wrote: »

And speed limit of 65km/h...

Victor wrote: »

Isn't that for 'conventional' double deckers with standees?

Someone find the rules!

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

So will these coaches have a 65 limit or an 80 limit?

The speed limit for a single deck bus/coach is 80kph.

The speed limit for a single deck bus/coach with standing passengers is 65kph.

The speed limit for a double deck bus/coach is 65kph.

Unless they change the rules these coaches will be legally imited to 65kph.

(I've often wondered if BE coaches have the required speed limiters fitted. I'm occasionally overtaken by BE coaches which appear to be doing 90 or 100kph! :eek:)

John R

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The speed limit for a single deck bus/coach is 80kph.

The speed limit for a single deck bus/coach with standing passengers is 65kph.

The speed limit for a double deck bus/coach is 65kph.

Unless they change the rules these coaches will be legally imited to 65kph.

(I've often wondered if BE coaches have the required speed limiters fitted. I'm occasionally overtaken by BE coaches which appear to be doing 90 or 100kph! :eek:)

Speed limiters are set to EU regulations regardless of national speed limits. For coaches the correct setting is 100kph.

This is also the case in the UK where the limiters are also set at 100kph even though the UK limit for them on motorways is 70MPH/112kph.