Dublin - Galway bus route

bk

So over the past few months we have been talking a lot about the new Cork to Dublin direct coach route, but we haven't talked about the much more mature and by now well developed Dublin to Galway route.

Well I'm just back from a lovely weekend in Galway and I thought I give a review of the latest developments on this route.

Friday I got GoBus from Dublin to Galway. The coach was a shiny new 2012 Volvo. I would say this coach is good, but not great. Obviously being new it was very clean and sounded solid. Toilet and wifi worked fine. Seats were only partially leather. However leg room wasn't great in the back due to the tiered style of seating. There also seemed to be no room under the seats for a bag. Something I never had a problem with on an Aircoach Jonck.

On the up side there was a back of seat mesh holder and a tray table. Unfortunately the tray table doesn't move forward like they do on an airline, so not much room to balance a laptop on. My 13" Macbook Air just about did.

Today I got CityLink home. The coach was a very shiny 2012 Vanhool. One this is an excellent coach, almost the ultimate intercity coach. It had flat seating, so better leg room in the back then GoBus, not as much as an Aircoach Jonck, but a good compromise. Also plenty of space under the seat for a bag.

Back of seat mesh again and tray table, but smaller then the GoBus one and definitely couldn't fit my laptop on it. However despite having the same spec, everything on the Vanhool just seemed to be of a higher spec and better build quality of the GoBus Volvos. The toilet was very swish and modern, with powerful suction and nice look to it. The coach had LED lighting though out and when I switched on the overhead light it was VERY bright, but all the other seats where very gently lit by low blue leds making it easy to sleep.

Also had a great comfortable, quiet ride. A fantastic coach. Well worth the extra 50c.

This is almost my ideal intercity coach. Just make the seats fully leather, power at every seat and a pull out airline tray table and we are there.

What really impressed me was that I was staying around the corner from the new coach station and must have past it a dozen times and every time I past I took a look and the entire fleet seems to be these new 2012 Volvos and Vanhools, wow. That a single dirty old banger there.

Hopefully as usage on the Cork route grows, we will see the same great level of fleet quality develop here too.

BTW both the GoBus and Citylink coach were fully booked out. In fact the GoBus left 10 minutes early as it had a full load of internet bookings on board.

The other thing is how good the New Coach Station is in Galway. Used by private companies only. It is right smack bang in the center of the city, just two minutes walk from Eyre Square. Big, bright and airy yet a nice warm dry safe place to wait for your coach, fantastic.

Sponge Bob

I recently worked out that for 22+ hours out of 24 there is a bus on the road somewhere between Galway and Dublin and at times as many as 15+

sligotrain

bk wrote: »

So over the past few months we have been talking a lot about the new Cork to Dublin direct coach route, but we haven't talked about the much more mature and by now well developed Dublin to Galway route.

The coach was a shiny new 2012 Volvo. I would say this coach is good, but not great. Obviously being new it was very clean and sounded solid. Toilet and wifi worked fine. On the up side there was a back of seat mesh holder and a tray table.

Today I got CityLink home. The coach was a very shiny 2012 Vanhool. One this is an excellent coach, almost the ultimate intercity coach. It had flat seating, so better leg room in the back then GoBus, not as much as an Aircoach Jonck, but a good compromise. Also plenty of space under the seat for a bag.

everything on the Vanhool just seemed to be of a higher spec and better build quality of the GoBus Volvos. The toilet was very swish and modern, with powerful suction and nice look to it, but all the other seats where very gently lit by low blue leds making it easy to sleep.

A fantastic coach. Well worth the extra 50c.

This is almost my ideal intercity coach.

What really impressed me was that I was staying around the corner from the new coach station and must have past it a dozen times and every time I past I took a look and the entire fleet seems to be these new 2012 Volvos and Vanhools, wow. That a single dirty old banger there.

The other thing is how good the New Coach Station is in Galway. Used by private companies only. It is right smack bang in the center of the city, just two minutes walk from Eyre Square. Big, bright and airy yet a nice warm dry safe place to wait for your coach, fantastic.

What was the trolley service like?

Kumsheen

bk wrote: »

The other thing is how good the New Coach Station is in Galway. Used by private companies only. It is right smack bang in the center of the city, just two minutes walk from Eyre Square. Big, bright and airy yet a nice warm dry safe place to wait for your coach, fantastic.

We just need something like that in Dublin.

yer man!

That bus station was supposed to be much bigger but McNamara went under before it could be complete :-( I have to say though that despite the whole coach galway to dublin thing, I still prefer the train, got it for €20 the last day open return and I really liked it, 2 plugs at every table, nice big table so I could easily get my college assignments done and a nice big bathroom. I was quite impressed. Also it got to dublin in 2.5 hrs, I know that it only goes to Heuston and not the quays like the bus but I really liked how spaced out everything was compared to the bus... I also heard that they're trying to get the service to 2 hours flat.

bk

sligotrain wrote: »

What was the trolley service like?

