Bus Éireann Unofficial Stops Advice

cgcsb

I have cause to take a Bus Éireann intertown service 333 from Ennis towards Kilkee, I'm not used to travelling to rural areas on public transport, so perhaps someone here can give me a steer. My destination is about 1.5km north of a designated stop but there's no footpaths according to google maps, do people here think the driver will let me off closer to my destination?

Many years ago I got a similar Bus Éireann service and the driver let people off wherever they requested but I checked recently on the website and it states explicitly that they stop only at designated stops and I suspect if I rang and asked I would just get the official policy parroted at me. I wonder is it really this strict or do drivers practice a degree of pragmatism?

As an aside, the official policy seems a little silly. It makes sense on express buses etc. but a service like this between 2 towns through a large rural area with no stops should surely be a little more flexible. Like it or not we live in a country that had no planning regulation for the 20th century so there are houses everywhere and if we want to reduce car dependence in rural Ireland there must surely be greater allowances for these types of trips.

Polar101

I'd think the driver would let you off, just as long there is a somewhat safe spot for the bus to stop. Officially I'm sure they'd say no.

Pauliedragon

It's up to the individual driver AFAIK. My uncle used to be a driver and he said they aren't supposed to stop at unofficial stops for insurance reasons but a lot of drivers will if you ask.

Vic_08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058351927/bus-eireann-unofficial-stops-advice

Can you link to where it states they only serve designated stops please.

Jamie2k9

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058351927/bus-eireann-unofficial-stops-advice

The driver would lose his job if anything happens to someone they drop at an unoffical stop. Then there is the compo culture aspect of such events if someone is injured.

It's much less common amoung drivers today to drop an unoffical stops than maybe 10-15 years ago.