Has Dublin Bikes taken much city center business from Dublin Bus and Taxis?

Run_to_da_hills

A few years ago I wouldn't have thought twice of getting a taxi from Pearse St or Tara St Station to Caple St Bridge. Now I just grab a bike at the depots not too far from these stations.

Apart from the exercise it can be a lot quicker than getting a cab or bus particularly when there is a traffic build up along the quays. I wonder since the introduction of this service has it had an impact on inner city taxi and bus numbers particularly for the younger population.

schemingbohemia

I'd say it must have had some impact but it would be impossible to quantify with all the other changes since the bikes came in
- reduction in employment and numbers in the city centre
- increase in taxi numbers

I would occasionally have taken a bus whereas sometimes i'll take a bike now, would rarely have taken a taxi. In any event I have an annual bus/rail pass so financially it won't have made any odds to Dublin Bus.

AlekSmart

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

A few years ago I wouldn't have thought twice of getting a taxi from Pearse St or Tara St Station to Caple St Bridge.

AI wonder since the introduction of this service has it had an impact on inner city taxi and bus numbers particularly for the younger population.

Interesting question.

From my observations I would certainly say the Taxi fraternity have taken (another) hit,the Bus service somewhat less so.

In fact I see some useage of Bicycle/Bus combination in tandem (;)) with Rambler/Travel90 tickets.

Now if (and its a BIG if) Dublin Bus/Dublin Bikes were to get their marketing heads together perhaps some mutual accomodation could be reached.....:D

If twere up to me I'd bulldoze many of the NEW ! IMPROVED ! and UNOFFICIAL ! Taxi Ranks from the City Centre and replace them with Dublin Bike Racks...that'd soften a few coughs I reckon....:P

hardCopy

In my case it's only ever taken business away from my cobbler.

I just use the bikes for routes I would previously have walked, now I get to work a few minutes earlier or get away with leaving the house later.

michelledoh

I don't know if Dublin bikes are taking money from Taxi and bus Drivers but i'd say it's causing them a lot of stress! I was on Dame St today and the amount of close calls i saw in the 5 minutes i was waiting to cross the road. The poor drivers will have to be treated for shock!

AlekSmart

michelledoh wrote: »

I don't know if Dublin bikes are taking money from Taxi and bus Drivers but i'd say it's causing them a lot of stress! I was on Dame St today and the amount of close calls i saw in the 5 minutes i was waiting to cross the road. The poor drivers will have to be treated for shock!

A good point Michelledoh,there is no doubt but DublinBikes has ...erm..."introduced" a new group of freedom loving folk to the undoubted joy's of urban cycling.

You do,however,have a point regarding the increased level of awareness required anywhere close to a DublinBike stand....:)

Alun

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

A few years ago I wouldn't have thought twice of getting a taxi from Pearse St or Tara St Station to Caple St Bridge. Now I just grab a bike at the depots not too far from these stations.

Apart from the exercise it can be a lot quicker than getting a cab or bus particularly when there is a traffic build up along the quays. I wonder since the introduction of this service has it had an impact on inner city taxi and bus numbers particularly for the younger population.

According to Google, Tara to Capel St. Bridge is less than 1km. You could walk that in the time you're fiddling about with the bikes surely, and as for taking a taxi for that distance :eek:

bk

michelledoh wrote: »

I don't know if Dublin bikes are taking money from Taxi and bus Drivers but i'd say it's causing them a lot of stress! I was on Dame St today and the amount of close calls i saw in the 5 minutes i was waiting to cross the road. The poor drivers will have to be treated for shock!

And that is a good thing, the city center of a European capital is no place for lots of cars. It should be a place for pedestrians and cyclists first.

michelledoh

AlekSmart wrote: »

A good point Michelledoh,there is no doubt but DublinBikes has ...erm..."introduced" a new group of freedom loving folk to the undoubted joy's of urban cycling.

You do,however,have a point regarding the increased level of awareness required anywhere close to a DublinBike stand....:)

Increased awareness! Most definatly... even walking! Some people are dangerous on bikes but it could be worse... those people could be driving cars

BK made a brilliant point that there should be less cars in the city center and i totally agree! Even if there were more cycle lanes it would be somewhat safer!

Run_to_da_hills

Alun wrote: »

According to Google, Tara to Capel St. Bridge is less than 1km. You could walk that in the time you're fiddling about with the bikes surely, and as for taking a taxi for that distance :eek:

Its a fair distance if you had a few on you all ready.