Dublin Airport Bus Service Changes & Discussion

L1011 · 12-03-2020 9:04am

kenmm wrote: »

I think there is a transfer corridor tho? I don't know if its always open AND it probably would take more time than just going out side.

A: it's actually for transfer passengers only
B: it's usually closed by the afternoon

bk · 13-03-2020 12:11pm

Hmmm.. I'm wondering how this coronavirus will impact this new service.

Of course it will badly impact all public transport operators and in particular ones operating from the airport. But DX might be particularly hard hit, terrible circumstances to launch a new service into. They have invested lots in new coaches and paying big money for premium spot at Dublin airport and now might end up with empty buses for months.

Might actually be a lucky help to Aircoach that they reduced their bus stop cost at Dublin Airport and thus the overall cost of their service. Of course things at First might end up bad overall though.

p_haugh · 13-03-2020 12:41pm

Not fully related to the initial topic of this thread, but Bus Eireann have announced a significant revamp of the 133. Now a majority of the services don’t serve the airport anymore, with it only going to Connolly and terminating. There are now only 6 services that serve the airport (3 towards Dublin in the morning peak, and 3 towards Wicklow in the evening peak), which operate as the 133X. There are some more local route variations as well in the Wicklow region on top of this.

thomasj · 13-03-2020 3:43pm

And another unrelated ...

Dublin Bus 747 is reverting back to its Winter schedule from the 22nd March.

AlekSmart · 13-03-2020 8:29pm

bk wrote: »

Hmmm.. I'm wondering how this coronavirus will impact this new service.

Of course it will badly impact all public transport operators and in particular ones operating from the airport. But DX might be particularly hard hit, terrible circumstances to launch a new service into. They have invested lots in new coaches and paying big money for premium spot at Dublin airport and now might end up with empty buses for months.

Might actually be a lucky help to Aircoach that they reduced their bus stop cost at Dublin Airport and thus the overall cost of their service. Of course things at First might end up bad overall though.

I'd be less certain that DX (or it's backer National Express Group) has actually invested 'lots'.
It appears that the vehicles are cascaded from other NatX operations in the UK,and front line support staff also over on secondment.
That leaves only the Kavanagh side as a true investment,and that may also be less than it appears as Drivers may actually be employed via an agency agreement.

Coronavirus has for certain changed everything,with the only uncertainty being how much by and for how long ?

koutoubia · 13-03-2020 9:13pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

I'd be less certain that DX (or it's backer National Express Group) has actually invested 'lots'.
It appears that the vehicles are cascaded from other NatX operations in the UK,and front line support staff also over on secondment.
That leaves only the Kavanagh side as a true investment,and that may also be less than it appears as Drivers may actually be employed via an agency agreement.

Coronavirus has for certain changed everything,with the only uncertainty being how much by and for how long ?

Vehicles are very high milers but in good condition.
Yeah a lot of English front line staff here.
I dont know of any agency drivers in there.....yet!
Something is happening in there tonight judging by a message I just got.
Not due back in until early next week ...

devnull · 14-03-2020 6:06pm

koutoubia wrote: »

Vehicles are very high milers but in good condition.
Yeah a lot of English front line staff here.
I dont know of any agency drivers in there.....yet!
Something is happening in there tonight judging by a message I just got.
Not due back in until early next week ...

Very poorly explained note on the Dublin Express site

We are reducing the number of night services between Dublin Airport and Dublin City until 13 June 2020. Between midnight and 4am services will now run every hour.

Since they have three routes, each operating every hour to a 20 minute combined frequency, that is about as clear as mud. I assume that one route is running and the other two cancelled.

No doubt someone from Birmingham posting that up...

koutoubia · 16-03-2020 8:52pm

So Dublin Coach have cancelled all services and all of us in DX were told that we were not needed from end of shift onwards today.
Same with Swissport and so on etc.....

devnull · 16-03-2020 9:01pm

koutoubia wrote: »

So Dublin Coach have cancelled all services and all of us in DX were told that we were not needed from end of shift onwards today.
Same with Swissport and so on etc.....

You have been put on leave or you have lost your job? I hope it's the former.

