Commuting to Dublin from Portlaoise

Sozsoph1

I'm moving to Portlaoise next month with my young family. I will have to commute to Dublin city centre 4 x weekly until I can secure a transfer to the midlands (civil servant). I've been told Bus Eireann offer a bus service in the am but I'm wondering if this is a better option than the train? Any issues with seating availability or delays?

Getting anxious at the thoughts of the commute already! Please help

BigCOB

I commuted daily from Limerick to Dublin, the train started to fill around portarlington and would only be standing room by Kildare. I would however not knock the train, yes it is more expensive but there are monthly savers and yearly tax rebates and such to make it more reasonable. There were at times delays on the line but only once was I late for work. I never tried the bus as they never left early enough to get there but I would be conscious of traffic delays and such, bus routes into dub are excellent admittedly but you can't account for accidents causing delays (happen frequently) and getting stuck.

Sozsoph1

BigCOB wrote: »

I commuted daily from Limerick to Dublin, the train started to fill around portarlington and would only be standing room by Kildare. I would however not knock the train, yes it is more expensive but there are monthly savers and yearly tax rebates and such to make it more reasonable. There were at times delays on the line but only once was I late for work. I never tried the bus as they never left early enough to get there but I would be conscious of traffic delays and such, bus routes into dub are excellent admittedly but you can't account for accidents causing delays (happen frequently) and getting stuck.

Thanks for getting back to me! I liked the idea of the bus because it eliminated the need for the Luas from Heuston.

BigCOB

Defo understand on this front. Is it Bus Aras direction you're heading for? Look at the time you need to be there for, if you're a 9am starter and your bus gives you a half hour window (minimum in my opinion), then go for it. One sure way is to try a week of both. You can buy your train ticket now including the Luas pass, it is also cheaper than buying a Luas ticket at Heuston

Jamie2k9

Sozsoph1 wrote: »

Thanks for getting back to me! I liked the idea of the bus because it eliminated the need for the Luas from Heuston.

Think dublincoach offer a service.

Victor

Exactly where at either end and what time will make a difference.

Use www.a-b.ie and put in the exact locations and relevant days and times.

Getting a monthly taxsaver ticket is likely to be the best option if it is only for a few months.

Sozsoph1

BigCOB wrote: »

Defo understand on this front. Is it Bus Aras direction you're heading for? Look at the time you need to be there for, if you're a 9am starter and your bus gives you a half hour window (minimum in my opinion), then go for it. One sure way is to try a week of both. You can buy your train ticket now including the Luas pass, it is also cheaper than buying a Luas ticket at Heuston

Yes, Busaras. Office is a two min walk from there. I think I'll have to just give both a try. Haven't read one thread/comment about people using the bus service so was thinking it must be rubbish!

Sozsoph1

put in the exact locations and relevant days and times.

Getting a monthly taxsaver ticket is likely to be the best option if it is only for a few months.

Bus Eireann website details pick up opp PL hospital to Busaras. Office is located minutes from there so perfect for me. I work 9-5 pm.... Tax saver is brilliant so I'll definitely go for that!

Victor

Just remember the Newlands Cross road works,

These are the rail fares: http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/fare_calc_2014.php?station_from=PTLSE&station_to=DUBCC

Welcome to the Rail Users Ireland Fare Calculator!

This version is the November 1st/December 1st 2013 fare revision

Station From: Portlaoise
Station To: Dublin (City Centre)

The journey distance is: 81.87km, fare zone GE future zone F via route PLTSE

Ticket Adult Child Student Family
Single €25.00 €12.40 €16.00
Open Return €36.30 €18.20 €21.20 €65.00
Day Return €33.00 €16.20 €41.50
Off Peak Single €18.40 €8.90
Off Peak Return €21.30 €10.70
Weekly €97.00 €83.00
Monthly €350.00 €307.00
Annual €3,500.00

Adult/Child/Student/16-25 fares quoted include the Luas/bus transfer between Heuston and Connolly. Family tickets are never valid on Luas/Bus

Check another fare or calculate for reverse journey

The fares listed are available at the station, cheaper fares may be available by booking in advance online. This is a trial service and may not always return the correct fare, Rail Users Ireland does not make any guarantees to the accuracy of this service, if you believe the fare to be wrong please tell us. The fares quoted are based on the official Irish Rail fare matrix issued by the National Transport Authority. Short term pormotions and internet fares are not included.

Use this: http://taxsaver.ie/Ticket-Calculator/Ticket-Calculator/ to work out the taxsaver discount.

For the bus, BÉ do monthly fares, but don't seem to publish them. A phone call or email should clarify things.

http://www.busfare.co.uk/eireann.html

Service 124
9.50 : Adult Single
18.00 : Adult Return
7.50 : Child Single
11.00 : Child Return
8.00 : Student Single
12.00 : Student Return
47.50 : Student 10 Jny
36.50 : Family Return
11.00 : Child Day Return
36.00 : Child 10 Jny
16.50 : Adult Day Return
50.00 : Adult 10 Jny

Sozsoph1

Your so helpful Victor!!! Thankyou!

Dingle_berry

I'm living in portlaoise working around D2. I've used bus eirean once, barely made it to work for 9am. The bus eireann bus is normally late, has limited service and dublin coach takes forever with a change at the red cow luas.
There are a good number of fairly reliable trains at peak times. I've never spent a journey on my feet. It takes 40 to 70 minutes depending on the train. At Heuston a lot of people get the luas, there's dublin bus #90(or is it 70?) that connects Heuston & Connolly too. Also a large amount of Dublin Bikes stations waiting to be commissioned.

Sozsoph1

Dingle_berry wrote: »

I'm living in portlaoise working around D2. I've used bus eirean once, barely made it to work for 9am. The bus eireann bus is normally late, has limited service and dublin coach takes forever with a change at the red cow luas.
There are a good number of fairly reliable trains at peak times. I've never spent a journey on my feet. It takes 40 to 70 minutes depending on the train. At Heuston a lot of people get the luas, there's dublin bus #90(or is it 70?) that connects Heuston & Connolly too. Also a large amount of Dublin Bikes stations waiting to be commissioned.

Perfect, thanks for replying! The train it is by the looks so.... Here's hoping I get a transfer soon... Not a good sign when dreading the commute before even starting!