Ireland's bus stations

Debator · 01-01-2013 8:40am #1

I had the pleasure of using the Galway coach station recently and was unexpectedly impressed. It's clean, spacious, and there are always friendly staff members visible if you need help. The station has a nice simple layout making finding your coach really easy and stress-free. The toilets are clean and it has the usual vending machine snacks available. I understand that the station is only a few years old? Money well-invested Galway. As a major tourist town, it's essential that it has top-class transport infrastructure.

Downsides? They installed a turnstile at the toilets in an attempt to squeeze more pennies from gullible tourists. The locals simply hop it. Also at the moment a few of the lights are broken on the sign outside. I'd like to see these fixed ASAP to prevent the "broken window syndrome" happening and the further degradation of the building.

Compare this to the dirty and drug infested Bus Aras in Dublin where you are lucky to come out with your watch. Any reports of other bus stations around the country?

Fizzy Duck · 01-01-2013 8:48am

Debator wrote: »

Compare this to the dirty and drug infested Bus Aras in Dublin where you are lucky to come out with your watch. Any reports of other bus stations around the country?

I didn't see the aforementioned infestation yesterday evening.

Debator · 01-01-2013 8:57am

The building is surrounded by heroin addicts who intimidate and harass tourists for change. Not a pleasant experience for them, I'd imagine. Admittedly, last time I was there was a year ago, so perhaps it has been cleaned up in the meantime.

The_Wrecker · 01-01-2013 10:33am

Debator wrote: »

The building is surrounded by heroin addicts who intimidate and harass tourists for change. Not a pleasant experience for them, I'd imagine. Admittedly, last time I was there was a year ago, so perhaps it has been cleaned up in the meantime.

Myself and the misses recieved similar in the Ilace centre on Christmas eve ~ its everywhere.

Louche Lad · 01-01-2013 10:54am

Waterford's bus station has got an improved shop recently so it's a bit more welcoming now. The main annoyance though is the indoor waiting area can get quite cold with people continually coming and going through the automatic doors. A pity that the bus station is no longer next to the railway station, but at least it's more central.

Limerick bus station improved slightly a year or so ago when they revamped the bus bays. When waiting for buses though, a lot of people prefer just having tea/coffee in the station café – a lot more comfortable.

KevR · 01-01-2013 10:56am

OP - I thought exactly the same as you when I saw the broken sign outside Galway Coach Station; I hope they fix it soon and don't start letting things like this slip. Unfortunately, the sign has been broken for quite some time now...

Chris_5339762 · 01-01-2013 11:23am

I would like to add that Galway Coach Station is for private operators only and that the Bus Eireann station is absolutely appalling, despite having the best Rail/Bus integration of any town in Ireland.

Debator · 01-01-2013 12:13pm

Good to see that bus stations around the country have benefited from minor improvements recently. If the government really wants people to get out of their cars and using public transport, then they should make it as comfortable and attractive as possible. It's also vital for tourism, especially this year with "the Gathering" happening.

Run_to_da_hills · 01-01-2013 12:42pm

Bus Arus would have been better without the Red Luas line stop.

.

Debator · 01-01-2013 12:49pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Bus Arus would have been better without the Red Luas line stop. .

I disagree. The red luas line provides Bua Áras with train and tram connections. We need our separate transportation infrastructures to be more integrated so I welcome this. It's the people who are the problem. Wanton violence and vandalism occurs unpunished. I feel embarrassed when tourists are forced to witness such numb-skullery.

mikemac1 · 01-01-2013 12:53pm

Colbert in Limerick works well

Lots of space and different bays.

Toilets in the station are a disgrace though!

Staff do their best but the place needs to be gutted and rebuilt like the Dubs did with Connolly.

Run_to_da_hills · 01-01-2013 2:43pm

Debator wrote: »

I disagree. The red luas line provides Bua Áras with train and tram connections. We need our separate transportation infrastructures to be more integrated so I welcome this. It's the people who are the problem. Wanton violence and vandalism occurs unpunished. I feel embarrassed when tourists are forced to witness such numb-skullery.

It has also added to it an increasing flow of druggies that use the toilet facilities as a discrete "shoot up area". I avoid the place at all costs, I would sooner take the five minute walk to Connolly where the facilities are a lot cleaner and policed by security personel.

The toilets at Busarus needs a revamped, a charge of 20c or 50c would not go astray to maintain the place. It works in a lot of other transport terminals including in the UK.

foggy_lad · 01-01-2013 3:30pm

The_Wrecker wrote: »

Myself and the misses recieved similar in the Ilace centre on Christmas eve ~ its everywhere.

