Bus drivers do you want our thanks?!

TonythePony

I have stopped saying thank-you when I get off the bus because of the string of passengers saying monotone thankyous to bus drivers. I feel like the public in general feel like they have to say thanks regardless of whether they are thankfull. When someone said thank-you to a bus driver today the bus driver just said "yea" in response. No wonder, probably sick of the semi artificial best-wishes by this stage.

Any bus drivers out there? Would you like us to just shut the hell up and get off the bus?

MrJoeSoap

Meh, one word isn't going to kill me. Its only common courtesy.

Hail 2 Da Chimp

I usually say it if they're on time, more often than not, they are not on time...

Rhyme

Usually make a point of saying "thank you" in as sincere a tone as i can manage. I do mean it, it's just hard to say it with conviction sometimes after a days work.

Courtesy.

Ruu_Old

I always say"'thank you and have a good day" and look at the driver as I hop off. I've seen drivers get a hard time from ignorant customers (normally the other way around) so I hope it would make a tiny bit of difference. Same as someone opening a door, handing you your change or whatever else.

Buzz Buzz

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Meh, one word isn't going to kill me. Its only common courtesy.

Agreed!

Mossy Monk

I say thank you to everyone who did something for me.

JavaBear

Mossy Monk wrote: »

I say thank you to everyone who did something for me.

Same

iguana

I always think it is one of the nicest things about Ireland. Everyone on the bus, including the driver, looks at you as if you have two heads if you thank the bus driver in London. (On the rare buses that you can exit at the top.)

FunkZ

I always would say thanks and have a good day to the driver that brings me to college and normally thanks to most other drivers as well.

Naos

"Thanks and have a good day" brigade.

Overheal

I'm american; we say Have a Nice Day. it throws them completely off.

Cunny-Funt

iguana wrote: »

I always think it is one of the nicest things about Ireland. Everyone on the bus, including the driver, looks at you as if you have two heads if you thank the bus driver in London. (On the rare buses that you can exit at the top.)

Yeah that's something I've always thought and wondered if its common in other nations. I guess not.

I tend to say "Cheers " as enthusiastically as I can.

PeakOutput

i say cheers instead of thanks to break some of their monotony:rolleyes:

i dont think iv been in another country were they thanks their bus drivers like we do i do like how it is done here though and dont see a reason to stop

pickarooney

I usually lob an old 'au revoir' driverwards unless I've asked him to stop specifically for me in which case it's a full-on 'merci'.

Terry

It's nice to be nice.

Wishbone Ash

It doesn't particularly bother me either way.

I often greet passengers on non-city routes and many of them look at me as if I've three heads.

Weidii

If they're a sound driver who still manages to be nice after all the crap that drivers get, then I'll shoot them a thanks - just cause I actually appreciate 'em making the effort to be friendly.

jahalpin

I always make sure that I thank the bus driver when I get off the bus

I remember one time when I was in L.A.. When we were getting off the bus, myself and my friend thanked the bus driver and he genuinely shocked and happy. He was so shocked that at first he thought we had said something bad to him, but when we repeated it to him he was very happy. Bus drivers etc aren't regarded very highly in the U.S. and so are usually treated very badly by the general public, a little civility goes a long way.

Tha Gopher

jahalpin wrote: »

. Bus drivers etc aren't regarded very highly in the U.S. and so are usually treated very badly by the general public, .

Like taxi drivers.

Well, by the boards.ie general public anyway.

Malteaser!

I would normally say thanks to the bus driver when I'm getting off but if they're rude to me or other people getting on I don't bother!!

Collie D

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Meh, one word isn't going to kill me. Its only common courtesy.

+1 I've gotten to the stage in work that if I don't get a please or thanks when somebody asks me to do something I take my time with it. Same goes for somebody demanding something ASAP or using one too many exclamation marks.

Please and thank you cost nothing. Common courtesy doesn't kill

GhostInTheRuins

I nearly always say thanks to the bus driver. If on the other hand he's a grumpy aul bastard that just grunts at you, I'd tend not to bother.

dewsbury

Hail 2 Da Chimp wrote: »

I usually say it if they're on time, more often than not, they are not on time...

Is the above logical?

The driver has little control over whether his bus is on time. He does not control the traffic volumes.

Mint Sauce

iguana wrote: »

I always think it is one of the nicest things about Ireland. Everyone on the bus, including the driver, looks at you as if you have two heads if you thank the bus driver in London. (On the rare buses that you can exit at the top.)

done that a few times in london, they just dont know how to respond, as if their not expecting it



as for the drivers in ireland, yeah would thank them more times than not, its only a bit of comman cortesy

RuggieBear

tbh very few people thank the drivers on the buses i travel on. I make a point of looking at them and thanking them. I get greeted in the morning by one of the drivers on the bus i regularly catch which is cool.

