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How do Dublin bus justify a 30 cent increase on a fare

  • 03-01-2012 8:48am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭colly10


    Normally pay 1.85 in the morning, that's just gone to 2.15. I though maybe the driver was confused at it will be 1.90 tomorrow but just checked the website and he was correct.
    How can you justify 60 cent a day for 2 journeys in a recession?

    Edit: I just see that it's 1.95 if I use their new leap card, so even if I go with their new initiate it still costs more


«13

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,683 ✭✭✭Kensington


    Because who else are you going to go to for a bus?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,474 ✭✭✭Crazy Horse 6


    Because this is Ireland and people will just pay.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    they can justify it by saying they asked for nearly twice that and were only allowed raise it by that much :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,033 ✭✭✭thebullkf


    because they are a loss making company on routes no one else would contemplate using... so Kudos to them for that, sure hasn't everthing gone up... except house prices..!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,030 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    It's monopolistic state socialism.

    They don't have to justify shit.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭ScouseMouse


    They are not justifying it.

    The subsidies for Dublin Bus and being chopped and loss making routes are pulling them down.

    They tried cutting and reducing routes with limited success so now the prices are going up. They wanted a lot more than 30c but they have no control over this. They were allowed a 30c increase.

    They are now taking their instructions from the NTA.

    The new leap card you mention is cheaper but its a carrot and stick approach, prices went up but you can minimise the increase by getting a leap card.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    They cut bus routes very successfully where I am, maybe I can pay the old prices.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,371 ✭✭✭Fuinseog


    colly10 wrote: »
    Normally pay 1.85 in the morning, that's just gone to 2.15. I though maybe the driver was confused at it will be 1.90 tomorrow but just checked the website and he was correct.
    How can you justify 60 cent a day for 2 journeys in a recession?

    Edit: I just see that it's 1.95 if I use their new leap card, so even if I go with their new initiate it still costs more

    Dublin Bus is Gods way of telling you you should walk, cycle or drive.
    the fare has gone up, but the service is till as inefficient as ever.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭ScouseMouse


    Where I am there is a bus stop. I regularly see buses whizz past empty and not stopping as there is no one at the bus stop.

    They tried to cut the frequency here and there was a public meeting and petitions, the works.

    Still half the buses leave empty.

    You cannot have it both ways - USE EM OR LOSE EM.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭30Min


    I hate Dublin Bus. I avoid using it as much as possible.


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  • Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Mason Tasteless Tweed


    petrol's gone up too


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,283 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    colly10 wrote: »
    Normally pay 1.85 in the morning, that's just gone to 2.15. I though maybe the driver was confused at it will be 1.90 tomorrow but just checked the website and he was correct.
    How can you justify 60 cent a day for 2 journeys in a recession?

    Edit: I just see that it's 1.95 if I use their new leap card, so even if I go with their new initiate it still costs more

    Or you can get a Travel 90 10 Journey ticket for EUR 19 at any Dublin Bus ticket agent and pay EUR 1.90 per journey (including transfers started within 90 minutes of you boarding your first bus).

    The large increase in cash fares is mainly to force people out of paying with cash and to use the LEAP card. The same thing happened when Oyster was introduced in London.

    People are going to have to become smarter in their payment methods for using public transport.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    the cost of cycling hasn't ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    bluewolf wrote: »
    petrol's gone up too
    Busses use Diesel. :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭D'Peoples Voice


    Busses use Diesel. :p

    and some of them on biodiesel
    Dublin Bus is due to begin using biofuels in some of its vehicles today in an effort to reduce its dependence on imported oil.

    The company is planning to use a percentage of environmentally-friendly biodiesel in its tour bus fleet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,283 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    Busses use Diesel. :p

    and some of them on biodiesel
    Dublin Bus is due to begin using biofuels in some of its vehicles today in an effort to reduce its dependence on imported oil.

    The company is planning to use a percentage of environmentally-friendly biodiesel in its tour bus fleet.