Places like Busáras should be kept free of these drug addicts and beggars as they are not strictly public areas like a shopping centre and have more security although they are generally useless. Also you only have to look at the dilapidated state of Busáras and the awful condition of the unguarded toilets to see why the anti-social element find it so attractive.

Having the Toilets downstairs is a big mistake!

Gate 16 in Busáras is possibly the most dangerous place to get a bus in Ireland as passengers are often forced to step onto the roadway between parked buses to board their bus, also buses regularly don't pull in well enough to the kerb meaning passengers have a much higher step to negotiate and most drivers will not lower the front of the bus unless asked, there is never any inspector present at this dangerous location and IMHO there will be a serious accident there loading or unloading buses!

Next on the dangerous places to get a bus is Galway bus station operated by Bus Éireann as all buses are parked loaded and unloaded in a narrow lane-way right outside a busy railway station!

Letterkenny bus station is reasonable as it provides some shelter but no vending machines to passengers but the toilets are a haven for perverts/paedophiles preying on young lads using the gents toilets.

Carlow bus stop used to have a good shelter which kept the worst of the wind and rain off about 20 people but now it has an awful pile of metal made up from parts of the old shelter and it has been extensively vandalised, it provides no shelter now from wind or rain and even the two bins which used to be nearby have been removed! Carlow councils at their very worst!

parsi · 01-01-2013 3:37pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

Places like Busáras should be kept free of these drug addicts and beggars as they are not strictly public areas like a shopping centre and have more security although they are generally useless. Also you only have to look at the dilapidated state of Busáras and the awful condition of the unguarded toilets to see why the anti-social element find it so attractive.

Having the Toilets downstairs is a big mistake!

Gate 16 in Busáras is possibly the most dangerous place to get a bus in Ireland as passengers are often forced to step onto the roadway between parked buses to board their bus, also buses regularly don't pull in well enough to the kerb meaning passengers have a much higher step to negotiate and most drivers will not lower the front of the bus unless asked, there is never any inspector present at this dangerous location and IMHO there will be a serious accident there loading or unloading buses!

Next on the dangerous places to get a bus is Galway bus station operated by Bus Éireann as all buses are parked loaded and unloaded in a narrow lane-way right outside a busy railway station!

Letterkenny bus station is reasonable as it provides some shelter but no vending machines to passengers but the toilets are a haven for perverts/paedophiles preying on young lads using the gents toilets.

Carlow bus stop used to have a good shelter which kept the worst of the wind and rain off about 20 people but now it has an awful pile of metal made up from parts of the old shelter and it has been extensively vandalised, it provides no shelter now from wind or rain and even the two bins which used to be nearby have been removed! Carlow councils at their very worst!

I imagine that part of the problem is that when challenged the drug addicted person can whip out their golden ticket and claim to be en-route to an appointment.

AlekSmart · 01-01-2013 5:24pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

Places like Busáras should be kept free of these drug addicts and beggars as they are not strictly public areas like a shopping centre and have more security although they are generally useless.
Having the Toilets downstairs is a big mistake!

Letterkenny bus station is reasonable as it provides some shelter but no vending machines to passengers but the toilets are a haven for perverts/paedophiles preying on young lads using the gents toilets.

Carlow bus stop used to have a good shelter which kept the worst of the wind and rain off about 20 people but now it has an awful pile of metal made up from parts of the old shelter and it has been extensively vandalised, it provides no shelter now from wind or rain and even the two bins which used to be nearby have been removed! Carlow councils at their very worst!

I'm assuming (dangerous,I Know) that you have raised this issue with Bus Eireann themselves or more importantly with Letterkenny Garda Station,as if you have direct experience of such nefarious carry-on it should be reported.

http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/bycounty/donegal/Letterkenny/Garda%20Stations

I would agree totally re the Carlow "Facility",once a simple easy-to-use location for both Busdrivers and Passengers....until somebody in Authority decided to improve it...what resulted is as Foggy describes...although I hasten to add that the Vandalism was not the work of Bus Eireann Staff :eek:

noelfirl · 01-01-2013 5:37pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

Places like Busáras should be kept free of these drug addicts and beggars as they are not strictly public areas like a shopping centre and have more security although they are generally useless. Also you only have to look at the dilapidated state of Busáras and the awful condition of the unguarded toilets to see why the anti-social element find it so attractive.

Having the Toilets downstairs is a big mistake!

Gate 16 in Busáras is possibly the most dangerous place to get a bus in Ireland as passengers are often forced to step onto the roadway between parked buses to board their bus, also buses regularly don't pull in well enough to the kerb meaning passengers have a much higher step to negotiate and most drivers will not lower the front of the bus unless asked, there is never any inspector present at this dangerous location and IMHO there will be a serious accident there loading or unloading buses!

