409 bus to Parkmore

gordongekko

I just noticed in the advertiser today that this service will from the 3rd April now run every 12 minutes. It doesn't say if it goes back to 30 mins later in the evening or not.

Mrs OBumble

Thank you - it seems that BE announced this a week ago, but I'd totally missed it!

Features:
The weekday service will increase to every 12minutes from its current every 15minutes between 07:00 to 19:00.
The weekday & Saturday service after 19:00hrs will increase to every 20 minutes from its current every 30minutes.
The Sunday service will increase to every 20minutes from its current every 30minutes between 12:00hrs and 19:00hrs
The Sunday service after 19:00hrs will increase to every 30minutes from its current every 60minutes.

Full details here: http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=1972&month=Mar

muppetkiller

They can say it will run every 5 min if they like but if the returning buses cannot get to Eyre Square due to traffic it'll still be a shambles.
But it should be good for non-peak hours.

Fitz*

any word on the 405 yet. The added a double decker to the route alright, but the reliability is still not great.

what_traffic

muppetkiller wrote: »

They can say it will run every 5 min if they like but if the returning buses cannot get to Eyre Square due to traffic it'll still be a shambles.
But it should be good for non-peak hours.

True - need FAR more bus lanes in Galway City o+ else streets that are free from private motor vehicles in the City Centre.

biko

Let's keep this on bus times to Parkmore

what_traffic

Anybody know what time does it take during the Car Rush hour's these days from Parkmore to Eyre Sq and Vice Versa. Have not taken the 409 in a while. Do mornings and evenings differ?

Mrs OBumble

gordongekko wrote: »

It doesn't say if it goes back to 30 mins later in the evening or not.

I've now done a more detailed summary of the changes - there are a few twitches to various part of the day on the weekend, too.

FitzShane wrote: »

any word on the 405 yet. The added a double decker to the route alright, but the reliability is still not great.

Nothing said about it.

BE seem to have a rolling programme of announcements: twitches in Mayo announced on the 1st of March, this 409 change and one in Cork on the 11th, some more on the N2/M2 today.

Personally I think that the 403 needs more capacity before 405 (and it kills me to say that, 'cos I catch the 405!). Either that, or introduce buses with middle doors: the time for the 403/ to unload/re-load in Eyre Square in the mornings is just mad.

ben.schlomo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I've now done a more detailed summary of the changes - there are a few twitches to various part of the day on the weekend, too.




Nothing said about it.

BE seem to have a rolling programme of announcements: twitches in Mayo announced on the 1st of March, this 409 change and one in Cork on the 11th, some more on the N2/M2 today.

Personally I think that the 403 needs more capacity before 405 (and it kills me to say that, 'cos I catch the 405!). Either that, or introduce buses with middle doors: the time for the 403/ to unload/re-load in Eyre Square in the mornings is just mad.

I use the 403 and 405 and id agree that the 403 could do with any increase capacity wise, half hourly isnt enough on the route, at least the 405 is every 20, usually 5-7 minutes late at any sort of busy time. 403 regularly fills a double decker, same is rare on the 405.

snubbleste

The Parkmore to Doughiska 409 bus service carries over one million passengers a year, and is one of the busiest bus routes in the country.

:eek:

J.pilkington

snubbleste wrote: »

:eek:

Not sure where you got that quote but it should be qualified that it's one of bus eireanns busiest routes, not sure if would feature in that statement if dublin bus routes are included

biko

It's from http://galwaybayfm.ie/bus-eireann-bid-ease-parkmore-congestion/

bobbyss

I thought I heard an ad on the radio this morning for this service. I remarked to myself that I found it unusual to hear ads from Bus Eireann about anything at all. It even gave a phone number to contact. That seemed a very open of them because I always get the feeling BE are way behind the times and slooooooooooooooow to change. eg a non stop service to Dublin to rival the local lads.
Did anyone find it unusual of them to have an ad including a telephone number.

what_traffic

bobbyss wrote: »

That seemed a very open of them because I always get the feeling BE are way behind the times and slooooooooooooooow to change. eg a non stop service to Dublin to rival the local lads.

