BusAras Issues

XPS_Zero

I have two questions for anyone out there who may be in the know about such things (regarding BusAras)

1. I've taken a few trips from there in the last week and the offices seem to be closed with only the Inspectors/Controllers and a young Customer Service guy present, why are the ticket offices always closed and is this permanent?

2. Are there any plans to actually renovate this place? I know BE is broke but maybe ask the NTA for funding? It's a national embarrassment as the countries main bus terminus, it's filthy, old, freezing cold, you'd want a biohazard suit to venture into those bathrooms and the floor area in general is very spartan and run down.

belfast stephen

the ticket office has been close for a good number of week and when i was using the station about a month ago the self service ticket machine were also out of order

PTH2009

I think it's stupid that they shut the place at 11pm and make people waiting for busses go outside where they could be mugged/attacked etc

They should at least have security outside after 11pm

There’s signs up in the station to say that they’ll be renovating the toilets soon. Long overdue, they’re absolutely manky.

belfast stephen

Karsini wrote: »

There’s signs up in the station to say that they’ll be renovating the toilets soon. Long overdue, they’re absolutely manky.

them signs have been up for about 2 years nothing has happend to the toilets

elperello

It's an absolute disgrace.
I'll wager Shane Ross never set foot in it.

strandroad

It could use a power wash top to bottom, and a tank of chlorine.

G_R

strandroad wrote: »

It could use a power wash top to bottom, and a tank of chlorine.

It could use a match and a carton of petrol tbh. Then just start again. Place is an absolute kip

Nomis21

The only capital city bus station in the World where the bus drivers often have to issue the tickets.

Causes delays.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Nomis21 wrote: »

The only capital city bus station in the World where the bus drivers often have to issue the tickets.

Causes delays.

You'd be amazed at how many people actually appreciate that both people local and far ! Including people from other countries who are used to being able to pay by card on bus too.

If everyone turned up in good time for their bus and also the bus turned up in good time too their shouldn't be an issue with departing on time..... In an ideal world and all that.

In regards bus station issues itself , I believe the health and safety officer was in recently over the state of the building in regards toilets, smells, cleanliness and dust etc.

Fire off a few complaints to them I think and hopefully they will force the company or building owner to take action at the state of the premises

GM228

XPS_Zero wrote: »

Are there any plans to actually renovate this place? I know BE is broke but maybe ask the NTA for funding? It's a national embarrassment as the countries main bus terminus, it's filthy, old, freezing cold, you'd want a biohazard suit to venture into those bathrooms and the floor area in general is very spartan and run down.

That would be a matter for the Dept. of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, not BE.

bk

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

In regards bus station issues itself , I believe the health and safety officer was in recently over the state of the building in regards toilets, smells, cleanliness and dust etc.

I was there a few weeks ago. In the mens toilets three of the cubicles were sealed off as out of service. So I tried one of the in service ones. If the state of the in service one was anything to go by, I can only imagine how bad the out of service ones were. Since the in-service one was overflowing with faeces! And there were lots of flies buzzing around the cubicles :eek:

It literally isn't a joke to say you need a biohazard suit to go in their.

Now I wait until I get on the bus to use the toilet (GoBE).

bk

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

If everyone turned up in good time for their bus and also the bus turned up in good time too their shouldn't be an issue with departing on time..... In an ideal world and all that.

Though I have to feel sorry for the drivers having to take online tickets. The process to input them seems to be very long and painful.

I didn't realise that the first time I used it. It took the poor driver longer to process mine and my OH's tickets then the 20 or so cash customers behind me! Sorry.

L1011

Nomis21 wrote: »

The only capital city bus station in the World where the bus drivers often have to issue the tickets.

Causes delays.

Tallinn. Although the locals all have free smart cards

elperello

GM228 wrote: »

That would be a matter for the Dept. of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, not BE.

Cue an arm wrestling match between Regina Doherty and Shane Ross:)

Dravokivich

PTH2009 wrote: »

I think it's stupid that they shut the place at 11pm and make people waiting for busses go outside where they could be mugged/attacked etc

They should at least have security outside after 11pm

There's a garda station right across the road. Someone can't be that brazen that they'll mug right outside one?

Corca Baiscinn

G_R wrote: »

It could use a match and a carton of petrol tbh. Then just start again. Place is an absolute kip

Isn't it supposed to be an iconic building though, Michael Scott design or something?
Agree it's a disgrace and not exactly a welcome mat for visitors to tour country

XPS_Zero

PTH2009 wrote: »

I think it's stupid that they shut the place at 11pm and make people waiting for busses go outside where they could be mugged/attacked etc

They should at least have security outside after 11pm

I wasn't aware they did that, this is like closing a police station at 9pm, if there are services operational then the building should be open to house the people and keep them warm.