Next on the dangerous places to get a bus is Galway bus station operated by Bus Éireann as all buses are parked loaded and unloaded in a narrow lane-way right outside a busy railway station!

Letterkenny bus station is reasonable as it provides some shelter but no vending machines to passengers but the toilets are a haven for perverts/paedophiles preying on young lads using the gents toilets.

Carlow bus stop used to have a good shelter which kept the worst of the wind and rain off about 20 people but now it has an awful pile of metal made up from parts of the old shelter and it has been extensively vandalised, it provides no shelter now from wind or rain and even the two bins which used to be nearby have been removed! Carlow councils at their very worst!

Really it is quite astonishing how much you get about. And encounter a lot of sex pests, seemingly.

AlekSmart · 01-01-2013 5:41pm

Debator wrote: »

I disagree. The red luas line provides Bua Áras with train and tram connections. We need our separate transportation infrastructures to be more integrated so I welcome this. It's the people who are the problem. Wanton violence and vandalism occurs unpunished. I feel embarrassed when tourists are forced to witness such numb-skullery.

The issue is not the Red Line per se,but rather the routing imposed upon it in order to justify the removal of the Connolly Station Ramp.

It simply underlines the one constant theme running through most,if not all,Irish Public Transport planning..total unfamiliarity with the genre.

The Point/IFSC routing is the Red Line and should have allowed it to totally avoid the dog-leg imposed upon it.

Instead of continuing across the "front" of Busaras at Beresford Place,where any Tram Stop could have been located it took the scenic route,which provides maximum interference with both entrance to and exit from Busaras.

With Busaras now catering for vehicles at least 30% larger than when it was opened,it is a far from ideal operational location,but as the forward planning never materialized we are stuck with what we have.

mikemac1 · 01-01-2013 5:45pm

Too late to turn Temple bar into a bus depot?

Victor · 01-01-2013 7:02pm

Niles · 01-01-2013 7:42pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It has also added to it an increasing flow of druggies that use the toilet facilities as a discrete "shoot up area". I avoid the place at all costs, I would sooner take the five minute walk to Connolly where the facilities are a lot cleaner and policed by security personel.

The toilets at Busarus needs a revamped, a charge of 20c or 50c would not go astray to maintain the place. It works in a lot of other transport terminals including in the UK.

There actually was a 20c charge up till about three years ago or so. The toilets would be one area on which I would fail Busáras, with some cubicles in a state of disrepair literally for years. Not saying the facility is unusable but could be a lot better.

Mind you, they removed the charges from the toilets in Heuston and Connolly (the latter was very short lived to begin with) and they seem to be kept in a reasonable order.

Victor · 02-01-2013 4:27am

I was in Cork the other day. The station building probably dates from the 1950s, but it was extensively renovated in the last 10 years, with a canopy added to the front of the building.

Good:
* Quiet sheltered, especially compared to the likes of Limerick.
* Ticket office and information office.
* Shop and café facilities.
* Close to city centre.
* Good road access.
* Generally good information.
* Many local services stop nearby.
* Plenty of bus / kerb space, with both parallel and herringbone parking.
* Several ticket vending machines.
* Internet access.
* Used by some independent operators.
* Taxi rank.

Bad:
* Not co-located with train station.
* As of 1800 on New Year's Eve, there only facilities open were the concourse, the bus inspector's office (and I presume) the toilets.
* Toilets are on an upper floor. I don't think there are wheelchair accessible toilets.
* Information displays appear to be timetable based, not realtime based.
* Too many doors and people don't close them, leaving the place a bit draughty.
* The westbound stop for the local routes 205, 208, 212 etc. is badly positioned, mid-junction.

AlekSmart · 02-01-2013 5:27am

Niles wrote: »

There actually was a 20c charge up till about three years ago or so. The toilets would be one area on which I would fail Busáras, with some cubicles in a state of disrepair literally for years. Not saying the facility is unusable but could be a lot better.

Mind you, they removed the charges from the toilets in Heuston and Connolly (the latter was very short lived to begin with) and they seem to be kept in a reasonable order.

As per the Aircoach Express thread,it is worth posing the question,do we,the Irish,have a problem with Toilet's in general ?

L1011 · 02-01-2013 7:56am

Ulsterbus Strabane: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=strabane&hl=en&ll=54.826342,-7.470156&spn=0.003962,0.012188&sll=53.383328,-4.064941&sspn=8.405566,24.960938&hnear=Strabane,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.826464,-7.4703&panoid=R5GU7dhEVz-xyQwyr10ptw&cbp=12,207.8,,0,-3.63

Losty Dublin · 02-01-2013 10:12am

Add Dublin Airport bus station to the list.

