Bus Eireann routes 109/109A Changes

chewed

Commuter109 wrote: »

Simply not good enough and getting worse. Biggest farce of the week today, no 7.05, no 7.20. Everybody forced to use the one slow coach that turned up. Mayhem. People that were there at 7.00 for the 7.05 ended up getting to O' Connell Street at circa 8.40.

No explanation, no apology, you couldn't make it up.

Did you ask the driver what happened to the previous services? I assume there were breakdowns. Although I thought most of the 109 fleet was upgraded!

tom23

chewed wrote: »

Did you ask the driver what happened to the previous services? I assume there were breakdowns. Although I thought most of the 109 fleet was upgraded!

On Tuesday driver explained a bus wasn't allocated which explained the fiasco can only surmise that's a administration / communications breakdown. Regardless I have seen so many friends switch their taxsaver tickets over to Sillan Tours. Am seriously contemplating if I can change my work hours to accommodate their timetable. Pity. Folks just want a reasonable bus service, I appreciate bus eireann is in the ****s but this sort of no shows is killing its reliability

Commuter109

chewed wrote: »

Did you ask the driver what happened to the previous services? I assume there were breakdowns. Although I thought most of the 109 fleet was upgraded!

I simply asked what the issue was this week, driver just apologised and said " "The whole thing is a mess" whatever that means!

I believe they put one of the private coaches on as a 7.05 this morning, so at least there was a service for the first time this week I think

horseburger

I think that passengers would be able to give far more insight than local TDs, in giving feedback, about services, to Bus Eireann and the NTA.

Very often, local TDs are not familiar with the bus services, and changes to the services, because many of them don't use the services on a daily basis. But yet, when there is a positive announcement, they often take credit for any welcome changes to bus services.

Passengers, in my view, who have much more experience of the service, can write far stronger submissions, and observations about services, in any correspondence they write, or feedback they may give, to Bus Eireann and the NTA.

In January 2016, Regina Doherty, TD, Fine Gael, issued a press statement about changes to the Bus Eireann 105 route, saying how terrible it is, that in the proposed changes to the 105 route, that the 105 route would no longer serve Kentstown and Duleek. It had been proposed, by Bus Eireann, that the 105 route would be altered, to serve Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, rather than go to Dublin City Centre.

https://reginadoherty.blogspot.ie/2016/01/doherty-calls-for-reversal-of-proposed.html

http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2016/01/21/4113068-td-calls-on-bus-eireann-to-reverse-route-changes/

At that time, Kentstown and Duleek were not served by the 105 route. At the time she issued that statement on 15th January 2016, Kentstown was being served by the 107, and Duleek on the 103.

Changes were made, in April 2016, to the 103 and 105 routes, but in January 2016, when Regina Doherty issued that statement, neither Duleek or Kentstown were covered on the 105 route. She got it completely arseways, and showed that she wasn't even familiar with the Bus Eireann services that cover her own local area.

She said in that written statement on 15th January 2016 that:

"Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has called on Bus Eireann to reverse proposed changes to Route 105 which will see the new terminus at Connolly Hospital and will no longer bring commuters from Duleek, Kentstown, Ashbourne, and Ratoath to the city centre".

What she said would be like commenting on changes to the 109 route by saying how awful it is that the 109 will no longer serve Oldcastle!:)

Here is a post I did last year to include an attachment of the old and new 103 and 105 timetables, to compare them. They indicate that Regina Doherty didn't know what she was talking about when she had thought that in January 2016 that the 105 route had at that stage served Kentstown and Duleek.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=99201918&postcount=23

Conway635

Horseburger, you are absolutely correct re Regina.

I recall being amused (but not surprised) at the time by her abject lack of knowledge on something she was prepared to publicly complain about.

C635

horseburger

Conway635 wrote: »

Horseburger, you are absolutely correct re Regina.

I recall being amused (but not surprised) at the time by her abject lack of knowledge on something she was prepared to publicly complain about.