GM228 wrote: »

That would be a matter for the Dept. of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, not BE.

This is very simple, after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the minister for transport walks over to minister for social protection "look i need you to sign a ministerial order transferring the BE sections of BusAras to Bus Eireann control and budget, do that for me yeh? Today?
Boom, now it's in NTA's budget.

bk wrote: »

Though I have to feel sorry for the drivers having to take online tickets. The process to input them seems to be very long and painful.

I didn't realise that the first time I used it. It took the poor driver longer to process mine and my OH's tickets then the 20 or so cash customers behind me! Sorry.

TRANSLINK have a great system for eTickets, you store them in an app on your phone instead of a wonky email MAC number the driver has to punch in its much easier BE should adopt that system.

elperello

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

Isn't it supposed to be an iconic building though, Michael Scott design or something?
Agree it's a disgrace and not exactly a welcome mat for visitors to tour country

Yes it was very avant garde in it's day-

http://www.irisharchitectureawards.ie/gold-medal/winner/busaras

There is a small theatre in the basement-

https://www.dublininquirer.com/2017/08/29/below-busaras-an-old-theatre-worth-revisiting/

Shameful neglect of a public building.

Patser

There are port-a-loos after being placed here yesterday, as a stop gap as it's planned to close off the Gents tomorrow and completely gut and replace them.

Start of the proper refurbishment of station hopefully

tooManyChoices

I think BusAras is a lovely but horribly neglected building.
It's a nice design when you step back and take a look at it, is bright and airy on the inside and has lovely little design touches like the bronze work and tiling.

Bugger me is it dirty though and the toilets are like day-3 of a music festival.

...and how much of the building is really used? I can't imagine that the demand on physical space for administration is as big as it used to be? Could this not be fitted into no more than 1/3 of the building?

I'd love to see:
-the toilets moved to the ground floor.
- the restaurants moved to the mezzanine level with the existing offices moved somewhere else in the building
- the kiosks removed, with maybe one coffee-dock on the ground-floor
- them to use the small waiting area in the back for late buses, with the main hall closed off
- most of the rest of the building turned into a travel hotel.

I've always wanted to know how much basement there is there too?

L1011

Bring back the bar, all will be solved by that one move....


The upstairs of the building is NOT administration for Bus Eireann, its the Department of Social Protection. BE have likely some unused space (the old parcels office may be empty for instance) and there is at least part of the theatre in the basement left but nowhere near as much as you think

Corca Baiscinn

L1011 wrote: »

Bring back the bar, all will be solved by that one move....


The upstairs of the building is NOT administration for Bus Eireann, its the Department of Social Protection. BE have likely some unused space (the old parcels office may be empty for instance) and there is at least part of the theatre in the basement left but nowhere near as much as you think

Is parcels office same as left luggage they used to have? Haven't been there for a while but replacement basement luggage lockers were invariably out of order too so that 's more free space but think beside toilets! Was the Theatre called the Eblana? Overall condition is a shameful reflection on two Gov/Semi State outfits

L1011

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

Is parcels office same as left luggage they used to have? Haven't been there for a while but replacement basement luggage lockers were invariably out of order too so that 's more free space but think beside toilets! Was the Theatre called the Eblana? Overall condition is a shameful reflection on two Gov/Semi State outfits

Parcels was street level out on to Store Street, ended in the mid 00s. Can't remember the old left luggage; there's a panic about them as 'security risks' these days. The theatre was the Eblana yes.

GM228

L1011 wrote: »

The theatre was the Eblana yes.

For anyone interested there is actually an exhibition about the architectural and performance history of the Eblana this Saturday in Dublin City Library and Archive between 11am-12pm.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-culture-and-amenities-dublin-city-public-libraries-and-archive-events/eblana



Also interesting to note it nearly became home of the Fry Model Railway a few years ago.

https://independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/bus-eireann-submitted-only-suitable-proposal-27816183.html

Dravokivich

L1011 wrote: »

Bring back the bar, all will be solved by that one move....


The upstairs of the building is NOT administration for Bus Eireann, its the Department of Social Protection. BE have likely some unused space (the old parcels office may be empty for instance) and there is at least part of the theatre in the basement left but nowhere near as much as you think

Have you seen that or heard it anywhere specific? I was reading of it earlier in the week and it appears that such comments are rumours and it's meant to be fairly intact, it's just that it wasn't of any significant size in the first place.

elperello

Dravokivich wrote: »

Have you seen that or heard it anywhere specific? I was reading of it earlier in the week and it appears that such comments are rumours and it's meant to be fairly intact, it's just that it wasn't of any significant size in the first place.