Victor wrote: »

Are there any others?

Privately operated
Galway Coach Station http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Galway+Coach+Station+-+Se%C3%A1n+Duggan+Centre,+Galway&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=53.275113,-9.045879&spn=0.001655,0.005284&sll=54.175398,-6.339166&sspn=0.00162,0.005284&oq=Galway+Coach+Station+&t=m&hq=Galway+Coach+Station+-+Se%C3%A1n+Duggan+Centre,&hnear=Galway,+County+Galway&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.274992,-9.045844&panoid=PKFx-un0BSuP0CWCl8L8UA&cbp=12,69.41,,0,-24.03

Council operated
Hanover Weir Bus Park, Carlow http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Barrack+Street,+Carlow&hl=en&ll=52.834091,-6.927151&spn=0.006637,0.021136&sll=53.274991,-9.045846&sspn=0.001655,0.005284&oq=barrack+street,+carlo&hnear=Barrack+St,+Carlow,+County+Carlow&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.834091,-6.927151&panoid=224S6lIxcgJhCUZyIgbS8Q&cbp=12,172.62,,2,0.87

Bus Éireann operated
Athlone http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=athlone+station&hl=en&ll=53.426529,-7.935358&spn=0.000813,0.002642&sll=52.263023,-7.115611&sspn=0.001684,0.005284&hq=station&hnear=Athlone,+County+Westmeath&t=m&fll=53.427275,-7.936742&fspn=0.003254,0.010568&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.426529,-7.935358&panoid=dNBVasItfzgY9ALtG6PQ2A&cbp=12,56.21,,0,-0.91
Ballina, Mayo http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=ballina+station&hl=en&ll=54.111044,-9.159658&spn=0.003201,0.010568&sll=53.426529,-7.935358&sspn=0.00082,0.002642&hq=station&hnear=Ballina,+County+Mayo&t=m&fll=54.109515,-9.160269&fspn=0.003201,0.010568&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.110853,-9.159726&panoid=pjBxqP9gj4p04TiUAAZxYA&cbp=12,306.95,,0,7.04
Ballyshannon http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=ballyshannon&hl=en&ll=54.500982,-8.189809&spn=0.001586,0.005284&sll=54.504639,-8.19314&sspn=0.025367,0.084543&hnear=Ballyshannon,+County+Donegal&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.500982,-8.189809&panoid=2Al_mWEjuN7Fur_JNeGZmg&cbp=12,107.87,,0,0.18
Cavan http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Cavan&hl=en&ll=53.99039,-7.363152&spn=0.003211,0.010568&sll=54.110855,-9.159722&sspn=0.003226,0.010568&oq=cava&hnear=Cavan,+County+Cavan&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.99039,-7.363152&panoid=wXJD9n6Fpsv8f81M8v_uUg&cbp=12,261.75,,0,1.55
Parnell Place, Cork http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Parnell+Place,+Cork&hl=en&ll=51.899869,-8.466696&spn=0.006739,0.021136&sll=53.99039,-7.363152&sspn=0.003236,0.010568&oq=Parnell+Place,+Cork+&hnear=Parnell+Pl,+Cork,+County+Cork&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.899869,-8.466696&panoid=PEbCsnUKIeC6-fkSr8862w&cbp=12,179.3,,0,-1.74
Drogheda, Louth http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Drogheda,+Louth&hl=en&ll=53.711904,-6.352823&spn=0.001616,0.005284&sll=53.3834,-8.21775&sspn=6.672855,21.643066&oq=Drogheda,+Louth+&hnear=Drogheda,+County+Louth&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.71219,-6.352618&panoid=Jom4w_N3LoKEQcdFg6j0KA&cbp=12,282.34,,0,0.55
Busáras, Dublin http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Busaras,+Dublin&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=53.349629,-6.252594&spn=0.00652,0.021136&sll=51.899869,-8.466696&sspn=0.006792,0.021136&oq=Bus%C3%A1ras,+Dublin&hnear=Busaras&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.349442,-6.252697&panoid=1w5elZfV8m1hzdOjm13kig&cbp=12,49.99,,0,-9.05