    The government cancelled the fuel rebate on diesel last year and the impact is now hitting DB as the currency hedges they had in place had expired. This is a huge impact on costs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    lxflyer wrote: »
    The large increase in cash fares is mainly to force people out of paying with cash and to use the LEAP card.
    The increases are a money making exercise. A significant number of users will still use cash, and DB know it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    colly10 wrote: »
    Normally pay 1.85 in the morning, that's just gone to 2.15. I though maybe the driver was confused at it will be 1.90 tomorrow but just checked the website and he was correct.
    How can you justify 60 cent a day for 2 journeys in a recession?

    Edit: I just see that it's 1.95 if I use their new leap card, so even if I go with their new initiate it still costs more

    Actually Colly,it went up on Sunday.....Most of my cash-paying regulars have hi-tailed it off to a shop after their initial brush with the new fares.

    This is now the first time that passengers have been asked to prioritize their Payment options and it's a new experience for them,however,as Collie10's experience shows..there's nothing like being asked to pay extra for something that the next person gets cheaper to motivate you !!

    One positive aspect of it all will be the sudden realization that it's possible to travel VERY cheaply indeed on Dublin Bus IF you do your sums...

    For example Collie10 could feasibly make those two daily journeys for c. €1.62 each if a 30 Day Rambler was used,and that's asuming ONLY two journeys per day....Now thats bargain basement :D

    Londoners,for example also had a fare rise for 2012 with the flat cash-fare now hitting stg£2.30 (€2.74) and the Oyster fare £1.30 (€1.55) per journey.

    Those who don't,or won't,do the small bit of pre-planning now necessary will just have to be content with paying a premium for that.


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,790 ✭✭✭AngryLips


    It still amazes me the number of people who pay cash fares above the per-journey cost of a Travel90 ticket the whole time this ticket option has been available...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    n97 mini wrote: »
    The increases are a money making exercise. A significant number of users will still use cash, and DB know it.

    Of course it's a money making exercise n97 mini,what else can it be...unless the Driver is going to dish out cash to the passengers ?

    With budgeted fuel costs alone increasing by 20% in 2012 and no sign of a Middle Eastern benefactor to provide it free of charge,then options are limited.

    However,based upon my experiences this morning,that "significant" number of cash users will dwindle very rapidly indeed.

    My barometer tends to be the silent ordinary everyday punter who never speaks but just puts the money in and walks on.....these people today were using Leap...That is a HUGE shift for a certain type of person,but surprisingly to me,they are doing just that.

    Amazing as it may seem to many,the vast majority of my daily passengers have no issues with their service,generally they get bthe same bus each day to and from work or to and from the shops etc....day in,day out they bid me good day and pass on by....they rarely complain,but if they do I do my best to sort their woe's on the spot.

    Often they will leave a choccy bar or sweet and usually give a smile or a nod as they leave.....perhaps they all rush home to the PC and suddenly transmogrify into drooling Busdriver hating phsychopaths,but I doubt it....nope..by and large they just get on with life and continue being the backbone of the country as they just keep on keepin on...well done you people sez I :)


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 47 Baron de Robeck


    AngryLips wrote: »
    It still amazes me the number of people who pay cash fares above the per-journey cost of a Travel90 ticket the whole time this ticket option has been available...

    I put this down to general laziness. Its the same as those who part with a fiver to get a takeaway sandwich at lunchtime instead of making one up at home which would cost less than a quid!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    Of course it's a money making exercise n97 mini,what else can it be...unless the Driver is going to dish out cash to the passengers ?

    With budgeted fuel costs alone increasing by 20% in 2012 and no sign of a Middle Eastern benefactor to provide it free of charge,then options are limited.
    It's more to do with the reduction in subvention from the taxpayer.

    I have no problem with the service user paying more towards the cost of providing the service, provided the service is run as efficiently as possible and no cost reductions can be gained from further efficiencies.

