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Coronavirus and the effect on Public transport

  • 14-03-2020 12:00pm
    #1
    Foweva Awone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭


    I think it's seriously crappy and irresponsible to be shutting down public transport services. Apart from anything else, what about medical professionals who are reliant on public transport to get to work? Or long term illness patients who need to get to hospital appointments?

    I do realise the drivers need to protect themselves, but masks and gloves and minimal cash handling would greatly reduce any risk.


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Comments

  • #2
    Thrashssacre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭Thrashssacre


    Foweva Awone wrote: »
    I think it's seriously crappy and irresponsible to be shutting down public transport services. Apart from anything else, what about medical professionals who are reliant on public transport to get to work? Or long term illness patients who need to get to hospital appointments?

    I do realise the drivers need to protect themselves, but masks and gloves and minimal cash handling would greatly reduce any risk.

    These are basically all just college services that are being shut down.


  • #3
    thomasj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,833 ✭✭✭thomasj


    I was just thinking , given how quiet it is at the moment , I think Irish Rail will probably switch to Saturday mode within the next week or so.

    Likewise with Dublin bus and probably xpresso services being cut?

    Couldn't get over Friday , it felt like the days just after Christmas

    What do ye think


  • #4
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,490 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    There is a sticky thread at the top of the page covering this exact topic.


  • #5
    thomasj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,833 ✭✭✭thomasj


    Oh right , sorry I thought that was information only


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,490 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    thomasj wrote: »
    Oh right , sorry I thought that was information only

    I get what you're saying. If you want a 'discussion' where you invite uninformed speculation (and the spreading of false rumours) then go ahead. Don't see the point though.

    We are in completely uncharted territory so I'd suggest you wait for announcements from the relevent operators. Which will get posted in the sticky thread.


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  • #7
    dartboardio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    I will be using public transport as normal today, into town to get some food with my family.

    Everyone seems to be under the impression that ireland is in lockdown and no one should go outside the door.

    Until that is an official warning or guideline from our government, carry on as normal

    Unless obviously you're of compromised health anyway or elderly.

    So many people freaking out and locking themselves in their homes that are fit young and healthy.


  • #8
    Zebra3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,946 ✭✭✭✭Zebra3


    But it's not carry on as normal!!!!


  • #9
    Sultan of Bling
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭Sultan of Bling


    dartboardio wrote:
    So many people freaking out and locking themselves in their homes that are fit young and healthy.


    Who's locking themselves in their homes. Plenty of people out and about in my area this morning.

    It's people's choice if they want to stay at home or not. Just do what you want to do and don't worry about the rest of us, we'll be fine.


  • #10
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,490 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    dartboardio wrote: »
    I will be using public transport as normal today, into town to get some food with my family.

    It would be far more responsible of you to walk or get in your car and drive to the nearest supermarket. Using public transport helps to spread the virus - you may be infected now but not know it. And the same applies to the person sitting beside you.
    dartboardio wrote: »
    Until that is an official warning or guideline from our government, carry on as normal

    Absolutely not. You clearly haven't been listening.

    What is required by society as a whole is to slow the spread of the virus. We do that by limiting social contact and that includes avoiding needless contact with groups of people, either in the pub or on public transport.

    Even if the same number of people eventually get infected, by spreading the onset across the population to a longer period of time, we avoid overwhelming the health services with a massive spike of cases.

    Where we end up in a situation where doctors and nurses (as in Italy) have to treat people in field hospitals (aka tents) and have to make life or death decisions like who gets a ventilator and who doesn't.


  • #11
    Seamai
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,250 ✭✭✭Seamai


    I've been lucky enough to arrange lifts and avoid using public transport for the time being. I know there will be people who wont have any choice in the matter but hopefully with less people using public transport due to schools being closed and people working from home it wont be so stressful for those who need to.


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  • #12
    dartboardio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    Sultan of Bling wrote: »
    Who's locking themselves in their homes. Plenty of people out and about in my area this morning.

    It's people's choice if they want to stay at home or not. Just do what you want to do and don't worry about the rest of us, we'll be fine.

    Plenty around in my area too, but there is Plenty of scaremongering going on on Facebook 'Corona Virus Updates Ireland'

    People saying 'ahhh the army is going to be patrolling the streets on monday' no one is allowed leave their house'


    Madness.


  • #13
    Dodge
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,308 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    dartboardio wrote: »


    Madness.

    It’s also madness that you only act on government instructions

    Literally everybody has said it’s best to limit social interactions and make as few journeys as possible

    What you’re saying is that you won’t listen to advice but as soon as you’re told not to do something by the govt, you’ll stop.

    Take a bit of personal responsibility and make as few journeys as possible. That way when you do make them, you’re less likely to be on a crowded bus

    It’s not about ‘locking down’, it’s about everyone doing less so we don’t have to lock down


  • #14
    Better Than Christ
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,135 ✭✭✭Better Than Christ


    As a driver, I'm happy to carry on working and I hope services aren't cancelled at any point. My routes carry a lot of medical professionals, carers and outpatients.

    However, I strongly resent the fact that (as things currently stand) I'm going to be driving drunk people home from pubs on Tuesday night. Not sure how I'm going to hide my contempt for them, tbh.


  • #15
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    MOD: We will keep this thread exclusively for discussion of the topic and use the sticky thread above for updates only. Thanks everyone.

    Updates here:
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058061356#


  • #16
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    It is certainly a difficult situation.

    On the one hand, you need to keep public transport going so that the Doctors, nurses and all the staff who work at Supermarkets, Pharmacies, etc. can get to work.

    On the other hand it will be difficult for companies to keep going given the fall off in work. They could implement a Sunday timetable, but then that has possible infection impacts as you are squeezing more people onto one bus, etc. More buses, etc. mean more social distancing is possible on service.

    The government will likely need to step in to keep services going given the fall off of revenue.


  • #17
    Better Than Christ
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,135 ✭✭✭Better Than Christ


    bk wrote: »
    On the other hand it will be difficult for companies to keep going given the fall off in work. They could implement a Sunday timetable, but then that has possible infection impacts as you are squeezing more people onto one bus, etc. More buses, etc. mean more social distancing is possible on service..

    Maybe there should be a Saturday service. A lot of people still need to get to work early, and Saturday timetables would largely facilitate that, while Sunday ones wouldn't. Also, the number of buses would be lower than on a weekday, but less sparse than Sundays.


  • #18
    whisky_galore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,512 ✭✭✭✭whisky_galore


    dartboardio wrote: »
    Plenty around in my area too, but there is Plenty of scaremongering going on on Facebook 'Corona Virus Updates Ireland'

    People saying 'ahhh the army is going to be patrolling the streets on monday' no one is allowed leave their house'


    Madness.

    Stick to official sites for info, not Facebook Mummies.

    Union bosses were discussing curtailing services, which is nuts from a social distancing pov. Hopefully they've come to their senses.


  • #19
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Better Than Christ wrote: »
    Maybe there should be a Saturday service. A lot of people still need to get to work early, and Saturday timetables would largely facilitate that, while Sunday ones wouldn't. Also, the number of buses would be lower than on a weekday, but less sparse than Sundays.

    Excellent point on early start times, very true.


  • #20
    Drumpot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,306 ✭✭✭✭Drumpot


    https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/david-mcwilliams-why-central-bank-must-give-everyone-free-money-right-now-1.4201160?mode=amp&mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2F1.4201160

    David McWilliams solution .....

    you-get-money-meme-oprah.jpg


  • #21
    spatchco
    Registered Users Posts: 388 ✭✭spatchco


    was on the 11 bus into town i was the only one on the bus no one at any of the stops not even DCU and i will go in again when i need to


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  • #22
    zell12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,996 ✭✭✭✭zell12


    Buses are sparsely occupied the last two days.
    Cannot see the bus companies continuing in business long with such low usage


  • #23
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,490 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    zell12 wrote: »
    Buses are sparsely occupied the last two days.
    Cannot see the bus companies continuing in business long with such low usage

    Most of them have taken action which varies from a complete cancellation of all services, withdrawal of services to third level colleges, reversion to a winter timetable or reduced services.

    Was going to mention which operators are taking those actions but decided it's better to include a link to the sticky thread where you can find the latest updates to services as a result of the virus.


  • #24
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,684 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    According to the NTA, demand was 15-20% down on Friday.


  • #25
    Mr.Frame
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 766 ✭✭✭Mr.Frame


    Given that taxis are usually the first port of call for passengers that arrive in at airports. Surely then, it stands to reason that airport taxi drivers are at a higher degree of risk from catching the virus.? The 1-2 meters of social distancing cannot be adhered to. Should taxis withdraw their services on health grounds??
    I know a number of Dublin airport taxi drivers who have stopped working for this reason.


  • #26
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,167 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Mr.Frame wrote: »
    I know a number of Dublin airport taxi drivers who have stopped working for this reason.
    i would think it's a no-brainer for any taxi driver with underlying health issues to park up for a while. also, you'll have a bundle of people coming back from cheltenham, and i'd be wary about being around them regardless.

    how busy is the airport for the last couple of days?


  • #27
    Fizzy Duck
    Registered Users Posts: 189 ✭✭Fizzy Duck


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    how busy is the airport for the last couple of days?

    As a driver on the 16/41 it is noticeably a lot quieter at the Airport and in general. I'd be concerned however on Friday at the amount of teenagers using this time off to gather socially when it's not really the reason they are off school.


  • #28
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    I strongly feel that busses should continue a full a service. If usage is down it will allow people to practice social distanceing on the busses.


  • #29
    Ironicname
    Registered Users Posts: 1,177 ✭✭✭Ironicname


    dartboardio wrote:
    Until that is an official warning or guideline from our government, carry on as normal

    People like you need to be forced into compliance rather than make sensible personal choices.

    Sad that the minority are going to make what's coming worse for the majority who are taking every precaution they can.


  • #30
    Kyleboy
    Registered Users Posts: 243 ✭✭Kyleboy


    CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »
    I strongly feel that busses should continue a full a service. If usage is down it will allow people to practice social distanceing on the busses.

    What happens when people don't practice social distancing on a bus? Will you be volunteering to make sure it's enforced?


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  • #31
    thenightman
    Registered Users Posts: 561 ✭✭✭thenightman


    zell12 wrote: »
    Buses are sparsely occupied the last two days.
    Cannot see the bus companies continuing in business long with such low usage


    My bus was slightly less crowded on Friday morning so I managed to get a seat by myself with no one in front or behind me and open a window (no others were open, inexplicably). In the evening it was standing room only as usual. This bus is hourly as it is, and my employer has told us its business as usual. The driver on the evening bus was wearing what appeared to be gardening gloves too.


    Be interesting to see what it's like in the morning.


  • #32
    dartboardio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,436 ✭✭✭dartboardio


    Ironicname wrote: »
    People like you need to be forced into compliance rather than make sensible personal choices.

    Sad that the minority are going to make what's coming worse for the majority who are taking every precaution they can.


    Look, I'm seeing people get absolutely abused on forums like this, or Facebook even, just for taking a walk on the beach with their family.

    At the moment the numbers are rising, but yes it is still relatively low risk in ireland.

    People are free to go for their walks in the park or on the beach, because when or if a lockdown is announced, they will be couped up in their homes for weeks on end.

    So kill me for saying go out for that walk or day out, right now while you can.

    While taking all precautions, hand washing, keeping distance..


  • #33
    gmisk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,302 ✭✭✭✭gmisk


    Due to get the Enterprise next Saturday morning.

    Just wondering if anyone has been on it recently...is it busy etc.


  • #34
    Ironicname
    Registered Users Posts: 1,177 ✭✭✭Ironicname


    dartboardio wrote:
    Look, I'm seeing people get absolutely abused on forums like this, or Facebook even, just for taking a walk on the beach with their family.

    Fair enough. I didn't say that though.
    dartboardio wrote:
    At the moment the numbers are rising, but yes it is still relatively low risk in ireland.

    No it's not. Relatively low risk as in its not as bad as Spain or Italy at the moment but the risk is still high.
    dartboardio wrote:
    People are free to go for their walks in the park or on the beach, because when or if a lockdown is announced, they will be couped up in their homes for weeks on end.

    I never said they weren't.
    dartboardio wrote:
    So kill me for saying go out for that walk or day out, right now while you can.

    I never did.
    dartboardio wrote:
    While taking all precautions, hand washing, keeping distance..

    Or staying off public transport and not saying that it is business as usual and life goes on normally.

    It doesn't at the moment. And waiting for the government to forbid you to do something is not taking every available precaution.


  • #35
    Infini
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,573 ✭✭✭Infini


    devnull wrote: »
    According to the NTA, demand was 15-20% down on Friday.

    Definately calling Bullshìt on that stat I saw empty seats on morning rush hour trains in the middle of town and numbers are down significantly would put it closer to 40-50% less people around, with pubs closing now I'm expecting a 50%+ dropoff in the next few days.

    I'd expect public transport to scale back to a Saturday service after Paddys day with few exceptions there simply won't be any point or demand in maintaining a full weekday service till this all burns out in a month or 2 and no I dont expect this to blow over in 2 weeks but far longer than that.


  • #36
    Jem72
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭Jem72


    I'd guess that the use of public transport will drop significantly given that so many office workers are working from home. But cutting services is not the answer. The level of service needs to be maintained so that those who have to travel have enough space to implement some form of social distancing.

    Given that this is an unprecedented situation the government will have to step in with some extra payments to cover the increased operational costs. The service is still necessary for those who absolutely have to travel but the priority should be to reduce traffic so that no more than 50% of seats are occupied. Cutting back services won't help this.

    Personally, I don't think I'll chance getting public transport for the next few weeks. The level of crowding is completely out of kilter with what is being allowed anywhere else.


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  • #37
    thenightman
    Registered Users Posts: 561 ✭✭✭thenightman


    Bus is a about 40% full this morning. Still a few familiar faces from the commute, but mainly older people going shopping. Disturbingly, was also 4 German tourists, cameras dangled around neck and all, from the hotel near me. Fairly selfish.


  • #38
    Infini
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,573 ✭✭✭Infini


    thenightman wrote: »
    Bus is a about 40% full this morning. Still a few familiar faces from the commute, but mainly older people going shopping. Disturbingly, was also 4 German tourists, cameras dangled around neck and all, from the hotel near me. Fairly selfish.

    I'd say those tourists are leftovers who just had the rotten luck of travelling as this all kicked off, I'll expect them all to dissapear in a week or so expecially since many EU countries are starting to close borders to slow down this virus. Little point in going on holidays now with everything closing down.


  • #39
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,684 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    I can't see current levels of service lasting.

    That's even without a full lockdown


  • #40
    cherryghost
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,135 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    Bus should be enforced to run at half capacity anyway if they are to continue running, ie one person to a 2 seater.


  • #41
    thenightman
    Registered Users Posts: 561 ✭✭✭thenightman


    Forgot to mention, the driver had the little holes in the screen door to the cab stuffed up with bits of rubber glove. Assume that as he's still breathing, it isn't stopping anything.

    Just goes to show bus drivers are worried for their health. I know there's been lots of praise (rightly) for emergency service workers, but bus drivers are unsung heroes too in my opinion.


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  • #42
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    thenightman wrote: »
    Forgot to mention, the driver had the little holes in the screen door to the cab stuffed up with bits of rubber glove. Assume that as he's still breathing, it isn't stopping anything.

    Just goes to show bus drivers are worried for their health. I know there's been lots of praise (rightly) for emergency service workers, but bus drivers are unsung heroes too in my opinion.

    Lots of folk out there, outside of the obvious ones, doing vital work to keep the country going.

    People working in supermarkets, pharmacies, factories, agriculture, all steps of the supply chain, working in power plants, water treatment plants, ISP's and datacenters, etc., etc.

    Things will get much worse if any of these fail. Hopefully this is a reminder to everyone of the vital work all these people play in our lives.

    For the rest of us, the most "heroic" thing we can do, is stay at home if we can and stay out of everyone elses way.

    For Bus Drivers, I wonder if they could jerryrig a complete shield for the drivers cab. Big plastic sheet might do the job. Perhaps temporarily cancel fare collection, turn it into something more like the Luas.

    Which has me thinking, I assume they have suspended ticket checking on the Luas and Dart.


  • #43
    d51984
    Registered Users Posts: 934 ✭✭✭d51984


    Dublin Coach finishing up tonight.

    Its a disgrace Joe!



  • #44
    dashcamdanny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭dashcamdanny


    Both Unions are advising members not to accept fairs on the Wayfarer machine. Just wave people by. Pointless really. Lots of drivers refusing to take orders from the union.

    Half assed idea .


  • #45
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,684 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    dashcamdanny wrote: »
    Both Unions are advising members not to accept fairs on the Wayfarer machine. Just wave people by. Pointless really. Lots of drivers refusing to take orders from the union.

    Half assed idea .

    Just use disposable gloves. That's what drivers in UK are doing.

    No reason to not accept fares.


  • #46
    Stark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,034 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    On Dublin bus, they should probably set the machine that's away from the driver can to minimum fare and direct all leap card users towards that.


  • #47
    dashcamdanny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭dashcamdanny


    devnull wrote: »
    Just use disposable gloves. That's what drivers in UK are doing.

    No reason to not accept fares.

    If the want to bring this in, then a middle door only policy needs to be brought in with it. And tape off the driver area completely.

    Pointless otherwise.


  • #48
    0gac3yjefb5sv7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,948 ✭✭✭0gac3yjefb5sv7


    If there was a lockdown/shut down of public transport, would they have to give a few days notice so people could get home e.g Cork to Dublin?


  • #49
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    devnull wrote: »
    Just use disposable gloves. That's what drivers in UK are doing.

    No reason to not accept fares.

    Unfortunately disposable gloves are only of limited help in this situation. Infected person touches money, hands it to gloved driver, gloved driver then touches their face with the glove and the virus moves from glove to face.

    Healtcare workers have been repeating over and over that people are using gloves in the wrong manner and it gives a false sense of security.

    Of course this doesn't apply to DB drivers, who rarely touch the money, the issue is more that given the current position of the ticket machines, you can't really seal off the cab like you have on Luas/DART, which would be ideal solution in this situation.

    It is a pity that the transport companies/government don't have a stock pile of FFP2R masks, they would help a lot in this situation.


  • #50
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Pheonix10 wrote: »
    If there was a lockdown/shut down of public transport, would they have to give a few days notice so people could get home e.g Cork to Dublin?

    I wouldn't bet on that and some companies like GoBus between Cork and Dublin have already shutdown.


  • #51
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,684 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    bk wrote: »
    Unfortunately disposable gloves are only of limited help in this situation. Infected person touches money, hands it to gloved driver, gloved driver then touches their face with the glove and the virus moves from glove to face.

    I'm in the UK right now and the vast majority of bus operators seem to be using gloves and getting buses cleaned at the end of every lap and running extra vehicles to ensure handrails etc are cleaned at the end of each journey.

    None of these operators are handling cash and the one I know who is handling cash and are asking everyone for contactless and if someone wants to pay in cash they are going through the coin hopper.


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