Dundalk, Louth http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Dundalk,+Louth&hl=en&ll=54.005455,-6.403903&spn=0.003209,0.010568&sll=53.71219,-6.352619&sspn=0.001629,0.005284&oq=Dundalk,+Louth+&hnear=Dundalk,+County+Louth&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.005364,-6.403886&panoid=tR81elpxQcPfyKoW6DanZA&cbp=12,275.22,,0,2.83
Ennis, Clare http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Station+Road,+Ennis&hl=en&ll=52.83951,-8.97568&spn=0.006597,0.021136&sll=52.658694,-8.624986&sspn=0.001669,0.005284&oq=Ennis+station&hnear=Station+Rd,+Ennis,+County+Clare&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.839595,-8.975737&panoid=XyREHi55iEYZJnd8QkGI_g&cbp=12,161.09,,0,5.76
Galway http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Galway,+Station+Rd,+County+Galway&hl=en&ll=53.273923,-9.047273&spn=0.000741,0.005284&sll=52.270652,-9.699318&sspn=0.006736,0.021136&oq=galway+station&geocode=FQbjLAMdSvV1_w&hnear=Station+Rd,+Galway,+County+Galway&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.273924,-9.047274&panoid=OdSRg-hPKNMhPZM9Rv52gQ&cbp=11,151.69,,0,3.02
Killarney, Kerry http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Killarney,+Kerry&hl=en&ll=52.059945,-9.501178&spn=0.006715,0.021136&sll=54.005366,-6.403881&sspn=0.003235,0.010568&oq=Killarney,+Kerry+&hnear=Killarney,+County+Kerry&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.059953,-9.501467&panoid=pcHGeOhRVbPDIExWg2svGA&cbp=12,208.51,,0,10.23
Letterkenny, Donegal http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Letterkenny,+Donegal&hl=en&ll=54.953458,-7.728635&spn=0.003136,0.010568&sll=52.839601,-8.975744&sspn=0.006649,0.021136&oq=letterkenny&hnear=Letterkenny,+County+Donegal&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.953493,-7.728329&panoid=_FfmZuK6U8bdWJfKru6iZQ&cbp=12,39.51,,1,6.3
Limerick http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Limerick+City,+ireland&hl=en&ll=52.658773,-8.625539&spn=0.001656,0.005284&sll=40.230833,-75.5225&sspn=0.033353,0.084543&hnear=Limerick,+County+Limerick&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.658716,-8.625197&panoid=knVL-S5JOGVtKnVHa-7TQQ&cbp=12,115.57,,1,5.48
Monaghan http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Monaghan&hl=en&ll=54.251982,-6.969607&spn=0.000724,0.005284&sll=53.273923,-9.047273&sspn=0.001646,0.005284&oq=Monaghan+&hnear=Monaghan,+County+Monaghan&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.251981,-6.96961&panoid=znCYgrlzlmdVqAbLfyVQcg&cbp=12,42.86,,0,5.21
Sligo http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Sligo&hl=en&ll=54.271469,-8.481921&spn=0.012756,0.042272&sll=53.349437,-6.252701&sspn=0.006571,0.021136&oq=Sligo&hnear=Sligo,+County+Sligo&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=54.271469,-8.481921&panoid=rQL5eFLuOPZBd_T_eOgVJA&cbp=12,319.71,,0,0
Stranorlar, Donegal http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Stranorlar,+County+Donegal&hl=en&ll=54.801538,-7.775123&spn=0.006345,0.021136&sll=54.953495,-7.728324&sspn=0.003161,0.010568&geocode=FZxBRAMdjnWJ_w&hnear=Stranorlar,+County+Donegal&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.801474,-7.775248&panoid=dKWody39g5fIyuMh-EUjEg&cbp=12,95.31,,0,-3.62
Tralee, Kerry http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=tralee+station&hl=en&ll=52.270652,-9.699318&spn=0.003033,0.021136&sll=52.059958,-9.501457&sspn=0.006768,0.021136&hnear=Tralee&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.270655,-9.699317&panoid=MOnOq4M-n7NwNAt3eFMdNw&cbp=11,81.05,,0,-1.83
Waterford http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Waterford+City&hl=en&ll=52.263124,-7.116019&spn=0.001671,0.005284&sll=52.834091,-6.927151&sspn=0.00665,0.021136&oq=waterf&hnear=Waterford,+County+Waterford&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.263024,-7.115611&panoid=t1OwDMtREwjrWBjtc3Hr1A&cbp=12,1.31,,0,2.51

