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BE Kinsale 226 Timetable Shenanigans

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  • 09-12-2023 5:11pm
    #1
    Covidhaveago
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭


    To set the scene, after many delays, in the past few months a new service (the 228) operated by the West Cork Connect operator was launched between Kinsale and Cork City via the N71. These services are timetabled to leave Kinsale at 30mins past the hour.

    BE’s existing service (the 226) leaves Kinsale on the hour.

    The shenanigans began when BE recently announced a timetable revision whereby their 226 services would now leave at 15 mins past the hour. This timetable was due to come into effect from tomorrow and their website was updated accordingly.

    Per discussion on local FB pages, the operator of the 228 flagged this timetable change to the NTA who’ve now put a stop to it and BE’s website has reverted back to the original timetable.

    Seemingly, BE have attempted to unilaterally amend the 226 timetable in an attempt to undercut the 228 service until the NTA put the kibosh on it. What are BE thinking? Like in many parts of the country, the existing BE Kinsale service has been dealing with cancellations due to lack of drivers and oversubscribed services, yet here they are trying to undercut a private operator which is taking the heat off of BE.



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    #2
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,586 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    Think there is more to it than meets the eye as the NTA themselves had the new and now pulled timetable on their journey planner earlier in the week so someone must have done that.

    Therefore the idea that nobody knew about it in the NTA until the private operator told them seems far-fetched.



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    #3
    LXFlyer
    Registered Users Posts: 17,546 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058326271/be-kinsale-226-timetable-shenanigans

    The Bus Éireann 226 route is a PSO service contracted by the NTA - they would have to sign off on any timetable changes in advance.

    To be clear, the NTA dictate what schedules operate on PSO routes, not Bus Éireann.



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    #4
    Covidhaveago
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭Covidhaveago


    @devnull You may well be correct. The private operator in question has previously made public statements blaming the NTA and the Green Party for the long gestation period from the announcement of the route to it becoming operational.

    It is a mystery how it got to a point where the revised BE timetable was signed off but then subsequently pulled.



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    #5
    Covidhaveago
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭Covidhaveago


    latest shenanigans in the area, the private operator which launched a Kinsale>Cork service via Ballinhassig and the west of the city has now announced they are revising the route to follow the same route as the BE service minus stopping in the airport and business park.

    It appears from their social media posts that they’ve got NTA approval for the change. I have to say I’m surprised they’ve got this given that it in effect cannibalises the BE route.




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