Dublin-Derry Trip

XPS_Zero

Hey, I have some questions as I may have to endure this appalling trip north before Christmas. Spending 8 hours a day on a bus (I'd have to come back same day) is not a thing I like the idea of but hopefully I can let my laptop and tablet make me read and watch the time away

I have looked into the X3/4 Translink route which is most direct, Busaras to Foyle station direct, and train, doing Enterprise to Belfast Central then NIR CAF to Derry, either way it's 4 hours, and though the trains more comfy it's not any quicker and at least when you get on bus you are staying put until you get off and thats it (no changing trains).

Two questions:
1. I assume there is no faster or more direct/express bus route I am overlooking?

2. Does anyone know which services on these have the double decker (which times) iv'e passed and been in BusAras when it's been single decker and double, Translinks new doubles are more comfy, it's single deckers I've already taken from Newry and Belfast and WITHOUT FAIL EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME the wifi fails a few minutes after leaving the bus station EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. and unless you are able to get a seat at the very front or back right beside the emergency exit you are mashed into rows WAYYYY too close together with no leg room (I'm recovering from illness muscle soreness is a key side effect of the drugs to treat it i mean serious muscle soreness and stiffness)

3. Did BE shut down it's Derry service yet? (THey have more comfortable busses so if people don't know which Translinks are double deckers I shall try to get a BE timed bus)

Much Obliged

Wagon360

XPS_Zero wrote: »

Hey, I have some questions as I may have to endure this appalling trip north before Christmas. Spending 8 hours a day on a bus (I'd have to come back same day) is not a thing I like the idea of but hopefully I can let my laptop and tablet make me read and watch the time away

I have looked into the X3/4 Translink route which is most direct, Busaras to Foyle station direct, and train, doing Enterprise to Belfast Central then NIR CAF to Derry, either way it's 4 hours, and though the trains more comfy it's not any quicker and at least when you get on bus you are staying put until you get off and thats it (no changing trains).

Two questions:
1. I assume there is no faster or more direct/express bus route I am overlooking?

2. Does anyone know which services on these have the double decker (which times) iv'e passed and been in BusAras when it's been single decker and double, Translinks new doubles are more comfy, it's single deckers I've already taken from Newry and Belfast and WITHOUT FAIL EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME the wifi fails a few minutes after leaving the bus station EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. and unless you are able to get a seat at the very front or back right beside the emergency exit you are mashed into rows WAYYYY too close together with no leg room (I'm recovering from illness muscle soreness is a key side effect of the drugs to treat it i mean serious muscle soreness and stiffness)

3. Did BE shut down it's Derry service yet? (THey have more comfortable busses so if people don't know which Translinks are double deckers I shall try to get a BE timed bus)

Much Obliged

BÉ don't run the Derry service anymore, it's all Translink Goldline now. The train is definitely more comfortable but the connections aren't great and you are reliant on the Enterprise arriving on time. Much as it pains me to recommend the bus I have to in this case, especially if time is important. There is a quick refreshment stop in Monaghan which does break the journey somewhat.

Hugh Jampton

Wagon360 wrote: »

BÉ don't run the Derry service anymore, it's all Translink Goldline now. The train is definitely more comfortable but the connections aren't great and you are reliant on the Enterprise arriving on time. Much as it pains me to recommend the bus I have to in this case, especially if time is important. There is a quick refreshment stop in Monaghan which does break the journey somewhat.

And, alas, the Translink WiFi is not at all reliable. Better to tether with your phone, if you can.

Hugh Jampton

Wagon360 wrote: »

BÉ don't run the Derry service anymore, it's all Translink Goldline now. The train is definitely more comfortable but the connections aren't great and you are reliant on the Enterprise arriving on time. Much as it pains me to recommend the bus I have to in this case, especially if time is important. There is a quick refreshment stop in Monaghan which does break the journey somewhat.

Also, the X4 goes via Armagh, Dungannon and Dungiven. Similar timings to the X3 via Monaghan and Omagh. Refreshment stop is at Dungannon.

XPS_Zero

So the X3 isn't any faster really than the X4?

The Nutty M

Mcginleys coaches do that run or my own favourite is Carrickfinn to Dublin booked in advance is 28 euro ew.

Hugh Jampton

XPS_Zero wrote: »

So the X3 isn't any faster really than the X4?

If you look at the timetables on Translink Goldline’s website there are some small variants depending on the time of day, but generally, no.

Hugh Jampton

The Nutty M wrote: »

Mcginleys coaches do that run or my own favourite is Carrickfinn to Dublin booked in advance is 28 euro ew.

McGinleys are fairly good, does the Carrickfinn bus run via Derry?

devnull

There is no Express service, whilst there used to be an X33 it was discontinued a while back.

At least one private operator recently applied to run a service but it was declined on the basis it would effect Translinks stopping service and apparently there was no benefit of running it according to the Department of Infrastructure.