Ulsterbus
Europa Buscentre, Belfast http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=europa+Buscentre&hl=en&ll=54.594507,-5.934398&spn=0.003183,0.010568&sll=54.600424,-5.922039&sspn=0.006414,0.021136&hq=europa+Buscentre&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.594406,-5.934386&panoid=cDPpHIAZNvgbIxblZGlbpw&cbp=12,309.41,,2,-0.96
Laganside Buscentre, Belfast http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Laganside+Buscentre&hl=en&ll=54.600412,-5.922039&spn=0.002896,0.021136&sll=53.3834,-8.21775&sspn=6.713251,21.643066&t=m&hq=Laganside+Buscentre&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.600428,-5.922046&panoid=NEoV_HdmNSGehLr2WhHUyA&cbp=12,266.25,,0,-5.89 http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/footers/visitors/Belfastwalkmap270509.pdf
Foyle Street Buscentre, Derry http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Foyle+Street,+Londonderry,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=54.996811,-7.318729&spn=0.006302,0.021136&sll=54.59442,-5.934387&sspn=0.003183,0.010568&oq=Foyle+Street+,+Londonderry&hnear=Foyle+St,+Londonderry,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.996811,-7.318729&panoid=tuzxYWPD878B1yaSBXRp6g&cbp=12,102.34,,0,-5.3
Enniskillen Buscentre http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Enniskillen&hl=en&ll=54.344091,-7.6398&spn=0.000729,0.005284&sll=54.993976,-7.317541&sspn=0.000794,0.002642&hnear=Enniskillen,+Fermanagh,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.344091,-7.639799&panoid=KIZC4rLdPwKlaC3QjBUYCw&cbp=12,182.59,,1,-0.8
Newry Buscentre http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Newry+&hl=en&ll=54.175398,-6.339166&spn=0.001608,0.005284&sll=54.344097,-7.6398&sspn=0.001601,0.005284&hnear=Newry,+Newry+and+Mourne,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.175398,-6.339166&panoid=BDKwf_4suwuWQ4xjsI7OBw&cbp=12,280.5,,0,-10.05
Lonsdale Road Bus Station, Armagh http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Lonsdale+Road+Bus+Station,+Armagh+&hl=en&ll=54.351017,-6.653624&spn=0.0008,0.002642&sll=54.60176,-7.301745&sspn=0.001504,0.005284&hq=Lonsdale+Road+Bus+Station,&hnear=Armagh,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=54.350856,-6.653521&panoid=1O0yEVM6aN3YMJfK4Esqzw&cbp=12,279.38,,0,0.43
Drumragh Road, Omagh http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Drumragh+Road,+Omagh,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=54.601683,-7.301778&spn=0.001492,0.005284&sll=53.3834,-8.21775&sspn=6.672855,21.643066&oq=drumragh+road&t=m&hnear=Drumragh+Rd,+Omagh,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.601761,-7.301743&panoid=iPyXTVEUdlhwtlSeieQrjg&cbp=12,161.02,,0,-1.1

Other
Derry Tourist Office http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Londonderry,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=54.993976,-7.317541&spn=0.000359,0.002642&sll=54.996811,-7.318729&sspn=0.006351,0.021136&oq=Londonderry,+United+Kingdom&hnear=Londonderry,+Derry,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=54.993976,-7.31754&panoid=3v2QBiSO9dAZVbi1aHfunQ&cbp=11,60.84,,0,-2.47

gobnaitolunacy · 02-01-2013 11:15am

Cork isn't bad, got a refurb and a new overall roof a few years back.

Only downside are the turnstiles at the bogs.

Mrs OBumble · 02-01-2013 2:11pm

Debator wrote: »

... the Galway coach station .... Money well-invested Galway. As a major tourist town, it's essential that it has top-class transport infrastructure.

Downsides? They installed a turnstile at the toilets in an attempt to squeeze more pennies from gullible tourists. The locals simply hop it. Also at the moment a few of the lights are broken on the sign outside. I'd like to see these fixed ASAP to prevent the "broken window syndrome" happening and the further degradation of the building.

Agree that it's impressive, and remarkably clean and pest-free given how many hours it's open for each day.

But I think you forgot a few downsides:

1) It's not open to all operators, viz Bus Éireann don't usually use it.

2) None of the "local region" buses use it. I suspect this is partly because the "berthing fee" doesn't fit with their cost structures. I'm thinking Burkes, Healys, Bus Feda, Farrells AKA BusLink.

3) Some moron (and I use that term in charity) allowed it to be built with no taxi rank, and very very limited drop-off space.

This year, the the Christmas Park-and-ride was operated by Bus Éireann, and did use the coach-station. So obviously there is hope for the berthing-fee / public-vs-private situaton.

It would also be nice if there was a convenience-store and cafe in the building, like there is at Ceannt Station.

KCAccidental · 02-01-2013 7:31pm

Victor wrote: »

* Toilets are on an upper floor. I don't think there are wheelchair accessible toilets.