This change could be a result of TFI putting pressure on Bus Eireann to increase services. Very hard to know with Bus Eireann if culture is changing, they never show up to any kind of transport related public events in Galway City.
It is a good news story though. I think if they increase the #409 frequency further they should get additional facilities in place as well like bus lanes at Parkmore, priority on roads/junctions near Eyre Sq, bus shelters/real time signs and extend services into Parkmore East/West estates directly.

Stevolende

I've been wondering what other people think about the change in service. It does seem to have improved somewhat and become a lot more reliable. Far less cases of whatever time I turn up for a bus, the bus I've turned up for has been skipped which seemed to be happening frequently last year & a bit this spring.

Have wondered if this was a response to continual complaints or if people actually did complain or just grumble.

Now main reason I'm waiting for a bus is just having missed the one before, since it's gone by as i'm heading toward teh Doughiska rd.
Hope it stays this way.

Are the increasing the number fo double deckers around town or just using the same ones on several services?
They did all pretty much start on this service. Now I've noticed single deckers being reintroduced to this.

Mrs OBumble

Stevolende wrote: »

It does seem to have improved somewhat and become a lot more reliable. Far less cases of whatever time I turn up for a bus, the bus I've turned up for has been skipped which seemed to be happening frequently last year & a bit this spring.

It's June.

3rd level is finished for the year.
2nd level is almost finished for the year, just a few exams to sit.
Tourist season has started, but not yet in full flight.

So of course things will be better.

Let's see how things stack up in September/October.

Stevolende

I think I've been told that 409 is the best route in Galway before which has had me wondering how bad the other routes are. Is everything subject to continual skipped buses and interminable waits.

& is it true that at rush hour several buses came around the bypass to Roscam bypassing the Doughiska rd? Certainly seemed like that at times. Has left me wondering if there might be a beter chance of getting a bus from there. THough there is always one extra bus that I know should be coming via there anyway, the 410/404 but I never know what time it comes by.

PLus the 402 is within walking distance inside the Merlin park Hospital of course, if really stuck. & that should be free of the delays that come from the 409 (& 403) having to come from Parkmore and get through traffic there. Haven't really heard if the 403 had the same delays during rush hour but would suspect since the same factors were in play it probably would do.

Stevolende

Is there any reason that you would see a local service white double decker bus on the bypass road i.e. the main road that connects the Tuam road with the road south?
Saw one going that way last week as I walked down to the Doughiska rd bus stop. I don't think there's any kind of service on that road.
Wondering if a new driver missed the correct turning or something.
Think they used to drive that way sometimes during rush hours, leaving people waiting at the Doughiska rd bus stops for ages. As i noted previously.

Going from the bus garage to the parkmore start of the route possibly.

Mrs OBumble

Stevolende wrote: »

Is there any reason that you would see a local service white double decker bus on the bypass road i.e. the main road that connects the Tuam road with the road south?
Saw one going that way last week as I walked down to the Doughiska rd bus stop. I don't think there's any kind of service on that road.
Wondering if a new driver missed the correct turning or something.
Think they used to drive that way sometimes during rush hours, leaving people waiting at the Doughiska rd bus stops for ages. As i noted previously.

If it was a BE, it depends on the time of day: if they're switching from every 12 to 20 minutes (around 7pm) thne some buses go back to the garage out of service, so can use any road they want.

But they're BE colours, not plain white.

Stevolende

It was about 4 I think.
& I said white cos that's the predominant colour. It was BE colours.
JUst seemed odd that there would be a bus going that route since it isn't on any service I'm aware of. I think there wasa gap in the service for Doughiska road that corresponded to it too.

Bredabe

Stevolende wrote: »

It was about 4 I think.
& I said white cos that's the predominant colour. It was BE colours.
JUst seemed odd that there would be a bus going that route since it isn't on any service I'm aware of. I think there wasa gap in the service for Doughiska road that corresponded to it too.