Dublin Express have been very poor the last few days, have not bothered updating their customers, have posted very vague statements without really explaining what they actually mean and have come across as disinterested.

koutoubia · 16-03-2020 9:12pm

To be honest I dont know.
It was very vague.
We were told that we would be getting a letter for social welfare.
Whether this is the end of National Express's foray into Ireland remains to be seen.
Work on the yard is ongoing.

ax586 · 16-03-2020 9:14pm

Dublin buses Airlink is finishing up on Thursday night was confirmed today.

devnull · 16-03-2020 9:19pm

koutoubia wrote: »

To be honest I dont know.
It was very vague.
We were told that we would be getting a letter for social welfare.
Whether this is the end of National Express's foray into Ireland remains to be seen.
Work on the yard is ongoing.

Hope for your sake mate that it's just being laid off temporarily, although I guess that's not much of a crumb of comfort as returning to work there anytime soon is probably some way off anyway.

They need to do better for their staff and customers. The fact you're not sure of your future and they're still taking orders for tickets for tomorrow right now doesn't make a good picture. It makes DX appear like a side project to their main UK Operation rather than a proper foray into the market in it's own right.

I understand the rationale for ceasing services but it doesn't seem to have been handled that well.

devnull · 16-03-2020 9:21pm

ax586 wrote: »

Dublin buses Airlink is finishing up on Thursday night was confirmed today.

I would imagine Aircoach will quickly follow suit.

I'd also expect to see routes in general, including the 16/41 to switch to a Saturday timetable during the week or perhaps a skeleton service at the same time.

koutoubia · 16-03-2020 9:24pm

devnull wrote: »

Hope for your sake mate that it's just being laid off temporarily, although I guess that's not much of a crumb of comfort as returning to work there anytime soon is probably some way off anyway.

They need to do better for their staff and customers. The fact you're not sure of your future and they're still taking orders for tickets for tomorrow right now doesn't make a good picture. It makes DX appear like a side project to their main UK Operation rather than a proper foray into the market in it's own right.

Sometime in the future, be it in the near or distant future, I may go into what a f***ing s***storm the whole episode has been.

stephenjmcd · 17-03-2020 12:24am

ax586 wrote: »

Dublin buses Airlink is finishing up on Thursday night was confirmed today.

Really ? They only updated the other day to say back to a winter timetable from next weekend.

Would have expected a drop in frequency but not a complete cut in service

Jamie2k9 · 17-03-2020 12:26am

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Really ? They only updated the other day to say back to a winter timetable from next weekend.

Would have expected a drop in frequency but not a complete cut in service

Not finishing for good, traffic at Dublin Airport is down 60% and that will increase more over next few weeks.

Airlink is a commercial service.

devnull · 17-03-2020 10:32am

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Not finishing for good, traffic at Dublin Airport is down 60% and that will increase more over next few weeks.

Airlink is a commercial service.

If they're ceasing services they should stop selling tickets for dates they are not running...

soundman45 · 17-03-2020 11:32am

Anyone any info on How Aircoach are doing, will they stop sevices soon also, can't be much business for them now.

devnull · 17-03-2020 11:53am

soundman45 wrote: »

Anyone any info on How Aircoach are doing, will they stop sevices soon also, can't be much business for them now.

They've released an update this morning
https://www.aircoach.ie/news/covid19-coronavirus-information

devnull · 17-03-2020 11:58am

According to a statement from Dublin Express, they are still running.

Our services are still operating between Dublin City and Dublin Airport, however if you would like to cancel and refund your ticket you can do this via our cancellation portal , providing it is 72 hours before you are due to travel.

If you are due to travel within 72 hours and you no longer wish to travel as planned between 13 March and 13 April 2020, we will honour a change to your booking, free of charge. You will be able to amend your journey anytime within 12 months, simply complete this form to advise us of your intention to postpone your plans. Then just get in touch with us when you wish to rebook your travel* by calling our Customer Service team on +353 1 903 9508, our lines are open 08.00 – 22.00, 7 days a week. Calls are charged at local rate.

*This is valid for bookings amended onto a comparable journey. An excess fee may apply if there is a difference in fare

soundman45 · 17-03-2020 11:58am

Business as usual so, other operators are ceasing rather than run at a loss more so than any concern for employees or the public I think so fair play Aircoach for taking a huge hit and providing a full service.

koutoubia · 17-03-2020 2:44pm

devnull wrote: »

According to a statement from Dublin Express, they are still running.

I think they are running one service per hour and using the long term employee's as the drivers or the drivers from GoBus.
Not sure whether to feel bitter or glad I dodged a bullet!

bk · 17-03-2020 2:59pm

I wonder if Dublin Airport are requiring DX and others to continue to operate or loss their stops spaces.

That was an issue for airlines, they were flying empty aircraft because otherwise they would loss their landing slots at airports (which can be worth billions in the likes of Heathrow airport). The EU regulators have now suspended such rules for airlines, so they don't need to fly if empty.

bk · 17-03-2020 3:03pm

soundman45 wrote: »

Business as usual so, other operators are ceasing rather than run at a loss more so than any concern for employees or the public I think so fair play Aircoach for taking a huge hit and providing a full service.

It is a horribly difficult situation either way.

Obviously great for drivers kept on, but if they are running empty coaches, they could quickly run through their cash reserves and go bankrupt and out of business in the long term.

For the companies that have stopped services, terrible for the drivers laid off, but the companies might be in a better position to bounce back once it is over and employ those drivers in the long term.

L1011 · 18-03-2020 12:45pm

Airport Hopper ceasing on Friday according to social media posts.

coylemj · 18-03-2020 5:27pm

L1011 wrote: »

Airport Hopper ceasing on Friday according to social media posts.

There are conflicting messages on their home page. In a panel with a red banner titled 'No Service', they say ....

Aiport Hopper will stop all services starting Friday 20th March until further notice....

But at the bottom of the page there a banner which declares....

Due to COVID 19 we are suspending all the services from 19th March until 29th of March

https://airporthopper.ie/

soundman45 · 18-03-2020 5:36pm

Hopper is ceasing like everything indefinitely

GT89 · 19-03-2020 12:38am

devnull wrote: »

I would imagine Aircoach will quickly follow suit.

I'd also expect to see routes in general, including the 16/41 to switch to a Saturday timetable during the week or perhaps a skeleton service at the same time.

Remember though that the 16 and 41 serve areas other than the Airport like Swords, Santry and Beaumont. Whilst the Airlink, Dublin Express and Aircoach are only there to serve the airport. These routes would be only cut as part of a wider reduction in services throughout the network.

bk · 19-03-2020 10:15am

GT89 wrote: »

Remember though that the 16 and 41 serve areas other than the Airport like Swords, Santry and Beaumont. Whilst the Airlink, Dublin Express and Aircoach are only there to serve the airport. These routes would be only cut as part of a wider reduction in services throughout the network.

Yes, lots of medical staff living in Swords, etc. who need to get to Beaumont, Mater, Rotunda,Temple Street Hospitals. Actually probably some of the most vital routes in this regard, lots of the most important hospitals on these routes.

devnull · 19-03-2020 10:58am

GT89 wrote: »

Remember though that the 16 and 41 serve areas other than the Airport like Swords, Santry and Beaumont. Whilst the Airlink, Dublin Express and Aircoach are only there to serve the airport. These routes would be only cut as part of a wider reduction in services throughout the network.

I know but I would be surprised if there wasn't a directive to cut services on the PSO Network as well soon - I believe that this is an option that is on the table right now.

coylemj · 19-03-2020 1:34pm

Airport Hopper have clarified to me that they are ceasing from tomorrow (Fri 20th). The contradictory banner has been removed from their homepage.

All tickets purchased will be extended and valid for travelling in the future months.

Better Than Christ · 19-03-2020 1:45pm

devnull wrote: »

I know but I would be surprised if there wasn't a directive to cut services on the PSO Network as well soon - I believe that this is an option that is on the table right now.

It'll happen very soon. It's likely to be a Saturday service with a small number of extra services on routes where there is otherwise a late Saturday start.

AlekSmart · 19-03-2020 1:48pm

devnull wrote: »

I know but I would be surprised if there wasn't a directive to cut services on the PSO Network as well soon - I believe that this is an option that is on the table right now.

There are daily meetings of the Government's Covid task force,which includes both the NTA and the major providers.

Currently,and until the expert advice recommends otherwise,the normal service level is being maintained,with much focus on that level allowing for the social-seperation recommendations to be maintained.

My own experience is that most people are doing their best to maintain that distance,without prompting or otherwise.

As an observation,I would suggest that the numbers of people now resident in care/nursing homes is at it's highest ever.

A very large component of Care Home staff are non-national,living in rented accomodation and more importantly,non car owning,and i would suggest desperately in need of reassurance about their transport links.

This reassurance is an integral part of any strategy focused on dealing with this emergency.

soundman45 · 19-03-2020 8:03pm

Aircoach services update, Route 700 Leopardstown now at 30 mins intervals. 702 Greystones suspended, 703 Killiney suspended, Belfast and Cork operate as per timetable for now.

ax586 · 20-03-2020 9:57am

ax586 wrote: »

Dublin buses Airlink is finishing up on Thursday night was confirmed today.

Guys I take this back airlink is still running..

devnull · 20-03-2020 12:30pm

Dublin Express now suspended

Dublin Express - All Services suspended

Unfortunately we have had to temporarily suspend our services between Dublin Airport and Dublin City. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you are not due to travel in the next 72 hours you can cancel and refund your ticket via our online cancellation portal.

If you are due to travel with us in the next 72 hours, to cancel and refund your ticket please call our Customer Service team on +353 1 903 9508. Our lines are open 08.00 – 22.00, 7 days a week. Calls are charged at local rate.

We know this is a worrying time for everyone. We will continue to take guidance from the Government to ensure we do everything we sensibly can to keep people safe. We are monitoring the situation very closely and will resume services as soon as we can.

soundman45 · 21-03-2020 1:22pm

Aircoach 704x Cork and 705x Belfast suspended from last services Monday night

Thrashssacre · 21-03-2020 1:55pm

soundman45 wrote: »

Aircoach 704x Cork and 705x Belfast suspended from last services Monday night

So that just leaves lepardstown? Suprised that hadent been pulled by now.

soundman45 · 03-05-2020 12:25am

So how will the current situation affect National Express and Aircoach etc. Disaster for both, bad start for NX and if Aircoach is up for sale disaster for them maybe?

koutoubia · 03-05-2020 9:23am

Aircoach is for sale? Any links to that?

soundman45 · 03-05-2020 1:16pm

Its been widely reported since middle of last year that Aircoach is for sale

AlekSmart · 03-05-2020 1:24pm

koutoubia wrote: »

Aircoach is for sale? Any links to that?

It's kinda old-news now,but covered in a Family-Silver sell off plan floated last year...

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/uk-world/firstgroup-starts-formal-sales-process-for-us-business-but-pauses-uk-bus-sale-38788218.html

The headline article majors on the U.S. based subsidiaries,but fleetingly refers to the "rest" of the stash...

Bosses also said previously that they would look at selling the First Bus business in the UK, alongside existing plans to offload the Greyhound coach business.

It's all to play for anyway these days when you see the great Warren Buffet baling out of Airlines......

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52518186

"We will not fund a company that... where we think that it is going to chew up money in the future."

Collect your hat on the way out.......:(

Att vara en hest · 01-06-2020 4:31pm

wouldn't surprise me if Flixbus sweeps in to buy aircoach, seems like they're buying all European bus companies

soundman45 · 01-06-2020 7:37pm

Id say even Aircoach might only resume services on a scaled back basis and its also going to hit their value if any sale goes ahead.

koutoubia · 01-06-2020 7:46pm

Mr.S wrote: »

Likely to not return?

Not what we* were told!
There is regular chat on the drivers whats app.
National Express invested lot in this service. Cant see that being binned especially when they have the prime slots at the arrivals!

* we being the drivers.

soundman45 · 01-09-2020 3:57am

Aircoach route 700 is back on although on a very much reduced service operating between the Airport and UCD as is the routes 704 Cork and 705 Belfast, any word on National Express starting back?

p_haugh · 01-09-2020 11:11am

JJ Kavanagh & Sons also back up and running by the looks of it - not sure which routes though but looks like the Naas - Dublin Airport one is running

ExoPolitic · 02-09-2020 7:51am

p_haugh wrote: »

JJ Kavanagh & Sons also back up and running by the looks of it - not sure which routes though but looks like the Naas - Dublin Airport one is running

I saw the Dublin - Waterford one with destination blinds up in Waterford... I asked yesterday but they didn't reply. Guess its a soft launch.

p_haugh · 02-09-2020 9:22am

ExoPolitic wrote: »

I saw the Dublin - Waterford one with destination blinds up in Waterford... I asked yesterday but they didn't reply. Guess its a soft launch.

Nothing on their Facebook/twitter/website so seems like it

Jamie2k9 · 02-09-2020 9:34am

Website says full schedule resumed 1 Sep on all main routes.

Dublin Airport Bus Service Changes & Discussion

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