There is a lift and a special accessible toilet for disabled users, it's just hidden away in a forgotten corner of the station and woefully signposted.

foggy_lad · 02-01-2013 8:02pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

I'm assuming (dangerous,I Know) that you have raised this issue with Bus Eireann themselves or more importantly with Letterkenny Garda Station,as if you have direct experience of such nefarious carry-on it should be reported.

http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/bycounty/donegal/Letterkenny/Garda%20Stations

I would agree totally re the Carlow "Facility",once a simple easy-to-use location for both Busdrivers and Passengers....until somebody in Authority decided to improve it...what resulted is as Foggy describes...although I hasten to add that the Vandalism was not the work of Bus Eireann Staff :eek:

The issue was raised at the time with Bus Éireann staff attending to a bus outside and they sent the pervert packing and stated they would arrange for CCTV footage to be sent to the Gardai in Letterkenny. From the state of the two cubicles and the massive "peep-holes" in the partition and evidence of previous holes being covered up this behaviour is an ongoing problem in Letterkenny.

The original vandalism of the bus shelter in Carlow was paid for by our useless incompetent overpaid council! The sad thing is that new off the shelf shelters like what has been placed at other locations would have improved the shelter at a fraction of the cost! (Parts of the original shelter can be seen in both new shelters with a few other off-cuts from an engineering workshop thrown together.)

KCAccidental wrote: »

There is a lift and a special accessible toilet for disabled users, it's just hidden away in a forgotten corner of the station and woefully signposted.

Afaik all wheelchair toilets in train and bus stations operated by the CIE group are kept locked and are not accessible without the intervention of a staff member with a key. much like the wheelchair entrance to Carlow train station which is kept locked and someone in a wheelchair must climb steps to look for a staff member to open the door:pac:

foggy_lad · 03-01-2013 12:21am

noelfirl wrote: »

Really it is quite astonishing how much you get about. And encounter a lot of sex pests, seemingly.

The number of perverts using Bus Éireann and Irish Rail has a lot to do with the relaxed attitude of staff to incidents where nothing or very little is done about these perverts. In other places they would be put off the bus or train and held to be interviewed by the police but here it is just something that we are supposed to ignore and allow happen lest complaining about it might inconvenience staff.

bk · 03-01-2013 1:06am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

1) It's not open to all operators, viz Bus Éireann don't usually use it.

It is open to all operators, BE just choose not to use it, complain to them. It is owned by Galway City Council, so of course any operator can use it, as long as they are willing to pay.

I'd love to see Cork and Dublin city councils take the same initiative.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

3) Some moron (and I use that term in charity) allowed it to be built with no taxi rank, and very very limited drop-off space.

True, but then that is the trade off of such a good city center location.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

It would also be nice if there was a convenience-store and cafe in the building, like there is at Ceannt Station.

Yup it is a pity they didn't build into the deign a shop and cafe that could be accessed either from inside or outside the building. There are shops just across the road from it, but it would have been a good use of space, but then might have taken from the wide openess of the building, which is attractive.

gbob · 03-01-2013 3:20am

foggy_lad wrote: »

The number of perverts using Bus Éireann and Irish Rail has a lot to do with the relaxed attitude of staff to incidents where nothing or very little is done about these perverts. In other places they would be put off the bus or train and held to be interviewed by the police but here it is just something that we are supposed to ignore and allow happen lest complaining about it might inconvenience staff.

Foggy thats absolute bull, the last time I came across a pervert situation the gardi were called, they took the "alleged" offender off the bus drove him round the corner and brought him straight back to wait for the next bus. There is only so much that staff can do.

AlekSmart · 03-01-2013 5:35am

gbob wrote: »

Foggy thats absolute bull, the last time I came across a pervert situation the gardi were called, they took the "alleged" offender off the bus drove him round the corner and brought him straight back to wait for the next bus. There is only so much that staff can do.

Yes gbob,but in the peculiar place that is Foggyland,the real "crime" is being a Staff-member.

This "bull" attitude,as you describe it,manages to ignore the reality that Public Transport staff,when not attending to the needs of Foggy,can and do,take action to address the situation...

http://www.herald.ie/news/bus-pervert-was-caught-by-victim-who-tipped-off-driver-2640546.html

The victim immediately moved to alert the driver, who would not let the man in question leave until the gardai arrived at the scene.

This is but one example of a number of similar scenarios,where co-operation between Victims,Staff and Gardai has proven effective.

parsi · 03-01-2013 1:14pm

Victor wrote: »

I was in Cork the other day. The station building probably dates from the 1950s, but it was extensively renovated in the last 10 years, with a canopy added to the front of the building.

