Red Warning - Transport mostly operating, buses/Luas running but limited DART and train services

bk · 24-01-2025 02:33PM

115 Dublin Buses out now and 147 BE, so service is picking up, but still far off normal. No Luas, DART or Trains still.

p_haugh · 24-01-2025 02:49PM

Would be a while for Luas & trains to be back running I'd say. Lots of infrastructure to check before they can allow services to restart. Nevermind any potential downed wiring due to fallen trees etc!

coylemj · 24-01-2025 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123094968#Comment_123094968

+1 The issue for both Irish Rail and Luas is that a downed power line (Dart) or a blockage on a track brings that service to a halt whereas buses can be diverted around obstacles like fallen trees.

So DB back on the road much quicker, with some curtailments & limitations. That's the same link as BK included in post #60 above.

The Mathematician · 24-01-2025 04:21PM

Unfortunately the TFI App was no use this morning, it was showing buses as running when they weren't. It is this sort of lack of attention to detail that we need to fix if we are going to encourage people to use public transport. I wonder how many people were waiting in vain at bus stops due to this.

Of course I wouldn't expect extra people to come into work during a red warning, but this is the sort of thing that can be done from home.

Citrus_8 · 24-01-2025 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095339#Comment_123095339

I agree. I would never rely on the real time screens in the bus stops and always use bustimes.org to see the buses on the map.

bk · 24-01-2025 04:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095173#Comment_123095173

Yes, people were only saying yesterday that it should be easy for Trains/Luas top operate through a storm 🙄

Of course as you say, all it takes it one tree down on a line, overhead cable or signalling box to take out a whole train/tram route. It takes time to send out people to check a whole line, fix any issues etc.

By comparison, with buses, once drivers can make it to the depot, much easier to send them out and see how it goes. If they meet a downed tree, in the city at least ,pretty easy to divert around it and report it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095339#Comment_123095339

Strictly speaking they were showing them as "Scheduled" which those in the know would know it means they aren't running. But I agree it is very poor communication. The app should have been highlighting that services weren't running. The current RTPI system really doesn't work well under unusual circumstances like a storm or St Patricks Day, etc.

I'd always recommend people use bustimes.org or the map view on the Transit App to see if their service is actually running during such times.

mikeybhoy · 24-01-2025 04:52PM

So i was right the storm was nowhere near as bad they all predicted in Dublin at least. Definitely didn't warrant a red warning.

coylemj · 24-01-2025 04:52PM

Dublin Bus tweeted at 15:21 that 90% of their services are running.

No update from Irish Rail since 13:30. City centre pubs and restaurants must be getting worried at this stage.

Luas just tweeted (15:51) that red and green lines services have resumed.

The Mathematician · 24-01-2025 05:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095366#Comment_123095366

No, it was worse than that, for the one I looked at (the S6), they were showing as running with the times counting down.

bk · 24-01-2025 05:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095492#Comment_123095492

I assume you mean the RTPI screens? Yes, those countdowns were based on the scheduled times, not the real time tracking. Unfortunately the RTPI screens don't differentiate, the TFI Live app has (Scheduled) next to the countdown, from which you can guess it most likely isn't coming.

bk · 24-01-2025 05:09PM

Luas back up and running.

coylemj · 24-01-2025 05:12PM

Big update from Irish Rail at 16:00 …

The following lines have reopened:
- Cork to Cobh/Midleton
- Cork to Tralee
- Dublin Heuston to Cork, Limerick and Tralee
- Dublin to Portlaoise Commuter
- Dublin to Maynooth / M3 Parkway
Line assessments are continuing on the following routes:
- Dublin Heuston to Waterford
- DART (fallen trees on overhead lines at Booterstown currently being addressed)
- Drogheda Commuter
- Dublin Connolly to Sligo, Rosslare and Dundalk
- Limerick to Galway
Not reopening / unlikely to reopen today
- Dublin to Belfast cancelled for remainder of today, as Status Red is continuing in Northern Ireland
- Dublin to Galway/Westport/Ballina not expected to resume today due to level crossing damage, fallen trees and power outages.
- Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh, Limerick Junction to Waterford not expected to resume today.

LINK

The Mathematician · 24-01-2025 05:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095518#Comment_123095518

No, I mean the App (I didn't leave the house, I just had a look for interest), and no, they didn't have scheduled next to them. They just had the countdown (in the App when scheduled is shown, there is a time shown rather than a countdown).

bk · 24-01-2025 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095636#Comment_123095636

Ah, okay, when I looked at my local stop, it had "Scheduled" for all the stops. Maybe different stops or they changed it later. Either way I totally agree poor communication.