C635

Indeed, and all the more noticeable because the 105 service that she mentioned, is one of the services, that cover her local area.

I would have thought, that since she had previously been an elected member of Meath County Council, that she'd at least have been familiar with the routes covered, on Bus Eireann services, in her constituency, if she was going to criticise Bus Eireann and the NTA.

Unfortunately, many of our elected public representatives, TDs and County Councillors, who have issued statements about changes to bus services, over the years, are not really familiar with the services. That's why I think bus users can prepare much better and stronger submissions, and observations, to Bus Eireann and the NTA, as well as submissions and observations to other bus companies, about services they operate.

Regina Doherty issued another press release on 26th April 2016, after the details of the changes to the bus routes were announced in April 2016, in which she suggests, that Bus Eireann had, for a period of time, not been listening to the concerns of commuters regarding proposed route changes.

What struck me about that comment, was that she must not have paid much attention to the concerns of commuters, considering she issued the earlier statement in January 2016, making a comment, indicating that she didn't know, that the 105, did not, at that stage, cover Kentstown and Duleek.

http://reginadoherty.blogspot.ie/2016/04/bus-eireann-finally-listening-to.html

http://reginadoherty.blogspot.ie/2016/01/doherty-calls-for-reversal-of-proposed.html

gazzer

Going slightly off topic but I was wondering if all the 109's have the facility to recognise a Leap Card? Its not something I have noticed before as I only occasionally travel from Cavan to Dublin. However over the next couple of months I am going to be travelling to Dublin 2 or 3 times a week.

I see that Cavan is one of the Zones covered by the Leap Card and the fare seems to be 20% cheaper? I just dont want to get on the bus to find out I cant use the card and have to pay the normal fare. Thanks.

Sofiztikated

gazzer wrote: »

Going slightly off topic but I was wondering if all the 109's have the facility to recognise a Leap Card? Its not something I have noticed before as I only occasionally travel from Cavan to Dublin. However over the next couple of months I am going to be travelling to Dublin 2 or 3 times a week.

I see that Cavan is one of the Zones covered by the Leap Card and the fare seems to be 20% cheaper? I just dont want to get on the bus to find out I cant use the card and have to pay the normal fare. Thanks.

I got the 109 yesterday, and there was a sign on the side of the bus with Leap on it.

No idea if it works or not, but if it's anything like the plugs or air con, then no.

gazzer

Sofiztikated wrote: »

I got the 109 yesterday, and there was a sign on the side of the bus with Leap on it.

No idea if it works or not, but if it's anything like the plugs or air con, then no.

Cheers for the reply. Yeah the plug never works for me either though if I just use the usb cable to charge my phone THAT works

LXFlyer

gazzer wrote: »

Going slightly off topic but I was wondering if all the 109's have the facility to recognise a Leap Card? Its not something I have noticed before as I only occasionally travel from Cavan to Dublin. However over the next couple of months I am going to be travelling to Dublin 2 or 3 times a week.

I see that Cavan is one of the Zones covered by the Leap Card and the fare seems to be 20% cheaper? I just dont want to get on the bus to find out I cant use the card and have to pay the normal fare. Thanks.

LEAP is valid on the 109 to Cavan.

Conway635

I commute on the 109 every day, and LEAP works on 99% of BE vehicles.

If the bus cannot accept LEAP you travel for free. This often happens with private hire in coaches.

Weekly Orange Zone (includes Cavan) is €72.50

C635

munchkin_utd

Conway635 wrote: »

Weekly Orange Zone (includes Cavan) is €72.50
C635

is that a bus eireann only product, or can you hop on a bus or luas in Dublin, seeing as the world does not end at Busaras and you might need to get somewhere else in the city ?

ailbheg

munchkin_utd wrote: »

is that a bus eireann only product, or can you hop on a bus or luas in Dublin, seeing as the world does not end at Busaras and you might need to get somewhere else in the city ?

Bus Eireann only.