Good:
* Quiet sheltered, especially compared to the likes of Limerick.
* Ticket office and information office.
* Shop and café facilities.
* Close to city centre.
* Good road access.
* Generally good information.
* Many local services stop nearby.
* Plenty of bus / kerb space, with both parallel and herringbone parking.
* Several ticket vending machines.
* Internet access.
* Used by some independent operators.
* Taxi rank.

Bad:
* Not co-located with train station.
* As of 1800 on New Year's Eve, there only facilities open were the concourse, the bus inspector's office (and I presume) the toilets.
* Toilets are on an upper floor. I don't think there are wheelchair accessible toilets.
* Information displays appear to be timetable based, not realtime based.
* Too many doors and people don't close them, leaving the place a bit draughty.
* The westbound stop for the local routes 205, 208, 212 etc. is badly positioned, mid-junction.

Physicall the building in Cork isn't that bad but it is very poorly sited especially in relation to pedestrian access where pedestrians have to fight with cars, taxis and buses to get from the bus shelter (Merchant's Quay end) across to the main building.

I'm amazed at how low the number of deaths is at that spot - theres a massive amount of frenetic activity crammed into a small spot.

parsi · 03-01-2013 1:18pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

The issue was raised at the time with Bus Éireann staff attending to a bus outside and they sent the pervert packing and stated they would arrange for CCTV footage to be sent to the Gardai in Letterkenny. From the state of the two cubicles and the massive "peep-holes" in the partition and evidence of previous holes being covered up this behaviour is an ongoing problem in Letterkenny.

The original vandalism of the bus shelter in Carlow was paid for by our useless incompetent overpaid council! The sad thing is that new off the shelf shelters like what has been placed at other locations would have improved the shelter at a fraction of the cost! (Parts of the original shelter can be seen in both new shelters with a few other off-cuts from an engineering workshop thrown together.)

Afaik all wheelchair toilets in train and bus stations operated by the CIE group are kept locked and are not accessible without the intervention of a staff member with a key. much like the wheelchair entrance to Carlow train station which is kept locked and someone in a wheelchair must climb steps to look for a staff member to open the door:pac:

Gee - you must have enough info and tall-tales gathered now for a county-by-county expose of Ireland's shameful bus and train stations.

I suppose locking the toilets does help to keep them clean and under control.

On a more serious note - there is the issue of public transport areas being congregation points for supposed perverts, junkies and criminals selling stolen goods (how many donedeal type shady deals selling high value electronics are transacted in such spots by people (often with golden tickets) able to hop off a bus, take the money and be gone before you can even say "Sale of Goods Act ?) .

What is the solution ?

KevR · 03-01-2013 2:54pm

bk wrote: »

Yup it is a pity they didn't build into the deign a shop and cafe that could be accessed either from inside or outside the building. There are shops just across the road from it, but it would have been a good use of space, but then might have taken from the wide openess of the building, which is attractive.

There is a stairs in the bus station. Is there anything upstairs? It looked empty the last time I was there (although it was hard to get a view through the window). If it is empty, they really should think about putting in a convenience store / coffee shop.

Mrs OBumble · 04-01-2013 1:49pm

bk wrote: »

True, but then that [lack of taxi rank or drop off space] is the trade off of such a good city center location.

'Fraid I have to disagree.

The road/building could have been designed to facilitate this - but it wasn't. The nearest official taxi rank is some distance away (too far for an elderly person with a large bag), and there is not even signposting to say where to find it.

Ceannt station has an even more central location, and taxi + drop-off space.

And I remembered one more thing that's missing from the coach station: an ATM would be mighty handy too. There's real lack of them in that end of town.

parsi · 04-01-2013 9:23pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

The number of perverts using Bus Éireann and Irish Rail has a lot to do with the relaxed attitude of staff to incidents where nothing or very little is done about these perverts. In other places they would be put off the bus or train and held to be interviewed by the police but here it is just something that we are supposed to ignore and allow happen lest complaining about it might inconvenience staff.

If you have evidence for this despicable accusation then you should take it to the relevant authorities.

If you don't then you should delete your posting.

parsi · 05-01-2013 1:27am

foggy_lad wrote: »

The number of perverts using Bus Éireann and Irish Rail has a lot to do with the relaxed attitude of staff to incidents where nothing or very little is done about these perverts. In other places they would be put off the bus or train and held to be interviewed by the police but here it is just something that we are supposed to ignore and allow happen lest complaining about it might inconvenience staff.

Hmm. I see that this posting has been tweeted for the attention of Irish Rail and Bus Eireann.

Maybe we'll finally see why these offensive accusations are permitted without any form of censure.

is the poster related to the Mods or Admins ?

Ireland's bus stations

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