    Is DB run as efficiently as is humanly possible?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,330 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    I put this down to general laziness. Its the same as those who part with a fiver to get a takeaway sandwich at lunchtime instead of making one up at home which would cost less than a quid!

    That a bit of a rubbish analogy. You're paying extra for convenience, freshness etc etc. Its a different product

    Going by your analogy, you'd suggest people walked rather than getting the bus

    As it is, I think the leap card will offer the kind of flexibility/cost awarenss that most people need, something that buying a pack of ten travel 90s didn't always do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,161 ✭✭✭frag420


    Out of pure curiousity and I am not condoning such asction but what is there to stop me saying 1.65 or similar for a 2.30 journey? I have never ever seen an inspector get on the bus and check the reciepts or ask where anyone boarded the bus?

    My usual morning treck has gone up from 2.30 to 2.65. If tomorrow morning I say 1.90 or 2.15 would there be anyone there to challenge me? I know it would be a dick-ish thing to do but again people are strapped for cash in a recession so it would not surprise me if people do this.

    Just wondering.....

    frAg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,283 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    n97 mini wrote: »
    The increases are a money making exercise. A significant number of users will still use cash, and DB know it.

    Well if they do, frankly it is their own luck out. There are two viable cheaper alternatives available (LEAP and Travel 90), and if the greater public do not avail of them it's their luck out.

    Sometimes you have to force people into changing their habits. When Oyster was launched the differential in fares was similarly great if not larger. Now no one pays by cash in London. In fact you cannot board a bus in London city centre and pay cash. You have to have a ticket beforehand.

    As Alek says fuel costs have gone up and the Government policy is that the subsidy must go down, therefore shoving the burden onto the customer. Maybe you can magic the cash out of thin air?

    I note that some of the private operators are also increasing fares.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    n97 mini wrote: »
    It's more to do with the reduction in subvention from the taxpayer.

    I have no problem with the service user paying more towards the cost of providing the service, provided the service is run as efficiently as possible and no cost reductions can be gained from further efficiencies.

    Is DB run as efficiently as is humanly possible?

    To attemptb the last bit first,I would suggest the answer is a qualified Yes.

    But that's only my own biased opinion which I would'nt expect you to accept.

    However,former Transport Minister Noel Dempsey had reservations on the exact same issue,and having this report commissioned in order to prove the extent of his suspicions...

    http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/11393-0.pdf

    Surprisingly enough,Mr Dempsey got far less evidence of such gross inefficiencies than he had,so publicly,expected.

    As it stands Dublin has one of the lowest general Public Transport subsidy levels in developed Europe,so the Farebox has to be raided to a higher degree...However with the creeping introduction of local taxation and the return of domestic rates perhaps we will then be able to get the Public Transport system we can afford ?


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,283 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    frag420 wrote: »
    Out of pure curiousity and I am not condoning such asction but what is there to stop me saying 1.65 or similar for a 2.30 journey? I have never ever seen an inspector get on the bus and check the reciepts or ask where anyone boarded the bus?

    My usual morning treck has gone up from 2.30 to 2.65. If tomorrow morning I say 1.90 or 2.15 would there be anyone there to challenge me? I know it would be a dick-ish thing to do but again people are strapped for cash in a recession so it would not surprise me if people do this.

    Just wondering.....

    frAg

    You are taking a risk - I had two ticket checks during December - they are out there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 47 Baron de Robeck


    Dodge wrote: »
    That a bit of a rubbish analogy. You're paying extra for convenience, freshness etc etc. Its a different product

    Going by your analogy, you'd suggest people walked rather than getting the bus

    As it is, I think the leap card will offer the kind of flexibility/cost awarenss that most people need, something that buying a pack of ten travel 90s didn't always do.

    I'm not getting into a debate about sandwiches but if people want to spend part of their lunch break dashing around for an overpriced sandwich then I have no objection!