LXFlyer

You would need to use the epurse for journeys in/around Dublin.

tom23

So we are on page 109 of the 109 discussion. Karma. So 07:05 bus arrives at 07:05. radio blaring going to be a long hour. But not worry I'm switching over to sillan soon. Goodbye 109 hello sillan.

gazzer

Conway635 wrote: »

I commute on the 109 every day, and LEAP works on 99% of BE vehicles.

If the bus cannot accept LEAP you travel for free. This often happens with private hire in coaches.

Weekly Orange Zone (includes Cavan) is €72.50

C635

So from looking at the Leap Card section for Bus Eireann I ask for a 24 hour return to Dublin when I get on the bus? I am getting the bus at 6pm tomorrow and travelling back at 3.30 on Sunday. The 24 Hour orange return ticket is €21.50. This will save me a fair bit of money as I am using the bus to go to Dublin at least once a week. Finally got my Leap Card in the post so will be using it for the first time tomorrow.

ailbheg

gazzer wrote: »

So from looking at the Leap Card section for Bus Eireann I ask for a 24 hour return to Dublin when I get on the bus? I am getting the bus at 6pm tomorrow and travelling back at 3.30 on Sunday. The 24 Hour orange return ticket is €21.50. This will save me a fair bit of money as I am using the bus to go to Dublin at least once a week. Finally got my Leap Card in the post so will be using it for the first time tomorrow.

Yep, ask for a 24 hour ticket, and specify orange zone.

gazzer

So I got to Virginia at 7.15 this evening to be in plenty of time to get either the 30 or 109 to Dublin. As usual the bus was delayed. The 30 came at 7.35. I get on and put my card on the reader and ask for my ticket. The driver tells me that the reader isn't working and that I will have to get the 109 that is a couple of minutes behind.

109 comes and I get on. Repeat the process with my card only for the driver to tell me that she doesn't know how to use the machine to register a Leap fare. On the bright side I got on for free.

LXFlyer

For info LEAP will only work on the 109 from Cavan or Virginia.

It's not valid on the 30 as it's an expressway service. It only works on BE PSO services.

gazzer

lxflyer wrote: »

For info LEAP will only work on the 109 from Cavan or Virginia.

It's not valid on the 30 as it's an expressway service. It only works on BE PSO services.

Thanks for that info. Good to know. Bit odd the driver of the 109 didn't know how to process a Leap fare. Maybe they don't get training in it

horseburger

A discussion on public transport and commuting, that was on The Last Word with Matt Cooper on Today FM on Wednesday 12th July 2017.

Guests included Maria Devereux Producer of the Dermot and Dave Show on Today FM, Barry Aldworth of AA Ireland, Mark Leeson of Rail Users Ireland, Professor James Wickham, author of Gridlock - Dublin's Transport Crisis and the future of the city, and Anne Graham Chief Executive of The National Transport Authority.

https://www.todayfm.com/The-Last-Word-with-Matt-Cooper/podcasts/74408/Stretched%3A-The-Cost-Of-Getting-To-Work

https://www.todayfm.com/The-Last-Word-with-Matt-Cooper/listen-back/5678/Wednesday_12_July_2017_16:30_19:00

https://www.tasc.ie/publications/gridlock-dublins-transport-crisis-and-the-future-o/
http://www.omahonys.ie/v2/gridlock-dublins-transport-crisis-and-the-future-of-the-city-p-66023.html
https://www.tcd.ie/research/profiles/?profile=jwickham
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/
http://www.railusers.ie/
http://www.theaa.ie/

gazzer

I noticed on the Dublin Road (coming out of Cavan town) today that new Bus signs have been put up. They are advertising the local link bus services but the same stops are also used for the 109. Funny enough the 109 X is also listed. I cant see anything on the Bus Eireann site about the 109 X starting into service but maybe (hopefully) it is iminent.

Commuter109

The main thread on this seems to be closed? But anyway here is the formal announcement

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2378&month=Sep

LXFlyer

See thread here that I started earlier this morning:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057783367

malene

LXFlyer wrote: »

For info LEAP will only work on the 109 from Cavan or Virginia.