This link that I posted earlier indicates that the theatre is still recoverable.

https://www.dublininquirer.com/2017/08/29/below-busaras-an-old-theatre-worth-revisiting/

L1011

I meant nowhere near as much unused space, not bits of the theatre specifically

drake70

elperello wrote: »

Cue an arm wrestling match between Regina Doherty and Shane Ross:)

My money is on Regina

server down

There are far worse bus stations in the world. It’s fairly bright and airy inside.

elperello

server down wrote: »

There are far worse bus stations in the world. It’s fairly bright and airy inside.

You are right there. I've been in some very grim places.

However, we are lucky to have such an airy and bright iconic building and it's a shame that we have let it deteriorate.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Corca Baiscinn

server down wrote: »

There are far worse bus stations in the world. It’s fairly bright and airy inside.

Ah now,come on, that sounds a bit like Leo and the Homeless Crisis!

rebel456

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

Ah now,come on, that sounds a bit like Leo and the Homeless Crisis!

Because Ireland will always have the worst situation ever? It is ok to compare ourselves internationally. I've been to some pretty grim bus stations throughout Europe, Bus Aras for all its faults is actually fairly decent in comparison.

Corca Baiscinn

rebel456 wrote: »

Because Ireland will always have the worst situation ever? It is ok to compare ourselves internationally. I've been to some pretty grim bus stations throughout Europe, Bus Aras for all its faults is actually fairly decent in comparison.

But we're not responsible for all the grim bus stations elsewhere whereas we are responsible for Bus Aras and as a transport hub in our capital city imo it lets us down. I wouldn't be embarrassed bringing a visitor into Connolly or Heuston to catch a train, (apart from no left luggage) whereas I would be if I were taking them into Bus Aras

yabadabado

The social welfare offices are moving out of the building next year so doubt there will be anything done until that happens.

The whole building needs to be renovated so hopefully work is done when they decide what is happening. It's prime office space .

Patser

yabadabado wrote: »

The social welfare offices are moving out of the building next year so doubt there will be anything done until that happens.

The whole building needs to be renovated so hopefully work is done when they decide what is happening. It's prime office space .

Renovations started on Wednesday, as I said earlier in thread. There are now temporary portaloos outside the building (in corner of yard) as the Gents have been closed off and are currently being completely gutted. Also there are different contractors crawling around the inspecting and preparing to replace the doors, lighting and signage.

So far all the things I've seen suggest a renovation and revamp of what is currently in place as opposed to any sort of new uses - so nothing as regards mezzanine, unused retail units etc.

yabadabado

Sorry missed that part where they had started.
I suppose they will only be so much done especially when BE dont owe the building.

Be interesting to see what happens to the office space.

Del.Monte

Anybody who thinks that Busáras is bad now is lucky that they didn't have to use it in the 1970/80s. As for the toilets.....never been and never will venture there.

rebel456

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

But we're not responsible for all the grim bus stations elsewhere whereas we are responsible for Bus Aras and as a transport hub in our capital city imo it lets us down. I wouldn't be embarrassed bringing a visitor into Connolly or Heuston to catch a train, (apart from no left luggage) whereas I would be if I were taking them into Bus Aras

And we can of course do our best to make Bus Aras attractive and inviting. But your little jibe 'sounds a bit like Leo and the Homeless Crisis!' signifies that Ireland must be different from the rest of the world. We can compare ourselves abroad, to bus terminals in other countries. From experience Bus Aras is not, by far, the worst place I've been to. It's bright and airy. Thankfully the restrooms are getting a much needed spruce up.

What won't change is the menacing feel of the area around Bus Aras, the downtrodden clientele who congregate there. The new toilets will still have blue lights fitted to deter drug the use.

tooManyChoices

That's great news on the renovations and new clients upstairs.

I'd still like to see a hotel. Plenty of demand in the area and while the place might be marmite to Dubs, it is an iconic building in a prime location so will have no trouble attracting punters.

I'm delighted even with it being commercial space. Hopefully it will provide some extra funds and incentive to keep the building well maintained.

yabadabado

tooManyChoices wrote: »

That's great news on the renovations and new clients upstairs.

I'd still like to see a hotel. Plenty of demand in the area and while the place might be marmite to Dubs, it is an iconic building in a prime location so will have no trouble attracting punters.