    As for walking rather than getting the bus you are missing my point, all it takes is a little effort to equip ones self with the appropriate commuter ticket or Leap card. Those who can't be bothered to put in a little effort to do this is in my books down to general laziness, they would rather pay more than actually get themselves organised.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭saa


    Money making exercise? well yeah they would be taking more money in but I can't imagine they're in profit, I would gladly have all bus services be every 30 minutes except for routes that actually fill buses.

    I take the bus everywhere but every 15 minutes or every 30 doesnt make too much of a difference compared to paying more.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    frag420 wrote: »
    Out of pure curiousity and I am not condoning such asction but what is there to stop me saying 1.65 or similar for a 2.30 journey? I have never ever seen an inspector get on the bus and check the reciepts or ask where anyone boarded the bus?

    My usual morning treck has gone up from 2.30 to 2.65. If tomorrow morning I say 1.90 or 2.15 would there be anyone there to challenge me? I know it would be a dick-ish thing to do but again people are strapped for cash in a recession so it would not surprise me if people do this.

    Just wondering.....

    frAg

    I had an annual ticket for three years and never once met an inspector.
    The 78A, where inspectors feared to tread ;)

    Though some evenings I'd sit and people watch and there were more people with passes then cash/pre-pay.
    And when I say pass it's often a battered piece of cardboard. So not a lot of cash fares to inspect realy

    Drivers watch though, I took the 77 once, and when stopped the driver got me to pay the extra if I wanted to continue. Wasn't scamming, I just didn't work out the stages and wasn't familiar with the area


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,330 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    As for walking rather than getting the bus you are missing my point, all it takes is a little effort to equip ones self with the appropriate commuter ticket or Leap card. Those who can't be bothered to put in a little effort to do this is in my books down to general laziness, they would rather pay more than actually get themselves organised.

    I didn't argue agaisnt that.

    Buying a sandwich and getting one made is a different product, and priced accordingly.

    Going from A to B on Dublin Bus and paying a higher price than is neccessary is, of course, the same product...

    And as I said earlier, for SOME customers, the cash fares work out best. If you only take 2/3 buses a year, then the cash fare is your best option. Bulk buying travel 90s is useless, and paying for a leap card doesn't make sense.

    Of course, the majority of people who complain about bus prices are regular users, so they have little comeback there...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭claire983


    frag420 wrote: »
    Out of pure curiousity and I am not condoning such asction but what is there to stop me saying 1.65 or similar for a 2.30 journey? I have never ever seen an inspector get on the bus and check the reciepts or ask where anyone boarded the bus?

    My usual morning treck has gone up from 2.30 to 2.65. If tomorrow morning I say 1.90 or 2.15 would there be anyone there to challenge me? I know it would be a dick-ish thing to do but again people are strapped for cash in a recession so it would not surprise me if people do this.

    Just wondering.....

    frAg
    I'v known drivers to ask ppl to leave because they did not pay the correct fare, its not just inspectors.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,161 ✭✭✭frag420


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    Wasn't scamming, I just didn't work out the stages and wasn't familiar with the area

    Thanks for that, il use that if I get caught ha ha :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 204 ✭✭RichieD


    All the more reason to stuff the change machine with all 5's and 10's so they have no clue how much you put in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,283 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    RichieD wrote: »
    All the more reason to stuff the change machine with all 5's and 10's so they have no clue how much you put in.

    Or you could be honest like the vast majority of people out there.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭Niles


    I was initially surprised to see the fares rise so significantly, but thinking about it I'd agree that it's a good way to get people to use the Leap Card - I only use DB once a week but I'll easily earn back the €5 the card costs over the course of a few months. Once you have such a card the increases aren't that bad, for instance the €1.65 fare going up to €1.70 is quite reasonable really.
    the cost of cycling hasn't ;)

    Gotta love the 'oul bike, no road tax, no fuel cost, if only the weather protection was a bit better it would be perfect!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭D'Peoples Voice


    Is there a Smartphone app that i can download
    that will quickly tell me how many stages i will be travelling, so i know what to pay when i get on the bus!

