Dublin Coach Experience Discussion Thread

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892650#Comment_123892650

so it's changed from "Big Green Bus" to "The Green Bus by Dublin Coach". Sidenote, not a very friendly video for those with sensitivity to strobe effects!

LiamaDelta

To be fair most people do call it the green bus. Well, most people say 'fckin green bus'. Seems strange to keep the Dublin Coach part. Would have been a good opportunity to include the Callinans name though.

LiamaDelta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123892334#Comment_123892334

Is it going out to tender or is it just reverting back to BE?

devnull

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123893882#Comment_123893882

As stated upthread they will not change the brand until the company has had a sufficent amount of fleet and operational changes. The interim changes give the impression of change is coming but without associating a main brand with the things that need to changed.

I wouldn't be surprised if it came under the CityLink banner at some point but knowing ComfortDelGro they won't want anything to do with it yet hence why it was not bought by them.

bk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123894471#Comment_123894471

Unless ComfortDelGro buy Callinans, I don't see why they would have any involvement. There would be no benefit to Callinans turning revenue over to ComfortDelGro. If you read Callinans press release, they say they are excited to move into a direct customer facing service.

By buying Dublin Coach, they gained the ticketing infrastructure, marketing, etc. that ComfortDelGro handles for Citylink, so there is no real need for them. Yes, I agree that they should eventually rebrand, but they don't need Citylink for that.

devnull

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123895538#Comment_123895538

I would be completely flabbergasted if ComfortDelGro and Callinans have not discussed things about this acquisition and the effect it would have on their relationship.

If Callinan's start directly providing their own services then this makes them potentially a competitor to ComfortDelGro in the future when it comes to potentially expanding services or further growth by acquisitions. What happens if ComfortDelGro want to expand to an area that is covered by Callinan's already for instance or both want to go for the same one? It's not beyond the realms of possibility that can happen and would make things really awkward.

There will be some scenarios where both the ex Dublin Coach routes and the CityLink routes could get married up under the same ownership in some form in the future I would think. They could get reflagged as CityLink routes with a different type of agreement than what exists for the current CityLink routes, or perhaps ComfortDelGo will buy up the licenses for a significant sum of money in exchange for a long and lucrative contract for Callinans for the whole CityLink network including the Dublin Coach routes.

I've asked around and well placed industry figures have told me ComfortDelGro were interested in the Dublin Coach network, but they felt it was hard to justify purchasing the operator at the present time (those two words are key for me) and remember this needs to be justified to investors and formally announced in Singapore. However once Callinans have done the necessary changes that the operator clearly needs, they may take another look. After all, the takeover of Dublin Coach is no doubt only possible for Callinans to afford because of the money they are making out of the existing CityLink contracts.

devnull

Had it confirmed that Callinan's plan to change the entire fleet and are now carrying out a full review of all timetables and all operational procedures, rosters and work practices with significant changes to come over both the short and long term with a very strong focus on standards of fleet presentation internally and externally

They have also committed resources to customer information, social media and customer relations to vastly improve this to restore consumer confidence.

It has also been hinted by the Dublin Coach Facebook page that the Big Green Bus by Dublin Coach is an interim brand and will be replaced sometime next year as suspected.

In the nearest future, expect a fleet change and upgrade to the 726 before the end of the month as that apparently is one of the immediate priorities.

p_haugh

Passed the Belfast liveried coach working the 750 this morning - surprised that hasn't gotten the new temporary branding yet!

LiamaDelta

Are Callinans now effectively competing with Citylink on the Dublin-Limerick-Ennis route? A route they're contracted to provide the service to Citylink. Surprised the competition authority don't have something to say about it. Are Callinans the only contractor for Citylink or are there others?

bk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123943883#Comment_123943883

The coaches on the Cork route are operated by Barry's Coaches and Bernard Kavanagh I think, but yes the rest are operated by Callinan's

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123943883#Comment_123943883

The fact that Eireagle is non-stop from Limerick to Dublin Airport (skipping Dublin city completely), whereas the 300 only goes to Dublin City and stops at Kildare & Red Cow, probably makes the difference. They both stop in Limerick city outskirts, mind you.

Jameslee23

726 from the airport broke down and we had to transfer over to the 171 white Volvo

devnull

The Open top ex Dublin Coach Sprinter is up for sale on donedeal.ie

https://www.donedeal.ie/commercials-for-sale/mercedes-sprinter-mini-bus/40735407

Noticeable the ad says that it has been 'Recently fitted with new engine, gearbox & tachograph.'

Also apparently Callinan's are working on a recruitment drive for 2026 and are checking all the WiFi and the sockets on the coaches they have inherited among reports that there are a number of vehicles where one of the other doesn't work fully with a new website also under development.

Must say that there has been a big improvement in communication since they have taken over, Rome wasn't built in a day but bit by bit they are tackling all the issues, some will take longer than others but generally the future looks a lot better than things have been in the past.

Dublin Calling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123953363#Comment_123953363

There was bit of roof trim that vibrated like mad when that thing hit the Motorway. Not too bad for a euro. Better whan having to pay someone to take it a way. The new engine etc could have been 300k ago.

devnull

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123953397#Comment_123953397

Recently could mean anytime, but based upon what I have heard, I wouldn't be surprised if it has happened because of the ownership change. Think the €1 is a usual donedeal tactic to avoid some kind of fees, rathe than the actual price.

finnharpsboy

One after hitting a van N7 heading towards Dublin

dublinman1990

Did this incident with the Dublin Coach double decker happen on the Naas Road?

It doesn't look good if it happened there.

https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2025/1101/1541661-naas-crash/

dublinman1990

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123955091#Comment_123955091

The RTÉ article has been updated to say that a man in his 30's has died after being hit by a bus in Co. Kildare.

He was taken to Tallaght Hospital for treatment to his injuries.

He passed away this evening.

The crash occurred between J8 & J7 eastbound on the N7 at Kill.

What a sad end to a young life. May the young man rest in peace.

mikeybhoy

Deleted

finnharpsboy

From what I’ve heard, the van had an issue and stopped in the hard shoulder, the driver got out to inspect and the bus hit him and the van.

Sounds horrifying

tabby aspreme

Passed the scene of the crash a while ago, the van is completely crumpled from the rear impact and must have spun round in front of the bus for a second impact, as the front is badly damaged also, horrific sight, rip the van driver