I see two buses like that, one is a tour bus to I think, the ferry to the islands,
the other is a private shuttle for a particular company around there.

what_traffic

http://connachttribune.ie/work-underway-ease-parkmore-traffic-512/

"A third measure planned for this year includes relocating the bus stops into the heart of both Parkmore East and West business parks to further encourage commuters out of their cars."

Hopefully these bus stops will have shelters

randomname2005

what_traffic wrote: »

http://connachttribune.ie/work-underway-ease-parkmore-traffic-512/

"A third measure planned for this year includes relocating the bus stops into the heart of both Parkmore East and West business parks to further encourage commuters out of their cars."

Hopefully these bus stops will have shelters

TBH I can't see this impacting Parkmore East unless they have separate routes. Given it is relatively small (at present) it would probably be quicker to get off at the existing bus stop and walk to the buildings there than to wait for the bus to go into Parkmore West and then go around to Parkmore East.

Does the walking time from Parkmore West to the bus stop really impact on how many people drive compared to taking the bus?

martinkop

No, people don't take the bus because:

1. No one wants to go via Eyre square to get to Parkmore
2. It takes longer that driving despite the crazy Galway traffic
3. It's bloody expensive, if I'm already paying tax/insurance/NCt to have a car in the first place
4. the nearest bus stop is 1 mile from my door despite living in a city estate

So, NO, the bus going in to Parkmore will not encourage anyone to use it, imo.

Mrs OBumble

randomname2005 wrote: »

TBH I can't see this impacting Parkmore East unless they have separate routes. Given it is relatively small (at present) it would probably be quicker to get off at the existing bus stop and walk to the buildings there than to wait for the bus to go into Parkmore West and then go around to Parkmore East.

Does the walking time from Parkmore West to the bus stop really impact on how many people drive compared to taking the bus?

There are already separate routes: 409 could go into west and 403 into east, for example.

I think it does make a difference: west in particular is huge and you can easily have a 10-15 minute walk from the bus stop to workplace.

The 405 loadings grew whrn it started going right in to Ballybrit estate.

what_traffic

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

There are already separate routes: 409 could go into west and 403 into east, for example.

I think it does make a difference: west in particular is huge and you can easily have a 10-15 minute walk from the bus stop to workplace.

The 405 loadings grew whrn it started going right in to Ballybrit estate.

Would be very useful if there was some sort of Bus Priority measure junction for Parkmore West. Separate BUS Gate perhaps?

randomname2005

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

There are already separate routes: 409 could go into west and 403 into east, for example.

I think it does make a difference: west in particular is huge and you can easily have a 10-15 minute walk from the bus stop to workplace.

The 405 loadings grew whrn it started going right in to Ballybrit estate.

I think having a few express buses from Eyre Square (mixed with ones that go through the estates) or direct buses from the west side (I know not all the traffic into Parkmore comes from the city centre or the west side, but every single occupancy car removed helps) might help more.

gordongekko

The traffic does cause havoc to the schedules. I was at dunnes in briarhill on Wednesday around 6.30 and there was 3 double decker buses one after another heading towards parkmore. Surely getting 2 of these to stop for 30 seconds and getting the people on one to get onto another one and having the empty bus to turn back towards town is a much more sensible option.

randomname2005

gordongekko wrote: »

The traffic does cause havoc to the schedules. I was at dunnes in briarhill on Wednesday around 6.30 and there was 3 double decker buses one after another heading towards parkmore. Surely getting 2 of these to stop for 30 seconds and getting the people on one to get onto another one and having the empty bus to turn back towards town is a much more sensible option.

Then you need to worry about capacity leaving Parkmore, driver's breaks etc. I don't think it is quite that easy unfortunately.

If they do have additional stops then I do hope that they leave the existing stops as they are. I still think that the only thing that will help are a number of direct buses, a direct bust at 15 minutes past the hour would be great up there. I know that the day they ran a direct bus at 6pm a couple years back people were in Eyre Square within 20 minutes.

Fitz*

Direct buses from the Industrial Estates to Eyre Sq would do the world of good. There used to be another in Ballybrit, but that stopped also.

what_traffic

FitzShane wrote: »

Direct buses from the Industrial Estates to Eyre Sq would do the world of good. There used to be another in Ballybrit, but that stopped also.

Not so sure about this - the odd time I take the #409 and 403 it picks people up on the way to Parkmore along the route, even in places like Doughiska. Whats needed is to improve access for buses into Parkmore (and surrounding areas ) where they do not have to use same network as private cars.

what_traffic

what_traffic wrote: »

Not so sure about this - the odd time I take the #409 and 403 it picks people up on the way to Parkmore along the route, even in places like Doughiska. Whats needed is to improve access for buses into Parkmore (and surrounding areas ) where they do not have to use same network as private cars.

No reason you can't have a direct bus and one which stops.

Mrs OBumble

FitzShane wrote: »

Direct buses from the Industrial Estates to Eyre Sq would do the world of good. There used to be another in Ballybrit, but that stopped also.

Indeed. The old factory buses weren't even fully express: they dropped people off along the route but didn't do pickups. Were a lot faster than the city sevices as a result.

what_traffic

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Indeed. The old factory buses weren't even fully express: they dropped people off along the route but didn't do pickups. Were a lot faster than the city sevices as a result.

Why is it no longer running? Money or low usage?
I guess it would depend on what route you would take from Eyre Sq? I dont think ya can hit the population centres from Eyre Square without detour via Ballybane or Doughiska though to make it a viable service.
If was suggested that it would be a Cross City service on the other hand from Bearna through KnocknaCarra and Rahoon straight to Parkmore can see that working.

Mrs OBumble

what_traffic wrote: »

Why is it no longer running? Money or low usage?
I guess it would depend on what route you would take from Eyre Sq? I dont think ya can hit the population centres from Eyre Square without detour via Ballybane or Doughiska though to make it a viable service.
If was suggested that it would be a Cross City service on the other hand from Bearna through KnocknaCarra and Rahoon straight to Parkmore can see that working.

The Ballybrit one was replaced by the 405. The Medtronic one by the 409.

The factory buses were much appreciated back in the day when there were no others - but they were a once or twice a day service. Not a patch on a full day service. The only feature which the city buses don't have is fast. The routes were variable so they weren't great for people living before Eyre Square.

Gremlinertia

Used to take an express bus from knocknacarra to parkmore years ago. However it ran at half six or so in the morning so didn't suit many people and had an awkward route to the Square..

joeKel73

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Used to take an express bus from knocknacarra to parkmore years ago. However it ran at half six or so in the morning so didn't suit many people and had an awkward route to the Square..

Surely there are enough people in the likes of Knocknacarra that work the same shifts in Parkmore that they could look at organising their own bus. Get a post up on the Parkmore Traffic Jams Facebook page and a poster/email at work. Get a quote from a private bus operator for a month and split the cost. Start with a mini-bus if needs be and scale it up. It'll make a lot of sense when they put the bus lanes in on Parkmore Road.

Gremlinertia

Good idea for anyone doing that, I've moved and changed job since, if that bus was a little later in the morning it would have been great.

what_traffic

J o e wrote: »

Surely there are enough people in the likes of Knocknacarra that work the same shifts in Parkmore that they could look at organising their own bus. Get a post up on the Parkmore Traffic Jams Facebook page and a poster/email at work. Get a quote from a private bus operator for a month and split the cost. Start with a mini-bus if needs be and scale it up. It'll make a lot of sense when they put the bus lanes in on Parkmore Road.

This could work for county towns as well. Tuam, Loughrea and Gort.
One bus will take 50 cars off the road - however IDA Parkmore would need to start to increase charging companies for car parking for this to work. The companies already pay for it - but its so cheap that they provide it free for all employees in the vast surface car parks up in Parkmore which have bigger footprints than the offices and factorys themselves.

Mrs OBumble

J o e wrote: »

Surely there are enough people in the likes of Knocknacarra that work the same shifts in Parkmore that they could look at organising their own bus. Get a post up on the Parkmore Traffic Jams Facebook page and a poster/email at work. Get a quote from a private bus operator for a month and split the cost. Start with a mini-bus if needs be and scale it up. It'll make a lot of sense when they put the bus lanes in on Parkmore Road.

I think the bold bit is the $64M question. How many people living in Knocknacarra do actually work in Parkmore. No one knows (except the companies, which have employee home addresses) but my hunch is that it's a lot less than most people expect.

I'm also not aware of any plan to put bus lanes onto the Parkmore Road. Can you like to any, apart form the general we should have them campaign from BE?

Re the county towns, BusLink from Athenry already operate one service each morning and evening which goes via Parkmore. I'm sure they'd run more if they though there was demand. And I'm surprised that Burkes haven't been convinced to run some Tuam services that way - possibly they just refuse to consider it due to the traffic.

what_traffic

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I think the bold bit is the $64M question. How many people living in Knocknacarra do actually work in Parkmore. No one knows (except the companies, which have employee home addresses) but my hunch is that it's a lot less than most people expect.

It is. Close to half of the Parkmore workers dont live in the City at all. Hence the sheer volume of single occupancy cars that one sees there on a daily basis.

46% was mentioned in this Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport last Wednesday, 14 February 2018
"
Traffic Management and Congestion in Galway Region: Discussion
https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?id=2018-02-14a.935#g944
"

Keep in mind that shift starts are staggered, often every 15 minutes so you can have 2 neighbours starting 90 mins apart. 1 bus isn't going to serve both unless it's a regular service

joeKel73

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I'm also not aware of any plan to put bus lanes onto the Parkmore Road. Can you like to any, apart form the general we should have them campaign from BE?

http://connachttribune.ie/council-seeks-buy-land-sort-parkmore-traffic-nightmare-409/

"Coming from Parkmore, you’re going to have four lanes, and two bus lanes and a cycle lane."

what_traffic

Deleted User wrote: »

Keep in mind that shift starts are staggered, often every 15 minutes so you can have 2 neighbours starting 90 mins apart. 1 bus isn't going to serve both unless it's a regular service

If Companys had a Active Travel Planning - they would take this kind of thing into account. If done Parkmore wide basis even better.

Mrs OBumble

what_traffic wrote: »

If Companys had a Active Travel Planning - they would take this kind of thing into account. If done Parkmore wide basis even better.

But they do have Active Travel Planning now - staggering the shift times was one of the things they did to smooth out the traffic volumes. Putting people who've indicated they travel together onto the same shift would take things to a whole new level, and be open to all sorts of abuse.

Re the bus lanes, the plan referred to above covers only a very short portion of the Parkmore Road, from Briarhill BP to the Monivea Rd (and thru the junction as far as a the Clayton) - not the whole length, which is what would be needed to make buses free-flowing.

joeKel73

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Re the bus lanes, the plan referred to above covers only a very short portion of the Parkmore Road, from Briarhill BP to the Monivea Rd (and thru the junction as far as a the Clayton) - not the whole length, which is what would be needed to make buses free-flowing.

Do you have a link to a more complete plan?
The bus lane on that drawing coming from Parkmore to Briarhill continues past the edge of the image - there's no indication where it stops/starts.

what_traffic

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

But they do have Active Travel Planning now - staggering the shift times was one of the things they did to smooth out the traffic volumes. Putting people who've indicated they travel together onto the same shift would take things to a whole new level, and be open to all sorts of abuse.

More thinking along the lines of "Active"! Car Sharing/pooling - Medtronic have started to do this, Car Poolers get premium parking spots for example near factory entrances. They have also built a cycling village with bike parking and shower facilities. Staggering shifts is not really addressing the root cause, but can help for sure.