    For example, my journey on a wet day (i cycle on dry days) is from Morehampton Road Junction Bloomfield Avenue, Stop 777, and to Fleet Street Junction Westmoreland Street Stop 5192.
    Now, when at home the previous night, i can go to http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Route-Planner/Route-Planner-Map/?planchoice=0 and count those little blue pin heads that indicate bus stops, but if I'm at the bus stop, and decide I want to stay on for another few stops, is there a quick way of working it out.(yeah i know, you're thinking its not rocket science to memorise the number of stages in my usual journey and then add on the additional stops, but if I don't know the number of stops between Westmoreland Street and Parnell Street because i'm not used to that part of the journey, how do i know how many stages between Morehampton Road Junction Bloomfield Avenue and Parnell Street? Would everyone ask the driver? I would think that i would check the timetable at the bus stop but not every bus stop has a timetable(or at least not one readable after it was vandalised).

    Its difficult enough trying to work out the correct City Centre Fare!
    http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/City-Centre/
    City Centre Fare
    To mark the introduction of the College Green Bus Corridor from the 27th of July, Dublin Bus will offer a new 50c City Centre Fare. This fare will apply all day, 7 days a week on all routes* within a special City Centre Zone as indicated on the diagram below.

    http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Fare-Information/
    City Centre Fare
    To mark the introduction of the College Green Bus Corridor from the 27th of July, Dublin Bus will offer a new 60c City Centre Fare. This fare will apply all day, 7 days a week on all routes* within a special City Centre Zone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    Is there a Smartphone app that i can download
    that will quickly tell me how many stages i will be travelling, so i know what to pay when i get on the bus!

    For example, my journey on a wet day (i cycle on dry days) is from Morehampton Road Junction Bloomfield Avenue, Stop 777, and to Fleet Street Junction Westmoreland Street Stop 5192.
    Now, when at home the previous night, i can go to http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Route-Planner/Route-Planner-Map/?planchoice=0 and count those little blue pin heads that indicate bus stops, but if I'm at the bus stop, and decide I want to stay on for another few stops, is there a quick way of working it out.(yeah i know, you're thinking its not rocket science to memorise the number of stages in my usual journey and then add on the additional stops, but if I don't know the number of stops between Westmoreland Street and Parnell Street because i'm not used to that part of the journey, how do i know how many stages between Morehampton Road Junction Bloomfield Avenue and Parnell Street? Would everyone ask the driver? I would think that i would check the timetable at the bus stop but not every bus stop has a timetable(or at least not one readable after it was vandalised).

    Its difficult enough trying to work out the correct City Centre Fare!
    http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/City-Centre/


    http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Fare-Information/

    At this stage ( ;) ) it's gettin beyond a joke.

    I am blue and yellow in the face trying to find a manager with enough interest to address these two simple issues which together conspire to cause arguement and frustration for Busdrivers and Passengers alike (NB: No manager has ever been worried by these items)

    At it's simplest,Dublin Bus has by a series of clever strategic omissions ensured that....
    A) It's Drivers are often uncertain of the exact location of a stage (Note a stage is an EXACT point,that's why it's not called a ZONE)
    B) It's customers are largely equally uncertain of the Fare Stage location relevant to their journey.

    C).The same issues apply to the City Centre Fare ZONE....The company up to now fail to erect a "Start of City Centre Fare Zone" plate on the relevant Stop.

    For example the CCF Zone begins on St Stephens Green NORTH ( Which lies between stage 73 and 74),however the Ticket Machine's had to be tweaked to allow a CCF to be issued from 73,which led Drivers to assume it was a valid fare from Stage 73 (Leeson St/Pembroke St) it's NOT.

    Equally the CCF ends on Parnell Square WEST (Between Stage 75 and 76) but the Bus Shelter on Dorset St (Synnot Place) has TWO "End of City Fare Zone" Plates affixed to it...which allows many people to opportunistically make a journey from Pembroke St to Gardiner St (Now €1.90) for 50c...Is it any wonder the company is concerned about it's finances.....:rolleyes:

    The exact same situation exists on the Rock Road corridor,where the CCF Zone begins at Clare Street (outside the shop formerly known as Greens Bookshop),however plates have been erroneously placed at stops on Mount Street,leading to Mount St to Mountjoy Square journeys (€1.90) being made for 60c....Incredible stuff !!