XPS_Zero

I guess I'll bite the bullet and do it so. I'll just get a very big early breakfast in the CC before the trip and be at the door like 3 hours beforehand so I can ensure I'm first in the que to get a good seat ha especially since it will probably be a single decker, though seeing that route from the top deck of a bus would be great.

belfast stephen

XPS_Zero wrote: »

I guess I'll bite the bullet and do it so.  I'll just get a very big early breakfast in the CC before the trip and be at the door like 3 hours beforehand so I can ensure I'm first in the que to get a good seat ha especially since it will probably be a single decker, though seeing that route from the top deck of a bus would be great.

you may get 1 or the ulsterbus Caetano Invictus double decker coaches

XPS_Zero

belfast stephen wrote: »

you may get 1 or the ulsterbus Caetano Invictus double decker coaches

It will be 10am tomorrow the X3, I am eagerly hoping for the double decker, maybe because it's so busy this time of year they'll have the double decker
The only thing bothering me still about this trip is Goldlines tendency of it's wifi to just STOP a few minutes after departure, and it has no plugs, no plugs on a 4 hour journey could be a problem.

belfast stephen

The deckers used on the x3/x4 has USB Points at each seat and ulsterbus limit the time you can use the Wi-Fi but I can't remember how long it is for

XPS_Zero

I'm using a CityLink bus wifi to type this, you'll be SHOCKED to learn that:

• As expected the wifi does not work
• As expected it was not a double decker
• Unlike BE there are no sockets or usb ports

4 hours ahead of me on a bus that I feel cramped on going to Newry, which is why I love the train - there is a train to Derry but it's not as direct as I said.

I pray that I get a Double Decker on the way home later.

Though I do like Goldline for one thing they have a feature BE does not, and IE only recently got: allowing pass passengers to book online. Though it wasn't the most comfortable, I was the second one on, gave him my pass, and because pass tickets can't be got in the BE machines (which they should, tech is there) or in BusAras office (cos it's closed) he had to get his little book out and write out a slip. Then behind me nobody else was on a pass, so right as I pick up my free ticket behind me I hear "32 please" , "26 please".....many of whom are middle class students like I was before medical leave , you feel like such a scab, even though I know I paid PRSI since I was 16, worked since I was 10, and had two life threatening illnesses I'm only now recovering from, so it's not like I had the thing illegitimately but you still feel like a scab
It's even worse at the airport now when due to space problems they are only accepting people going all the way - use a bloody double decker on every X3/4 and you won't have that problem lads, jesus!

On the plus side I did get a seat at the front facing out to the window, and there is an uber-cute (loike LOLZ) baby to my right who thinks my baseball cap and blinding white rugby jersey are just fascinating, and also thinks pressing my bicep is what is making me giggle rather than the expression on his face, he presses it then looks up at me which makes me laugh, but he thinks its like pressing a button, and he's endlessly amused by this.

road_high

Did the Derry to Dublin flights completely cease? That was a PSO?
One I'd have kept for access, socio economic and political reasons.

Wagon360

road_high wrote: »

Did the Derry to Dublin flights completely cease? That was a PSO?
One I'd have kept for access, socio economic and political reasons.

The flights are gone but it would be a great service to Derry and Donegal if they came back. They were a PSO but funding ended when the PSO was transferred to Carrickfinn Airport in Donegal.

XPS_Zero

Well I'm sure you've all been dying to know how my trip went.... ehem...well probably not but I'm gonna tell you anyway.. at least got the decent double decker on the way back - which compensates me somewhat for a horrible trip. It really is quite a nice bus and comfortable particularly when you are sick.

I also got top front seats (my inner child is satisfied)
I figured the internet would be better on the double deckers and it was, at least for my tablet it was (I was reading books on my tablet but was curious), but on my laptop before I started reading, and iphone, I "exceeded your allowance"...by opening two web pages on my laptop and gmail on the iphone...yes....two web pages and they cut you off, they say it's 80mb but I can't see how two webpages equals that. I happened to see a leaflet (attached) which shows their service ratings in the bus station and as expected it's a disaster where wifi is concerned.
I did have an annoying experience when two loud boistrus Russian dudes got on and sat in the front next to me and just as I put my eye mask (so it will be dark when I try to sleep - shut up!) on and earphones in to listen to an audiobook I hear....Russian rap music...on speaker...never ceases to amaze me how few people on public transport are familiar with the idea of earphones. He stopped after I slowly turned my head and gave him what my friends call my "sociopath stare" (shut up!)
Anyway here are pics of the bus for you nerds out there.
The most comfortable seats are top front, and middle right on bottom deck as you get on facing wheelchair space. The USB sockets were a godsend for the way back as nothing was charged.

https://ibb.co/hQ2Qpm
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https://ibb.co/dQpS26
https://ibb.co/kD5pFR
https://ibb.co/kfgeFR
https://ibb.co/dbDFpm
https://ibb.co/e8789m
https://ibb.co/n884h6
https://ibb.co/nqmDaR
https://ibb.co/gzTgUm