I'm delighted even with it being commercial space. Hopefully it will provide some extra funds and incentive to keep the building well maintained.

Whatever happens the office space it woukd be great if the top floor was made into a restaurant/bar .Fantastic views from up there and would really look well with the mosaic/wood/marbel all restored .

The Theatre in the basement was rumoured to be getting restored a few years back and maybe that is something that could happen depending on what the gov. do with it after DSP move out.

Del2005

rebel456 wrote: »

What won't change is the menacing feel of the area around Bus Aras, the downtrodden clientele who congregate there. The new toilets will still have blue lights fitted to deter drug the use.

Transport hubs in many countries seem to attract dodgy people. Have seen similar hanging around train stations or bus depots in Europe and the States.

trellheim

did there not use to be a restaurant on the top floor when it opened or am I thinking of somewhere else.

yabadabado

trellheim wrote: »

did there not use to be a restaurant on the top floor when it opened or am I thinking of somewhere else.

Top floor is a staff canteen .Not sure if it was ever open as a public restaurant but may have been originally.

Evil-1

Its hard to know what to do with Busaras, it is a fantastic design thats just been very down at the heel of late, you could pump money into it and restore it to its former glory, but that then leaves you with its other major issue, its lack of space for buses.
I agree that Busaras should be open during hours of bus operation no matter how late, but given Bus Eireann's current financial position its is understandable why it shuts down as early as possible, perhaps more imaginative use of its retail space could pay for longer opening hours?
If the building was not a listed structure then it may have been possible to blow out the ground floor completely and increase the bus spaces by reducing the size of the waiting area and changing the entry exit points for buses, however I doubt planning for such a redesign would be granted.
Moving to a new site altogether has been mentioned several times, but lets be honest here, Busaras is in a prime location and combined with Luas and Connolly across the road its an ideal city center hub, I can not think of another city center location where a bus station of reasonable size would fit that would be as convenient as the Busaras site.
Perhaps going down is the answer despite being insanely expensive a new basement level for buses could be built without disturbing the existing building structure, however the costs involved makes that option the stuff of fantasy.

XPS_Zero

Is it practical to use some of the lower floor space for new commercial spaces? Let BE have the rent and maybe % of the revenue it would help their dire finances.  An O'Brians, a bar a lot of things would make a fortune there.  I know it's a bigger country but I was amazed in London and LA and NY how many commercial spaces they fit into even small stations they're basically shopping centers with transport services.  It would be a great way to stop BE's financial bleeding.
Might take some property transfers between BE and DSP but that's not too complex surely.

bobbyss

XPS_Zero wrote:

I wasn't aware they did that, this is like closing a police station at 9pm, if there are services operational then the building should be open to house the people and keep them warm.

Spent many a morning sitting there waiting for a bus in wintertime. In the freezing cold. The benches are near doors. The doors are invariably left open. There Is no heating in Bus Arus as far as I am aware.

Stephen15

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

But we're not responsible for all the grim bus stations elsewhere whereas we are responsible for Bus Aras and as a transport hub in our capital city imo it lets us down. I wouldn't be embarrassed bringing a visitor into Connolly or Heuston to catch a train, (apart from no left luggage) whereas I would be if I were taking them into Bus Aras

To be fair most bus stations I have been to across Europe are more often than not the poorer cousins of their rail counterparts. The general consensus seems to be fcuk the bus passengers because they are paying less than the rail passengers.

Tbh I'd more worried about the buses running on time than the state of a bus station. Having a large bus station in the first place lets us down and goes to show for the ineffectiveness of our rail system.

yabadabado

Stephen15 wrote: »

To be fair most bus stations I have been to across Europe are more often than not the poorer cousins of their rail counterparts. The general consensus seems to be fcuk the bus passengers because they are paying less than the rail passengers.

Tbh I'd more worried about the buses running on time than the state of a bus station. Having a large bus station in the first place lets us down and goes to show for the ineffectiveness of our rail system.

Busaras isnt exactly big .Always going to need buses no matter how good a rail sytem is.

L1011

XPS_Zero wrote: »

Is it practical to use some of the lower floor space for new commercial spaces? Let BE have the rent and maybe % of the revenue it would help their dire finances.  An O'Brians, a bar a lot of things would make a fortune there.  I know it's a bigger country but I was amazed in London and LA and NY how many commercial spaces they fit into even small stations they're basically shopping centers with transport services.  It would be a great way to stop BE's financial bleeding.
Might take some property transfers between BE and DSP but that's not too complex surely.

It has had more food retail and a bar before - in fact there is a special category of liquor licence on the books just for it!