    Easy,simple and rapid fix,which I would gladly do for FREE in my own time given the go-ahead...Reaffix Stage Markings to ALL relevant Stops and affix a "Start of City Fare Zone" Plate to the relevant stops....this would,at a stroke,solve the problems which D'Peoples Voice and D'People in general have to endure.....Instead we appear to be awaiting a report from an InterDepartmental Task-Force before risking any such mould breaking stuff !!!


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,423 ✭✭✭V_Moth


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    At this stage ( ;) ) it's gettin beyond a joke.

    I am blue and yellow in the face trying to find a manager with enough interest to address these two simple issues which together conspire to cause arguement and frustration for Busdrivers and Passengers alike (NB: No manager has ever been worried by these items)

    At it's simplest,Dublin Bus has by a series of clever strategic omissions ensured that....
    A) It's Drivers are often uncertain of the exact location of a stage (Note a stage is an EXACT point,that's why it's not called a ZONE)
    B) It's customers are largely equally uncertain of the Fare Stage location relevant to their journey.

    C).The same issues apply to the City Centre Fare ZONE....The company up to now fail to erect a "Start of City Centre Fare Zone" plate on the relevant Stop.

    For example the CCF Zone begins on St Stephens Green NORTH ( Which lies between stage 73 and 74),however the Ticket Machine's had to be tweaked to allow a CCF to be issued from 73,which led Drivers to assume it was a valid fare from Stage 73 (Leeson St/Pembroke St) it's NOT.

    Equally the CCF ends on Parnell Square WEST (Between Stage 75 and 76) but the Bus Shelter on Dorset St (Synnot Place) has TWO "End of City Fare Zone" Plates affixed to it...which allows many people to opportunistically make a journey from Pembroke St to Gardiner St (Now €1.90) for 50c...Is it any wonder the company is concerned about it's finances.....:rolleyes:

    The exact same situation exists on the Rock Road corridor,where the CCF Zone begins at Clare Street (outside the shop formerly known as Greens Bookshop),however plates have been erroneously placed at stops on Mount Street,leading to Mount St to Mountjoy Square journeys (€1.90) being made for 60c....Incredible stuff !!

    Easy,simple and rapid fix,which I would gladly do for FREE in my own time given the go-ahead...Reaffix Stage Markings to ALL relevant Stops and affix a "Start of City Fare Zone" Plate to the relevant stops....this would,at a stroke,solve the problems which D'Peoples Voice and D'People in general have to endure.....Instead we appear to be awaiting a report from an InterDepartmental Task-Force before risking any such mould breaking stuff !!!

    Wow. Talk about rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I wish for once those responsible would start to think (Impossible I know in Ireland) about putting together a proper public transport system rather than announcing fare increases every year for a shiite service. IT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

    Merge Luas, Dart and Dublin Bus into one company, call it something like Dublin Transport or DubTrans. Put together a zonal ticketing system like every other developed country uses. Also get rid of Bus Eireann and use that money to fund a proper rail network combined with local authority run bus services (to local destinations).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    Seems as if we are'nt the only ones havin a bit of Public Transport jiggery-pokery either....from the Land of the Free n' Home of the Brave...

    http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/01/01/expiring-charliecards-causing-confusion-and-frustration/aCFuYJF2erbu5072enGKFI/story.html?s_campaign=8315

    The Charlie Card...I love it......there's just gotta be an Irish-American story behind that....I mean we have our own one of those since the late 1960's :D

    But I supose the best answer to this threads title can be found in the small reference to the expected rise in Boston's Fares....
    State (Massachusetts) tunveils potential MBTA fare increases, service cuts

    Under one scenario proposed by the state, fares would increase by 43 percent, while under another, they would increase by 35 percent.