Well I bought one of the most delicious toasted rolls I've ever eaten (no joking it was really amazing and there was a big queue for them, so obviously popular) for just €4 at the centra across the street from the coach station.

Much, much better then anything I've ever eaten on Irish Rail and cheaper.

yer man! wrote: »

I have to say though that despite the whole coach galway to dublin thing, I still prefer the train, got it for €20 the last day open return and I really liked it, 2 plugs at every table, nice big table so I could easily get my college assignments done and a nice big bathroom. I was quite impressed. Also it got to dublin in 2.5 hrs, I know that it only goes to Heuston and not the quays like the bus but I really liked how spaced out everything was compared to the bus... I also heard that they're trying to get the service to 2 hours flat.

I assume that is a nice cheap student fair, but would you still take the train if it cost between €33 and €40 for an adult ticket?

Also remember that the only reason these "special offer" tickets to Galway on the train are so cheap is because of the competition they face from the coach.

sligotrain

So bk in short, cutting through your rather flowery language (Do you work for Sherry Fitzgerald?) there isn't any catering on the bus.

Don't get me wrong, I am very comfortable with the fact that coach services are busy competing on the popular routes to Dublin - it ensures that Irish Rail have to raise their game, especially in journey times.

Dublin - Galway certainly deserves longer passing places, if not doubling between Portarlington and Galway to allow for more traffic, and obviously if the line is doubled the opportunity is also there for engineering the track to a higher speed.

foggy_lad

sligotrain wrote: »

So bk in short, cutting through your rather flowery language (Do you work for Sherry Fitzgerald?) there isn't any catering on the bus.

Don't get me wrong, I am very comfortable with the fact that coach services are busy competing on the popular routes to Dublin - it ensures that Irish Rail have to raise their game, especially in journey times.

Dublin - Galway certainly deserves longer passing places, if not doubling between Portarlington and Galway to allow for more traffic, and obviously if the line is doubled the opportunity is also there for engineering the track to a higher speed.

There is no real catering on the train either unless you consider a grossly overpriced paper cup of tea and a packet of crisps and ecoli sandwich catering. Also doubling the track to Galway would make that line at least a proper intercity line capable of decent times but I fear it will only happen if the WRC is lifted and the rail used for Portarlington to Galway.

bk

sligotrain wrote: »

So bk in short, cutting through your rather flowery language (Do you work for Sherry Fitzgerald?) there isn't any catering on the bus.

Honestly, Irish Rail catering is awful. Up until this year, I used the train to Cork once a month for 10 years. Overpriced crappy tea/coffee and a cold sandwich does not make catering. I rarely used it, preferring to buy something nicer, cheaper and hot before I boarded the train, just as most regular travellers did.

That was what I was trying to get across, that the lack of catering on the coach, while yes it is a difference, it really isn't a major one given the awfulness of IR catering.

Finally there is no need for the Sherry Fitzgerald/flowery comment, we are all just talking here and there is no need to be insulting. I assume we are all mature adults here?

Mrs OBumble

Bus Eireann's X20 is interesting too, in that the airport-first option is sometimes attractive, and if you buy on line it's cheaper - I priced it the other week: E19 return vs E26 on CityLink. But their service times are a lot more limited.

The only real quibble I have with the entire service is GoBus's inner city pickup point: it's a relatively lonely spot a good way down the Quays, and doesn't feel overly safe at night. I had an experience a few weeks ago where I was walking down there at about 8pm, and realised that a guy was tailing me. he was still around after I went in to a newsagent for a few minutes, and I saw him hide in a dark doorway when I stopped to "check" my phone. The crowd around Tara St dart station meant it was easy enough to lose him - but no way I was going to the GoBus stop - CityLink got my business that evening.

Oh, and the immense popularity of the service means that it's very rare to get a double seat to yourself any more.

sligotrain

bk wrote: »

Finally there is no need for the Sherry Fitzgerald/flowery comment, we are all just talking here and there is no need to be insulting. I assume we are all mature adults here?

No need to be so sensitive. I'm not insulting anyone, but simply pointing out that the prose you are using to lovingly describe your bus experience comes across as flowery and written from a subjective point of view.

foggy_lad

sligotrain wrote: »

I recently travelled down from Derry to Dublin by bus so thought I would share my own experiences here.

On arrival at Derry Bus station you know you've arrived at a bus station. There's the odd beggar hanging around and a colourful collection of skangers looking to borrow cigarettes. All give you the traditional response of "f*** off" when you avoid them.

Our chosen bus was a double deck Ulsterbus Goldliner, a resplendent double decker complete with restful matching upholstery on most of the seats. Some seats also had a yellow plastic handle which doubled up as a knee-knocker when the need to get up out of the seat arose. The smell of must and wee are helpfully wafted around the bus. Since it was a wet and cold day I rubbed at the windows with my coat sleeve to have an occasional look out at the view.

I had with me my laptop for the journey and a flask of coffee. The bus trundles out of the bus station and soon we are on our way before a short stop in Strabane. We stop again in Omagh and then trundle slowly to Monaghan town. Since the jax is locked I dash out to the jax in Monaghan bus station, the former GNR Railway station. I dash back on and politely ask the person now sitting in my seat to move. They don't.

