Fairness in bus prices?

Endless Nameless

I just checked the bus prices from Letterkenny to Lifford online thru Bus Eireann.

It's 11.40. One way.

I mean, I could almost walk to Lifford from here.

I initially planned to take the bus to Lifford, then walk to Strabane. To save money.

Where I used to live, it's 6 euro or so from Dublin to Clane (one way), these days.
I remember it being about 2 euros less each way, easily.

However it's something like 2 or 3 euro from Maynooth to Dublin with Dublin Bus. The bus journey is almost the same length.

What is Bus Eireann doing that they can charge such extremely high prices?

It's insane to me.

biko

On a skateboard it's only 3 hours.

Lenin Skynard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

AlanS181824

Dunno.

deco nate

Fuel prices, also be glad you're not in England. Oyster card excluded..

Lenin Skynard

deco nate wrote: »

Fuel prices, also be glad you're not in England. Oyster card excluded..

I was practically throwing up oysters from the amount of oysters I ate when I lived in England and had an oyster card. England is oyster central, they can't get enough oysters. I don't know how they stomach it.

deco nate

Feck off.

pow wow

Could be worse, though if your only choice is being in Letterkenny or being in Lifford then I fail to see how.

danniemcq

pow wow wrote: »

Could be worse, though if your only choice is being in Letterkenny or being in Lifford then I fail to see how.

Fanad could be in there as an option instead.

kneemos

People only use Bus Eireann because they have to so they can charge pretty much as they please.
On the couple of routes that I know of it would be two or three times cheaper to drive,on day returns at least.

Kearns bus is a fraction of the price on my route, it's brilliant

JustAddWater

bluewolf wrote: »

Kearns bus is a fraction of the price on my route, it's brilliant

And he makes a lovely sausage

turnikett1

Cork to Blarney return (inner city bus) - €7.50. I thought that was a rip off, it's barely a 10 minute bus ride ffs. It takes longer for me to get to work and that only costs me €4 both ways. If I had know it was gonna be €7.50 I would've just hitched a lift!

Banjoxed

I wonder do high fares impact on what BE get from the Social for bus pass users? That is a ridiculous fare to Lifford from Letterkenny anyway, buying the diesel yourself would be cheaper, and perhaps that's the position the "Society of the Irish Motor Industry" want rural buses to be in.

comongethappy

As a commuter to Dublin from Wicklow, we drive, like everyone else.

If I took the bus it would cost twice as much, taking twice as long in far less comfort.

I'm subject to the same fuel price rises that BE are.

I've no idea why Bus Eireann even exist.

DrumSteve

comongethappy wrote: »

As a commuter to Dublin from Wicklow, we drive, like everyone else.

If I took the bus it would cost twice as much, taking twice as long in far less comfort.

I'm subject to the same fuel price rises that BE are.

I've no idea why Bus Eireann even exist.

Id imagine they exist for people without cars.

Banjoxed

comongethappy wrote: »

As a commuter to Dublin from Wicklow, we drive, like everyone else.

If I took the bus it would cost twice as much, taking twice as long in far less comfort.

I'm subject to the same fuel price rises that BE are.

I've no idea why Bus Eireann even exist.

It seems to suit many to have a residual service for those too young or too old to drive. Looking at all the "Thursday only" meandering routes in chunks of the Republic, if we had the comprehensive service offered in the North by Translink, the car industry would whine like babbies that it was so unfair that we actually had an affordable and comprehensive public transport system.

comongethappy

DrumSteve wrote: »

Id imagine they exist for people without cars.

If they wanted to save money & time they would drive!

(Except those who travel for free of course).

OneArt

Public transport's the same everywhere. Deutsche Bahn are just as **** and expensive as Bus Eireann (though reasonable if you've got a monthly ticket and you use it regularly).

Admittedly though with Deutsche Bahn you can get from A to B throughout the day and night. Bus Eireann seems to think that no one needs to go anywhere after six PM, even in highly populated areas.

jester77

I think they are being smart here. They know people will pay an extortionate amount just to get out of Letterkenny, so they take advantage of that.

OneArt

OneArt wrote: »

Public transport's the same everywhere. Deutsche Bahn are just as **** and expensive as Bus Eireann (though reasonable if you've got a monthly ticket and you use it regularly).

Admittedly though with Deutsche Bahn you can get from A to B throughout the day and night. Bus Eireann seems to think that no one needs to go anywhere after six PM, even in highly populated areas.

There is aaaaalways someone having an argument with a ticket inspector on DB!

Banjoxed

OSI wrote: »

It'd be cheaper to run the current routes empty than to have to pay the redundancy and pensions of all the lifers working for them.

It would be better value for money to reduce fares and increase frequency and make it a viable alternative to car journeys, but that would tread on too many toes.