Dave!

I always say please when saying my fare.... eg. "1.70 please"
Then thanks when I get my ticket
Then when I'm getting off the bus I look at them and say thanks/cheers

Rb

dewsbury wrote: »

The driver has little control over whether his bus is on time. He does not control the traffic volumes.

Indeed, but there's plenty who'll sit at the terminus reading the paper or chatting to the other drivers there and not give a fook what time it is. Wander down to UCD some day and you'll see them at it, having a laugh amongst themselves or sitting in the drivers seat having a read of the paper whilst there's people standing literally metres away from them waiting for their now delayed bus.

I'm not saying all drivers are like this, they certainly aren't, but laziness is definitely a problem here. In any other country I've been to, regardless of the traffic the bus has been on time.

BKtje

Most other countries have better dedicated bus lanes (or well, more of them).

Just cos a driver is sitting there reading his paper doesnt mean that he's being lazy. It could be that he isn't due to depart yet or that he's still on his break after arriving in late due to traffic. They are entitled to a break of the correct length ya know.

Dave!

rb_ie wrote: »

In any other country I've been to, regardless of the traffic the bus has been on time.

How is that possible? Do they have hover-buses in other countries?! Bus drivers, like all drivers, are at the mercy of the traffic. I see them waiting around too, checking their watches to see if it's time to leave yet; if they leave early then they could get to your bus stop before you, and then people would complain still! Ya can't win. All they can do is leave at the appropriate time and hope that there's no delays along the way.

Rb

B-K-DzR wrote: »

Most other countries have better dedicated bus lanes (or well, more of them).

Just cos a driver is sitting there reading his paper doesnt mean that he's being lazy. It could be that he isn't due to depart yet or that he's still on his break after arriving in late due to traffic. They are entitled to a break of the correct length ya know.

If I'm waiting at the bus stop for a bus that is supposed to be leaving at 9:20, and I look up the road at 9:27 and see the driver sitting there reading the paper or chatting to his mates, am I supposed to be happy?

I experienced this loads of times last year, is this good service?No, not it isn't. It's horrendous. Similarily, if you went to a cinema to see a film that was supposed to start at 9:30, nothing comes on whatsoever and it's 9:45 and you wander out and see the staff/guy who's meant to be manning the projector having a laugh with his mates, is this acceptable?No, no it's not. They're providing a service, if they state on their signs or timetables that something is to start at a certain time IT SHOULD RUN AT THAT TIME.

I could give a fck if they got in late to work and therefore are running their break late, that's their problem and it shouldn't be passed on to the customer.

Rb

DaveMcG wrote: »

How is that possible? Do they have hover-buses in other countries?! Bus drivers, like all drivers, are at the mercy of the traffic. I see them waiting around too, checking their watches to see if it's time to leave yet; if they leave early then they could get to your bus stop before you, and then people would complain still! Ya can't win. All they can do is leave at the appropriate time and hope that there's no delays along the way.

For a start, more realistic time tables. The problem is a lot aren't leaving at the appropriate time.

buckfast4me

When getting off I always say a quick "Thank you very much for the wonderful bus journey you have provided me with on this fine evening. Everything was top notch, plenty of seats, good driving - traffic was a little busy but I suppose that is not your fault mr driver. Have a very nice day anyway and I will see you the next time I decide to embark on a glorious bus journey. Goodbye and God bless".

pebbles21

buckfast4me wrote: »

When getting off I always say a quick "Thank you very much for the wonderful bus journey you have provided me with on this fine evening. Everything was top notch, plenty of seats, good driving - traffic was a little busy but I suppose that is not your fault mr driver. Have a very nice day anyway and I will see you the next time I decide to embark on a glorious bus journey. Goodbye and God bless".

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Dudess

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Meh, one word isn't going to kill me. Its only common courtesy.

Normally I'd agree, but it would be insincere of me to say thank you to some of the utter pigs I've encountered on Dublin buses. I'm sorry, but the vast majority of those driving any bus I took when I lived in Dublin were absolutely obnoxious and I'm damned if I'm gonna say "thanks" to them for doing their job - which they obviously hate and they decide to take this out on passengers. I'm always pleasant when I get on, but as soon as the driver makes it clear that he's a rude prick, then I'm not gonna bother being pleasant any more. I won't be rude either but I certainly won't be friendly. But of course, on the occasions when a bus driver is somewhat pleasant, then I certainly would say thanks.

iguana wrote: »

I always think it is one of the nicest things about Ireland. Everyone on the bus, including the driver, looks at you as if you have two heads if you thank the bus driver in London.