On the bright side, it's quite pleasant to stand from Monaghan to Ardee. You can really see a lot in the standing position compared to when you sit. From Ardee to the airport I can now sit again and discover why the jax was locked. It stinks.

At Dublin Airport I bid farewell to my chosen form of transport and think to myself, how lucky we are in Ireland to have a great bus service.

sligotrain wrote: »

No need to be so sensitive. I'm not insulting anyone, but simply pointing out that the prose you are using to lovingly describe your bus experience comes across as flowery and written from a subjective point of view.

Not a bit like your post about the journey from (London)Derry to Dublin then?

sligotrain

Yes, it was a crap journey and for the sake of a bit of balance around here I felt it was worth writing about!

antoobrien

bk wrote: »

BTW both the GoBus and Citylink coach were fully booked out. In fact the GoBus left 10 minutes early as it had a full load of internet bookings on board.

I was on the GoBus with the past two weekends, they've started sending second buses to deal with the overcapacity.

The previous weekend (sunday 4th from Galway) I got into the coach station just as the first bus went. I was just about to get pretty annoyed as I had my internet booking only to be told that as soon as the one that has just arrived has finished unloading it'll be loading to be sent back out.

Last Friday @ 6.15 also they had two on, this time from Dublin. The first the bus stop at 6 just as the second arrived in (presumably form the airport).

yer man!

sligotrain wrote: »

Dublin - Galway certainly deserves longer passing places, if not doubling between Portarlington and Galway to allow for more traffic, and obviously if the line is doubled the opportunity is also there for engineering the track to a higher speed.

I see the M6 was designed to accommodate double track at Athenry, saw it from the train the last day. Most of the bridges can already accomodate double track but there are a few that would have to be modified. The council have been pushing for double track from Athenry to Ceannt for years as part of the Galway suburban rail project.

bk wrote: »

I assume that is a nice cheap student fair, but would you still take the train if it cost between €33 and €40 for an adult ticket?

Yes to be fair it was the student offer, the train is €29.99 most of the time for adults which is a bit steep, so no I wouldn't use it I would use the bus. For a student, the train is good though.

If the train was under 2hrs to Dublin would you be enticed to take that over the bus? just wondering.

I do believe that the bus and train could work simultaneously, eventually. It would take a substantial speed increase to win over the majority however.

Out of interest, IF, hypothetically, you could get to Dublin via train in 1hrs 30 mins for €30 return would you go for it? take into account, the fastest bus is 2hrs 30 mins at average €19 return.

bk

yer man! wrote: »

If the train was under 2hrs to Dublin would you be enticed to take that over the bus? just wondering.

No.

Add 20 minutes to get the Luas to and from Hueston you are looking at 2:20, which is only 10 minutes faster then by coach and less convenient (drag bag off train, walk to luas, wait for luas, get luas into town, versus have the coach drop you in town) and for half the price.

Plus actual regular cost would work out at €36.20 (€30 return ticket + €3 onilne booking fees + luas).

yer man! wrote: »

Out of interest, IF, hypothetically, you could get to Dublin via train in 1hrs 30 mins for €30 return would you go for it? take into account, the fastest bus is 2hrs 30 mins at average €19 return.

Now this is more interesting question. So 1:30 would end up 1:50 and if it was really €30 (including booking fees and luas) then it would be a much more interesting proposition.

I think if I was going weekly, then no. However for a once a year trip to Galway for some fun, then I'd say maybe.

I'd say maybe because I much prefer the late travel times of the coach and being able to buy the coach ticket just an hour before, versus the current 3 days before of the train. So if the train dropped the online booking fees and allowed you to book a €30 ticket one hour beforehand, then I would say yes.

But notice we have a lot of if's, the biggest being 1:30, which simply isn't possible with the current rolling stock and tracks. You would be looking at an investment of hundreds of millions to get down to that speed, so not going to happen for the foreseeable future.

But thanks, a very interesting question.

Sponge Bob

I think the magic number is 1:59 BK

Frm a Galway point of view show up and pay €30 (return and full adult) fares on a train that gets you to Heuston in 1:59 or less will win punters back from buses.

bk

Sponge Bob wrote: »

I think the magic number is 1:59 BK

Frm a Galway point of view show up and pay €30 (return and full adult) fares on a train that gets you to Heuston in 1:59 or less will win punters back from buses.

Agree completely €30 return walk up and pay in full (no booking needed or credit card fees) and 1:59 will probably win some passengers back.

Specially if they improved catering (at least hot sandwiches and pizza), nothing to fancy.

Of course I'd expect GoBus/Citylink would probably drop their prices too then.

From a Cork point of view, 2:30 and €30 return, walk up, no booking needed, would make me think twice myself.

However I've personally gotten use to taking late buses now, so I'm not sure.

Either way competition is good for the consumer

The Idyl Race

sligotrain wrote: »

What was the trolley service like?

Perhaps not like this: