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Bus Eireann - is this normal?

  • 10-08-2018 09:57PM
    #1
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,121 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    My 16 year old daughter was travelling alone on the 4pm service from Cork to Dublin Airport this evening. When the bus reached Busaras all other passengers disembarked. The driver then informed her that he wasn't going to Dublin Airport with one passenger and told her to get an alternative bus. She told him she wasn't familiar with BE services so he pointed to a Donegal bus and suggested she get on it as it was going via the airport. That driver said he was going on his break and wouldn't be leaving for an hour.

    She's a quiet girl and wouldn't have the wherewithal to stand up for herself. She also not accustomed to travelling by bus so was a bit upset about the whole thing.

    To add insult to injury, in her flustered state, she left her ticket on the first bus and the second driver said he wouldn't be bringing her without a ticket.
    She wasn't getting a flight but it may have been awkward for anyone who was.

    Is it normal for a driver to terminate a service if there is only one passenger?

    Thanks.


«13456

Comments

  • #2
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,095 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    "Please fill in our webform..."

    Sooner GA take over from the former CIEs the better.


  • #3
    TheQuietFella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭TheQuietFella


    Wishbone Ash wrote: »
    Hi all,

    My 16 year old daughter was travelling alone on the 4pm service from Cork to Dublin Airport this evening. When the bus reached Busaras all other passengers disembarked. The driver then informed her that he wasn't going to Dublin Airport with one passenger and told her to get an alternative bus. She told him she wasn't familiar with BE services so he pointed to a Donegal bus and suggested she get on it as it was going via the airport. That driver said he was going on his break and wouldn't be leaving for an hour.

    She's a quiet girl and wouldn't have the wherewithal to stand up for herself. She also not accustomed to travelling by bus so was a bit upset about the whole thing.

    To add insult to injury, in her flustered state, she left her ticket on the first bus and the second driver said he wouldn't be bringing her without a ticket.
    She wasn't getting a flight but it may have been awkward for anyone who was.

    Is it normal for a driver to terminate a service if there is only one passenger?

    Thanks.

    Ridiculous post!


  • #4
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,905 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    ED E wrote: »
    "Please fill in our webform..."

    Sooner GA take over from the former CIEs the better.

    GA are only taking over 6 BE certain routes. The Dublin-Cork route is not one of them either.


  • #5
    boombang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭boombang


    TheQuietFella wrote: »
    Ridiculous post!

    Why?


  • #6
    zoe 3619
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 633 ✭✭✭zoe 3619


    TheQuietFella wrote: »
    Ridiculous post!

    Could you expand on that?


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  • #7
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,905 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    Are GoBE and Aircoach not the better bet from Dublin to Cork


  • #8
    Franz Von Peppercorn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,070 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn


    call them. thats atrocious behaviour.


  • #9
    Peregrinus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 27,797 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    It's not unreasonable that a transport operator should be able to made adjustments in response to patterns of demand so as to operate efficiently. It makes no sense at all to run an entire bus out to the Airport and back for the convenience of just one passenger if there are other buses going out to which she can transfer. So merging two services into one, and asking the passengers from one to transfer, is basically reasonable.

    But if they are going to do this, they have to do it properly. It's outrageous to ask passengers to wait an hour for a connecting service; you have to transfer them to a service that will get them to their destination at or close to the scheduled time. And when the affected passenger is a minor, I think they have a responsibility to assist her in making the transfer if she needs assistance.

    I'd complain about this, definitely.


  • #10
    Cookie_Monster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 24,636 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    Peregrinus wrote: »
    It's not unreasonable that a transport operator should be able to made adjustments in response to patterns of demand so as to operate efficiently. It makes no sense at all to run an entire bus out to the Airport and back for the convenience of just one passenger if there are other buses going out to which she can transfer. So merging two services into one, and asking the passengers from one to transfer, is basically reasonable.

    But if they are going to do this, they have to do it properly. It's outrageous to ask passengers to wait an hour for a connecting service; you have to transfer them to a service that will get them to their destination at or close to the scheduled time. And when the affected passenger is a minor, I think they have a responsibility to assist her in making the transfer if she needs assistance.

    I'd complain about this, definitely.

    if the bus is scheduled to run the the airport it's more than likely scheduled to start its next run from there. So it's not just that one passenger, they could be leaving X number stranded at the airport due to a missing departure as well.

    Pretty poor stuff from BE and the driver in particular. I wouldn't let it go, complain to BE and the NTA


  • #11
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,905 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    Cookie_Monster wrote: »
    if the bus is scheduled to run the the airport it's more than likely scheduled to start its next run from there. So it's not just that one passenger, they could be leaving X number stranded at the airport due to a missing departure as well.

    Pretty poor stuff from BE and the driver in particular. I wouldn't let it go, complain to BE and the NTA

    But perhaps that bus was due to go back to depot after the driver finished their shift. If it was due to do a return trip from the airport the driver would probably have gone there.

    The driver should have been more more proactive and he should told the girl not to forget her ticket and assisted her with any bags etc. but in principal I see where he's coming from, it would be a waste of fuel if the bus went to the airport and if there was another bus going there at the same time.

    It's happened a few times on DB buses where if buses are bunched together the bus with the fewer passengers is transferred on to the other bus it makes if it's properly communicated. I've also been transferred on the Luas at Sandyford and the DART at Bray when coming from Greystones it's not a big deal.


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  • #12
    Curb Your Enthusiasm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,498 ✭✭✭Curb Your Enthusiasm


    Happened to me on a BE Cork City service too.

    https://touch.boards.ie/thread/post/105999563


  • #13
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I’m a regular user of this bus. It rarely goes to Airport. I’m always shown to another bus by the driver. My ticket is never checked. The driver rings ahead to check what, if any bus his passengers should take. That bus then waits and passengers told which one to get.


  • #14
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,896 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    TheQuietFella wrote: »
    Ridiculous post!

    If you don't have something constructive to say, don't say anything at all - we expect better standards of posting from around here.


  • #15
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,121 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Thanks for the replies all.

    I can perfectly understand BE transferring a passenger to another service that's going in the same direction at roughly the same time but to just tell a passenger (especially a minor who isn't familiar with buses or Busaras) to get another bus is shoddy. I'd expect the driver to escort her to the alternative bus and to explain the situation to the other driver.

    The cynic in me thinks it's nothing to do with saving fuel but more likely that the driver saw it as an opportunity to finish his shift earlier.



    TheQuietFella wrote: »
    Ridiculous post!
    Please enlighten me!


  • #16
    Franz Von Peppercorn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,070 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn


    Surely he also has a duty of care to minors.


  • #17
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »
    Surely he also has a duty of care to minors.

    How was the driver to know that he was carrying an unaccompanied minor?

    As I already posted, I and family members use this bus (assuming it’s the 4pm 8X) on a regular basis over the past 4 years. The driver always knows if he’s got Airport passengers. I’ve heard him umpteen times ring ahead with his ETA and to check if he’d any bus heading to Airport. There’s always a porter on hand to point out what bus to get on. If there’s no bus available, the driver continues on himself, although this is rare.


  • #18
    john boye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,767 ✭✭✭john boye


    If you've paid for an expressway trip to the airport then you're entitled to expect an express trip to the airport and not be turfed off and wait for another bus.


  • #19
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,121 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Deleted User wrote: »
    How was the driver to know that he was carrying an unaccompanied minor?...
    He may not have know that she was a minor but she was the only passenger left on the bus and was approached by the driver while she waited in her seat to travel onwards to the airport.

    (My daughter didn't hear him making any contact with Busaras in advance, but then again, she wouldn't have been listening out for it. Like most teenagers, she probably had earphones in place anyway).


  • #20
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,896 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    Deleted User wrote: »
    As I already posted, I and family members use this bus (assuming it’s the 4pm 8X) on a regular basis over the past 4 years. The driver always knows if he’s got Airport passengers. I’ve heard him umpteen times ring ahead with his ETA and to check if he’d any bus heading to Airport. There’s always a porter on hand to point out what bus to get on. If there’s no bus available, the driver continues on himself, although this is rare.

    The bus should go to the airport itself because that is how it is timetabled to do so, the passengers should not have to be turfed out and get on or wait for another bus to connect them to the airport, the passenger should come before any staff convenience.

    But on the other hand management shouldn't even tolerate such practice, they should roster the driver for the entire route and if he is rostered then he should do the whole route regardless of how many passengers are onboard.


  • #21
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Wishbone Ash wrote: »
    He may not have know that she was a minor but she was the only passenger left on the bus and was approached by the driver while she waited in her seat to travel onwards to the airport.

    (My daughter didn't hear him making any contact with Busaras in advance, but then again, she wouldn't have been listening out for it. Like most teenagers, she probably had earphones in place anyway).

    The wearing of headphones might explain the confusion. Believe me when I say that they always inform passengers of the bus change and show them which bus to get. They cannot leave someone waiting an hour if they’ve got a plane to catch.


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  • #22
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    devnull wrote: »
    The bus should go to the airport itself because that is how it is timetabled to do so, the passengers should not have to be turfed out and get on or wait for another bus to connect them to the airport, the passenger should come before any staff convenience.

    But on the other hand management shouldn't even tolerate such practice, they should roster the driver for the entire route and if he is rostered then he should do the whole route regardless of how many passengers are onboard.

    Where is the logic in one bus going to the airport with one passenger when another is going at the same time with empty seats?


  • #23
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,896 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Where is the logic in one bus going to the airport with one passenger when another is going at the same time with empty seats?

    Do you think that buses should follow timetables or they should be able to ignore them if there is not enough passengers on the bus and tell them there is not enough people on the bus?

    Also there have been occasions that I have heard about where passengers have had to get out and wait for another bus for up to 10 minutes which is unacceptable when the bus they are on is scheduled to go to their destination.

    Try looking at it from the passengers point of view rather than that of the company and the staff. What if the passenger had limited mobility? Getting on one bus and on another would inconvenience them.


  • #24
    wirelessdude01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,462 ✭✭✭wirelessdude01


    Would guess there may have also been an element of child protection here, both for the child and the driver. Was badly handled by the driver though.


  • #25
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    devnull wrote: »
    Do you think that buses should follow timetables or they should be able to ignore them if there is not enough passengers on the bus and tell them there is not enough people on the bus?

    Also there have been occasions that I have heard about where passengers have had to get out and wait for another bus for up to 10 minutes which is unacceptable when the bus they are on is scheduled to go to their destination.

    Try looking at it from the passengers point of view rather than that of the company and the staff. What if the passenger had limited mobility? Getting on one bus and on another would inconvenience them.

    If the passengers get to their destination on time, I see no problem with changing at Busaras. If there’s no bus leaving within minutes of our arrival at Busaras, then the original bus continues on.

    As regards child protection, did the bus driver know that he was carrying an unaccompanied minor?


  • #26
    end of the road
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,539 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    ED E wrote: »
    "Sooner GA take over from the former CIEs the better.

    won't be happening. GA will only ever have a certain amount of routes, and they are effectively told how the routes must operate by the NTA. they haven't even started to operate any routes yet.

    I'm very highly educated. I know words, i have the best words, nobody has better words then me.



  • #27
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,611 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    If the passengers get to their destination on time, I see no problem with changing at Busaras. If there’s no bus leaving within minutes of our arrival at Busaras, then the original bus continues on.

    As regards child protection, did the bus driver know that he was carrying an unaccompanied minor?

    Is an express service ticket not more expensive?


  • #28
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Patww79 wrote: »
    Is an express service ticket not more expensive?

    I don’t know. This is the only one I use. I don’t think it’s an express service as it has a number of stops.


  • #29
    john boye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,767 ✭✭✭john boye


    end of the road wrote: »
    won't be happening. GA will only ever have a certain amount of routes, and they are effectively told how the routes must operate by the NTA.

    Hopefully they'll actually operate the routes as advertised.


  • #30
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,905 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    devnull wrote: »
    The bus should go to the airport itself because that is how it is timetabled to do so, the passengers should not have to be turfed out and get on or wait for another bus to connect them to the airport, the passenger should come before any staff convenience.

    But on the other hand management shouldn't even tolerate such practice, they should roster the driver for the entire route and if he is rostered then he should do the whole route regardless of how many passengers are onboard.

    How do you it was for staff convience, perhaps the driver was only following orders from the inspector on duty. We don't know the full story here there could be a maintence defect with the bus meaning it needed to go back to the depot as soon as possible.


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  • #31
    BarryD2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,722 ✭✭✭BarryD2


    Report the incident with the time and route of the bus etc. Get this investigated and if applicable this driver should get their ass burnt. That's no way to treat a fare paying passenger of minor age.


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