I kinda feel that way about Dublin tbh. I'm not on an anti-Dublin rant here by the way as I love the place, but the bus service is not good in general, and one of the aspects of this is rude drivers.

rb_ie wrote: »

Indeed, but there's plenty who'll sit at the terminus reading the paper or chatting to the other drivers there and not give a fook what time it is. Wander down to UCD some day and you'll see them at it, having a laugh amongst themselves or sitting in the drivers seat having a read of the paper whilst there's people standing literally metres away from them waiting for their now delayed bus.

I'm not saying all drivers are like this, they certainly aren't, but laziness is definitely a problem here. In any other country I've been to, regardless of the traffic the bus has been on time.

rb_ie wrote: »

If I'm waiting at the bus stop for a bus that is supposed to be leaving at 9:20, and I look up the road at 9:27 and see the driver sitting there reading the paper or chatting to his mates, am I supposed to be happy?

I experienced this loads of times last year, is this good service?No, not it isn't. It's horrendous. Similarily, if you went to a cinema to see a film that was supposed to start at 9:30, nothing comes on whatsoever and it's 9:45 and you wander out and see the staff/guy who's meant to be manning the projector having a laugh with his mates, is this acceptable?No, no it's not. They're providing a service, if they state on their signs or timetables that something is to start at a certain time IT SHOULD RUN AT THAT TIME.

I could give a fck if they got in late to work and therefore are running their break late, that's their problem and it shouldn't be passed on to the customer.

rb_ie wrote: »

For a start, more realistic time tables. The problem is a lot aren't leaving at the appropriate time.

Yep. Agree wholeheartedly. Never have I seen so many Out of Service buses as I have on the Ballymun Road alone. An occasional one, fair enough, but a whole string of them? And considering the amount of bus routes Dublin Bus provides, the irregularity is just baffling. Take Phibsborough alone. A small enough suburb, yet with several routes - the 4, 19, 19A, 13, 40-something A/B/C/D, 83, 10, 120, 121, yet why does it feel like you're spending your life just hanging around at bus stops if you live in Phibsborough?

Pherekydes

The last time I was on a bus he drove past my stop.

No, I didn't thank him.

Ste.phen

Surely the Ballymun road Out Of Services are because of the Harristown depot; buses going to/from town to start/finish duties?

John R

rb_ie wrote: »

If I'm waiting at the bus stop for a bus that is supposed to be leaving at 9:20, and I look up the road at 9:27 and see the driver sitting there reading the paper or chatting to his mates, am I supposed to be happy?


I experienced this loads of times last year, is this good service?No, not it isn't. It's horrendous. Similarily, if you went to a cinema to see a film that was supposed to start at 9:30, nothing comes on whatsoever and it's 9:45 and you wander out and see the staff/guy who's meant to be manning the projector having a laugh with his mates, is this acceptable?No, no it's not. They're providing a service, if they state on their signs or timetables that something is to start at a certain time IT SHOULD RUN AT THAT TIME.

You are assuming that the driver sitting there is supposed to be the 9.20 departure when it is entirely possible his scheduled time is 9.30 and he is simply waiting for his correct departure time.

rb_ie wrote: »

I could give a fck if they got in late to work and therefore are running their break late, that's their problem and it shouldn't be passed on to the customer.

It has nothing to do with the driver getting into work late, it is down to the driving time regulations. If a driver arrives at a break point late and carries on driving without taking the minimum required time before continuing driving he would be breaking the law and could easily be prosecuted for it as a result of a random check or in the case of an accident it was found out.

But I suppose you expect the drivers to break the law and risk their jobs just so as you are not a few minutes late.

Dudess

In fairness, I have waited a lot more than "a few minutes" for some buses - and not even during peak traffic times. I've waited 45 minutes more than once. One such specific occasion was on a Saturday evening around 8.00. Hardly rush hour. Another time was a Friday afternoon. I was starting work at 4pm and I was waiting for the 19A on Ballymun Road from 2.40. The 19A stops on Camden Street yet I barely made work on Harcourt Street. That's a fukking joke.
Plus, why should the passenger accept being "a few minutes late"? Why should the passenger accept being late at all? If a bus is scheduled to be somewhere at a certain time, why is it too much to expect it to be on time?
Look, this isn't intended as an anti Dublin Bus rant. I appreciate it's a tough job, no doubt about it. And a lot of the problems are entirely out of the drivers' hands, but if you're a driver, look at it from the perspective of the passenger - wouldn't the stuff we're talking about piss you off too?