It's not valid on the 30 as it's an expressway service. It only works on BE PSO services.

You can return on the 30 if you have the receipt from the leap card.

malene

This weekend, 5 x 109a's never showed up after midnight at busaras over 2 days at least. WTF is going on exactly??

horseburger

malene wrote: »

This weekend, 5 x 109a's never showed up after midnight at busaras over 2 days at least. WTF is going on exactly??

Are the cancellations you are referencing, from Friday night 28th October, Saturday morning 29th October, and later on Saturday 29th October?

Six cancellations are listed in one of the press releases, which I think are cancellations on Friday night 28th October, Saturday morning 29th October.

Two cancellations are listed in the other press release, for Sunday 29th October.

I'm wondering, how long in advance of services, does Bus Éireann arrange to have drivers and buses available to operate particular scheduled services?

It is curious as to why these cancellations are being posted on the Bus Éireann website, quite near to the times that the cancelled services, had originally been scheduled to operate.

The first item below is dated Saturday 28th October and is timed as updated at midnight, so, unless I am mistaken, that sounds like it was posted hours before the services that were cancelled, were scheduled to operate, Friday night 28th October/ Saturday morning 29th October.

The second press release is dated Saturday 28th October, updated 9pm, so unless I am wrong, the two services mentioned as being cancelled are the services that had been scheduled to operate a few hours later on Saturday night 28th October / Sunday morning 29th October.

Often, the cancellations, that have been occurring on different bus services over the last five weeks, were posted on the Bus Éireann website, during the day, hours before the particular services, were scheduled to operate.

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2446&month=Oct

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2448&month=Oct

malene

Horseburger, this is interesting,


Please be advised that the following services are cancelled on Sunday 29th October 2017:

109A

00.40 Kells to Dublin Busaras (alternative services at 23.40 and 01.40)

02.25 Dublin Busaras to Kells (alternative services at 01.25 and 03.25)


So 2.25 to Kells was cancelled, thats fine, although no one knew. And it wasn't on twitter either. So where was the 1.25 and 3.25 ? They never showed up. Something gone haywire somewhere.

horseburger

malene wrote: »

Horseburger, this is interesting,


Please be advised that the following services are cancelled on Sunday 29th October 2017:

109A

00.40 Kells to Dublin Busaras (alternative services at 23.40 and 01.40)

02.25 Dublin Busaras to Kells (alternative services at 01.25 and 03.25)


So 2.25 to Kells was cancelled, thats fine, although no one knew. And it wasn't on twitter either. So where was the 1.25 and 3.25 ? They never showed up. Something gone haywire somewhere.

Indeed, it is interesting, malene.

On which night did the 1.25 and 3.25am, not show up?

According to the two press statements, the 2.25am 109A was cancelled on both nights.

I think the two press statements, listing cancellations, referred to Friday night 28th October/Saturday morning 29th October, and Saturday night 29th October/Sunday morning 30th October.

The first statement was timed as being updated at midnight and is dated Saturday 28th October and lists early morning cancellations for Saturday 29th October. The second statement was timed as being updated at 9pm and is dated Saturday 28th October, and then lists the early morning cancellations for Sunday 29th October.

I didn't see any cancellations listed for Sunday night 29th October/ Monday morning 30th October.

For Sunday 29th October/ Monday 30th, the update stated "All services are currently operating to schedule."

http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=364

Later on Monday, there were details of cancellations to the NX service that occurred yesterday, Monday 30th October.

http://www.buseireann.ie/archive_timetable.php?year=2017

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2451&month=Oct

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2452&month=Oct

malene

On friday there was no 1.25 or (as per website, but not twitter, so no one knew, the 2.25)

on Saturday night, there was no 1.25, no 2.25, no 3.25 and no 4.25 (and that 4.25 would re the new 3.25) so still 4 buses never showed. Bus Eireann trying to break records here. A new low. About 50 people were left stranded.