    So there ye have it......:eek:


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,548 Mod ✭✭✭✭Amirani


    I've started a boycott, 100% cycling rather than my previous combination of cycling and bus. I've no problem with high cash fares to encourage use of the LEAP card but the system is a sham. The lack of a flat fare and the generally high fares render it rather useless.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,635 ✭✭✭dublinman1990


    They are not justifying it.

    The subsidies for Dublin Bus and being chopped and loss making routes are pulling them down.

    They tried cutting and reducing routes with limited success so now the prices are going up. They wanted a lot more than 30c but they have no control over this. They were allowed a 30c increase.

    They are now taking their instructions from the NTA.

    The new leap card you mention is cheaper but its a carrot and stick approach, prices went up but you can minimise the increase by getting a leap card.

    I got on DART ticket today in Blackrock going from there to Dun Laoghaire, and it cost me 20c cheaper to actually get on the 7 bus. The saving won't last that long because the DART/Commuter fares are going up tomorrow. However, their fares are only increasing by 10 cent, So, it is still cheaper to use the DART then the bus by paying CASH Fares.

    I am still going to the leap card though beacuse I do not have the option to travel around on buses within 90 minutes using Travel 90's. The leap card is still attractive for me because I still can use the small savings on DART & Luas whenever I can get on them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    AlekSmart wrote: »
    At this stage ( ;) ) it's gettin beyond a joke.


    C).The same issues apply to the City Centre Fare ZONE....The company up to now fail to erect a "Start of City Centre Fare Zone" plate on the relevant Stop.

    For example the CCF Zone begins on St Stephens Green NORTH ( Which lies between stage 73 and 74),however the Ticket Machine's had to be tweaked to allow a CCF to be issued from 73,which led Drivers to assume it was a valid fare from Stage 73 (Leeson St/Pembroke St) it's NOT.

    Equally the CCF ends on Parnell Square WEST (Between Stage 75 and 76)!
    I thought I'd heard it all,
    Why oh why would the stage boundaries and "zone boundaries" not be aligned.

    Regarding the fare increases, it might be asked why the newly disintegrated ticketing system has fare increases? is that to encourage use too??


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,096 ✭✭✭✭the groutch


    frag420 wrote: »
    Out of pure curiousity and I am not condoning such asction but what is there to stop me saying 1.65 or similar for a 2.30 journey? I have never ever seen an inspector get on the bus and check the reciepts or ask where anyone boarded the bus?

    My usual morning treck has gone up from 2.30 to 2.65. If tomorrow morning I say 1.90 or 2.15 would there be anyone there to challenge me? I know it would be a dick-ish thing to do but again people are strapped for cash in a recession so it would not surprise me if people do this.

    Just wondering.....

    frAg

    there lies your problem, you're paying €2.30 cash per journey when you could be paying €1.90 per journey or €3.67 per day with the right prepaid ticket, without having to chance your arm and risk getting caught by inspectors.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,815 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    The reason for the fare increases is that

    (1) customers are deserting Dublin Bus in droves - numbers are back at 2001, pre-boom levels

    (2) Dublin Bus has extremely high operating costs per vehicle kilometer. The cost is at least double the typical rate in Scotland. It appears to be one of the highest operating costs (and perhaps the highest operating cost) per vehicle-kilometre in the world.

    The removal of the diesel duty rebate happened years ago, in 2008.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 103 ✭✭Conor J


    I wish Dublin bus would sort out a few things before they considered increasing the fares. They are a shambolic service, and now we source of our frustration has just got more expensive!