Igy wrote: »

Surely the Ballymun road Out Of Services are because of the Harristown depot; buses going to/from town to start/finish duties?

Oh fair enough. I initially presumed it was something like that too, but my brother who's a solicitor and versed in employment law insists they just take breaks when they feel like it and will defend themselves by pointing out it's in accordance with union rules. He can be quite persuasive can my brother!

Earthhorse

Weidii wrote: »

If they're a sound driver who still manages to be nice after all the crap that drivers get, then I'll shoot them

Harsh.

Dyr

Dudess wrote: »

In fairness, I have waited a lot more than "a few minutes" for some buses - and not even during peak traffic times. I've waited 45 minutes more than once. One such specific occasion was on a Saturday evening around 8.00. Hardly rush hour. Another time was a Friday afternoon. I was starting work at 4pm and I was waiting for the 19A on Ballymun Road from 2.40. The 19A stops on Camden Street yet I

Most of the out of service ones you see on the ballymun route are probably No. 4/A's , the drivers seem to have come up with a novel solution to their recent strike by taking the pay increase and then running the most of the busses that were added on the route as out of service expresses. I see them zipping past me in ballsbridge all the time

Red Alert

Road safety rules also mandate breaks. If the driver had an accident and hadn't been obeying all procedures then he could be personally liable and possibly open to prosecution. Why should he give up that to go earlier than he should?

Dyr

road safety rules would probably suggest that bus drivers shouldnt break red lights, try turning in the wrong lane or block pedestrian traffic lights but that doesnt stop them now does it?

"can't do dat luv, its agin de ruyils, (unless it suits me)"

Donald-Duck

Bambi wrote: »

road safety rules would probably suggest that bus drivers shouldnt break red lights, try turning in the wrong lane or block pedestrian traffic lights but that doesnt stop them now does it?

"can't do dat luv, its agin de ruyils, (unless it suits me)"

Only bus drivers and taxi drivers do that...oh wait

Xhristy

This post has been deleted.

hshortt

There are a number of drivers that I see on a regular basis and they are sound. I'll say thanks / cheerio as a matter of courtesy, especially as I'm normally getting off the bus alone.

There are few real characters that in my opinion raise the spirits of people getting on, one guy from Bray is always smiling, enjoying the company of passengers, occasionally singing away. You know the type. Great people making the best of their jobs, fair play to them.

There's the odd one who'll be narky, but saying thanks to them makes me smile more!

Cheerio

**Timbuk2**

I always say thanks to bus drivers. I always wonder does it make them feel a bit better!

Actually I do it all the time I would feel kinda cold if I didn't say anything!!

gurramok

It's free to be nice, they have a stressful job!

As a motorist, i as well my other half always let a bus out in front of us as a matter of courtesy because they have such stressful sh1tty jobs and are doing a public service with the horrendous traffic in Dublin.
Guess i'm just a bus drivers favourite motorist when they put their hazards on as a thank you when i let them out in front of me while the beeps are deafening from the ignorant selfish drivers behind me.
It's not their fault the bus is late, too many motorists on the roads is the problem.

Wishbone Ash

rb_ie wrote: »

if you went to a cinema to see a film that was supposed to start at 9:30, nothing comes on whatsoever and it's 9:45 and you wander out and see the staff/guy who's meant to be manning the projector having a laugh with his mates, is this acceptable?No, no it's not.

That is a totally stupid and ridiculous comparison to make. A cinema operative is not mandated to take the same breaks as a driver of a public service vehicle. I can't believe someone could be so stupid as to make this comparison. It's times like this that we really need a huge "roll eyes" icon.

PurpleFistMixer

I always say please and thank you when I'm getting a ticket (makes them quicker to give me a child fare : p ), and I say thanks when getting off... I've only had a driver be particularly rude to me once, they tend to say very little at all, and sure isn't human interaction a nice thing sometimes...

I live beside the 4A terminus so I've got the wonderful privilege of being able to approximate when the bus will be there (That is, by the timetables). Unfortunately it's happened before that I'm standing at my stop (the second stop on its route), I see the bus coming down from the terminus, just as it comes round the corner it goes Out of Service and continues on its merry way, leaving me waiting for the ever so reliable 45. There was (I hope) some good explanation for this, but it's still somewhat irritating when one's standing in the cold having watched the bus sitting there for ten minutes before even departing.
I've had terrible experiences with the 17 also, involving waiting an hour and a quarter for one... but sure traffic is so bad, I didn't blame the driver. Sure, the guy driving the bus, he's the one that turned up at all...

greatdeeds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O0hfnOAbjw&feature=related