Go-Ahead Dublin City Routes - Updates and Discussion

I think the buses on the 197 already have a manual ramp. Anyway I think drivers are supposed to have manual handling training if using a manual ramp.

The 197 is a weird one not really considered a city route or a commuter route just it's own standalone route not affiliated to any wider network. Has it's own fare structure and all. The buses on the 197 aren't fitted with AVL either afaik.

I would imagine that there would be a desire for all buses operating TFI services to be in the TFI livery at some stage.

Leaving Local Link aside, which is a separate brand, TFI contracted services are:

Dublin City operated by DB & GAI

Dublin Regional operated by GAI

National PSO & regional cities/towns operated by BE

Kilkenny City - City Direct

Kilkenny-Dublin Route 817 - Bernard Kavanagh

Ashbourne-Swords Route 197 - GAI

Naas-Blanchardstown Route 139 - JJ Kavanagh

Cavan/Longford Route 975 - