BusConnects Dublin - Bus Network Changes Discussion

hfjm20

SG’s are generally fine though

cgcsb

I'm seing politicians talk about the new 19 route but no mention of the 24 or 25, maybe they're more of an F spine thing

StreetLight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746056#Comment_122746056

From what I've read on these forums, drivers would argue the opposite.

Qrt

Has anyone heard any updates on the W6? Surely it must be close to amalgamation by now?

thomasj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746078#Comment_122746078

You mean the 23/24? Are they meant to be replacements for the 83/a?

mikeybhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746056#Comment_122746056

ADL and Wright integral buses are cheap and nasty compared to Volvo and Scania buses. An SG is more reliable than a PA or EW.

The NTA would've been much better off getting Volvo BZLs than the EWs. At least Volvo is a manufacturer with a proven track record here whereas Wright's don't have the best record with their Streetlites.

Personally think they should have stuck with hybrids/diesels until the chargers were installed in garages. It's getting ridiculous that the AXs and EVs are still going strong in this day and age. They're not suitable anymore. It's not too late for the NTA to buy some more hybrid buses say and then focus on electrics when it's time to start replacing the GTs.

bk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746099#Comment_122746099

Different perspective from different users.

Drivers will have an opinion based on drivers seat, cabin, heating and the overall handling of the bus. Passengers tend to like dual doors, low floor boarding, wider corridors, bright LED lighting, next stop displays, USB ports, etc.

The GT class on started to have some of these more passenger focused enhancements, generally getting better with each model since.

However this also happened to be about the time that stricter emission standards came in, which resulted in buses which were lighter and with less powerful engines, which drivers tend not to like. I don't think these changes were linked, as in the emission standards were coming regardless of the passenger enhancements.

I think the EW is starting to flip this, as it's electric nature means it has fantastic acceleration again, but of course might have other issues with the mirrors etc.

Of course there are then other perspectives. The perspectives of the NTA, DB, etc. The newer models use less fuel, which is typically good for the companies costs and of course reducing emissions is good for the environment and government environmental policies.

I'm certain the public is happy to see the back of the old buses blowing toxic fumes into the city streets!

oliver_murray

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746271#Comment_122746271

It would probably make sense for it to happen at the same time as the other routes changing

dublinman1990

If the NTA were confident that the W6 will be launched in late November; I would assume they would include the relaunched route on the TFI website and in their promotional booklets for the E-Spine changes later this month?

Have any bus drivers done any training for the W6 lately in advance of it's relaunch?

To add another point about the bus allocation discussion of the routes with Dublin Bus & GAI; the bus routes in my part of Dublin like the 7B & 7D have had a widespread allocation of different bus types provided to them over the last few weeks. I usually see it in the evening peak time runs of these routes. It's had AX's, EV's, GT's, SG's & PA's allocated to them which keeps a lot of variety to them everyday. At one point; Donnybrook put out one of their mini streetlite buses out on an evening run of the 7D from Mountjoy Square to Dalkey about two weeks ago.

It makes a lot of sense though that the PA's will eventually be used on the E1 from Donnybrook.

cgcsb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746235#Comment_122746235

Yes that's right 23 and 24

devnull

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746279#Comment_122746279

The only vehicles Scania offer now are built with Chinese bodies which get very mixed reviews.

The best combination now for my money is MCV on Volvo. Not had enough experience of Volvo integrals to comment but the previous generation to the BZLs were not loved in UK.

mikeybhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122747026#Comment_122747026

Why are Wright's not building on Volvo chassis anymore since the Bamford takeover? ADL did a few B5TLs on Enviro 400 MMC bodywork for Lothian recently enough.

Was more thinking of Scania's in terms of coaches. Scania buses are kind of rare here in Ireland with the exception of the SLs in Cork.

TranslatorPS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746997#Comment_122746997

Those are to be tied in with the Fs. The November changes alongside the Es are now well set in stone I dare say, especially in light of DB's long working timetable internal approval cycle.

bk

It seems to me the problem with buying buses is that there are so few options available. You need:

1) Company who manufactures right hand driver double deckers (super niche)
2) Is big enough to produce enough to meet your relatively high demand per year.
3) Has a strong local support network.

That is basically just Wrights and ADL and it seems ADL has questionable support network here in Ireland.

Volvo have good support here, but don't do their own integral here and ADL/Wrights don't seem to be interested in not doing integrals any more. So that just leaves MCV on Volvo, but MCV seem to have very limited production capacity and zero support network here.

Doesn't really leave you with many options. Probably best just to work with Wrights to help improve the product and sort the reliability issues. Correct me if I'm wrong but that issues don't sound too serious or unfixable.

jd

Local Pols in D9/D11 are starting/supporting petitions asking for the 11 to be retained.

https://twitter.com/RoryHearneGaffs/status/1847311371555213560

and

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2024-02-20/13/

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748754#Comment_122748754

Shades of “Save the 175” campaign by John Lahart last year.

Pure politicking to be honest.

I’d have preferred to see the 19 operate a little further south to say the current route 1 terminus at Shaw Street, and thus connect with most of the network at O’Connell Bridge, but anyone using the 11 southside can connect directly at Parnell Square with the 19.

p_haugh

The initial W6 routing is due to come into effect next month.

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/long-awaited-west-dublin-kildare-30196939

I presume it will happen on the same day as the E-spine launch for operational sake, even if it isn't "officially" part of that phase

Buffman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122746160#Comment_122746160

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749087#Comment_122749087

Ye, 'works' on Hazelhatch bridge were completed recently, no sign of any bus stops being installed anywhere between Newcastle and Hazelhatch Station yet though.

tnegun

Does anyone know will the W6 continue to use the stops within Hazelhatch station or stops out on the road?

oliver_murray

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749143#Comment_122749143

From what the local councillors have been saying, there won't be any new stops between the two until at least 2025 but definitely not when the route connects. I assume the W6 will go into the station and back out?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749346#Comment_122749346

I would imagine it will go into the station.

LXFlyer

Tallaght/Clondalkin CBC now approved by ABP

https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/case/316828

Moves into the JR period now

9/12 are approved by ABP now.

DumbBrunette

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749598#Comment_122749598

Thanks LXFlyer. Which ones are still unapproved? Are they simply the ones which were submitted last?

LXFlyer

Templeogue/Rathfarnham
Kimmage
Bray

dublinman1990

I'd imagine there is still quite a lot of bus stops to be updated to the new TFI bus stop poles for the E1, E2, L26 & L27 between now and November 24th. The recently completed works to include the new cycle lane outside Deansgrange Cemetery have the older bus stop poles installed outside it since they were placed there in the summer. There is also the plans about the newer bus terminus to be carried out under Living Streets Blackrock to have to be addressed as well. Would the L26 be allowed to use that new terminus outside Starbucks from November 24th or is it still going to use the terminus outside Blackrock Dart Station for the moment?

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750384#Comment_122750384

They usually only replace all the old poles in the week leading up to the launch date. The works that have been done over the past number of months has been to add the quick release slot (to any stops without a shelter), so all thats required now is taking out the old pole and slotting in the new one, which should only take 5-10 minutes per stop. Timetables will also be updated in the week leading up to launch.

In terms of Blackrock, afaik any living streets changes aren't occuring until next year, definitely not starting before the end of November anyways. So for that reason, I'd imagine the S6 and L26 will continue to terminate at the current terminus for now.

hfjm20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750576#Comment_122750576

Just wondering where you got your information about living streets? Been scouring the dlr website and can’t find any updates. Same with the Dun Laoghaire one

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750673#Comment_122750673

This was posted to twitter last month, they mentioned 2025 for Living Streets Blackrock & Dun Laoghaire

https://twitter.com/dlrcc/status/1839334474137391262

trellheim

Is there any public word on the 24 Nov changes yet ?

thomasj

Anyone know what the story is with the L52 timetable ? Waiting for the bus just after Clonsilla station this evening I came across this on the timetable. A load of extra services Monday and Friday but can't find anything about these anywhere? Very strange !