    1. I get the 145 quite often, rarely would a single bus arrive. Instead we are greeted by 2x145's or even 3, plus a 45 or an 84. So split the buses up so that only one arrives at a bus stop at a given time. Have 5mins or so between each bus, so we don't miss 3 in a row then wait a half hour for the next!
    2. Do almost all buses have to go in the direction of the city?
    3. Can't we have a 3 day bus ticket? Some of us work shift and purchasing for 5 or 7 days just isn't suitable.
    4. Why oh why are we constantly kicked off a bus and told to get on another?
    5. Punctuality could definitely be improved.
    6. Today the bus driver parked at a bus stop for 15mins 3/4 way through the journey as he had to wait for the next driver to arrive. His excuse: "with no school kids, we got here too early!" (could this not be anticipated in advance? Is this the first day the kids were not at school?...no)
    7. Buses tear out of the traps, Every day i see old people thrown into their seats by reckless drivers. The city isn't a go kart track!
    8. Is Dublin Bus prudent enough to purchase huge quantities of fuel cheaply in advance like Ryanair? or do they pay as they go? Do Dublin Bus buy the fuel? or CIE? CIE should bear this responsibility, as they could command lower prices.
    9. Even though the buses rarely run on time, a huge number of timetables are out of date, often by a few years
    10. How much money do they spend on replacing glass on bus shelters? I know its not their fault they are broken, that's the fault of stupid idiots. However, would it not be prudent to use a tough plastic partition instead?


    So sort out the above, and i'd be satisfied to pay whats needed to keep the bus service operational. But right now, it's in many ways a farce!


    #Rant over


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 1,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Michael Collins


    lxflyer wrote: »
    Or you can get a Travel 90 10 Journey ticket for EUR 19 at any Dublin Bus ticket agent and pay EUR 1.90 per journey (including transfers started within 90 minutes of you boarding your first bus)...

    Will the Travel 90 card not increase in price too, though? From memory, the Travel 90 card (and other cards) have increased in accordance with the cash fares, just lagging behind by a few months.
    AngryLips wrote: »
    It still amazes me the number of people who pay cash fares above the per-journey cost of a Travel90 ticket the whole time this ticket option has been available...

    Well up until now it was not good value for a lot of people. I would have paid €1.85 into town on the old fares, the Travel 90 was €19 for ten journeys, i.e. €1.90 per journey* - that's actually 5c dearer than cash! A lot of people would have been on the €1.65 fare too...Dublin Bus were not encoraging migration from cash fares very much with that one exactly. (*Yes, if you got two buses within 90mins, go over 13 stages, or got an Xpresso bus etc. it would be cheaper, but I'd guess this is not most people - I am, of course, open to correction on this if anyone has the fare stats.)
    AlekSmart wrote: »
    ...Easy,simple and rapid fix,which I would gladly do for FREE in my own time given the go-ahead...Reaffix Stage Markings to ALL relevant Stops and affix a "Start of City Fare Zone" Plate to the relevant stops....this would,at a stroke,solve the problems which D'Peoples Voice and D'People in general have to endure.....Instead we appear to be awaiting a report from an InterDepartmental Task-Force before risking any such mould breaking stuff !!!

    I'd help you!
    ...
    (2) Dublin Bus has extremely high operating costs per vehicle kilometer. The cost is at least double the typical rate in Scotland. It appears to be one of the highest operating costs (and perhaps the highest operating cost) per vehicle-kilometre in the world...

    Any idea why this is?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13 nfs


    2.65 a journey for me now, devastating


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 1,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Michael Collins


    ...Its difficult enough trying to work out the correct City Centre Fare!

    Interestingly, if you use a Leap Card, the city Centre Fare remains at 50c, but it is 60c using cash. How does this work, and how do the other 'stages' work, considering you don't tag/touch-off?
    From leapcard.ie...
    When travelling on a bus, there is no requirement to Touch-Off.

    It seems there's no way for the system to tell you've alighted the bus before the next chargeable stage? Or can you touch-off if you choose?

    EDIT: Ah, you have to give the card to the driver! Then state where you're going...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 329 ✭✭samina


    If the fare was cheaper wouldn't more people use the buses. For myself, the partner and the kids return to town it's 13 euro. And that a short run. We can park for 2 euro an hour


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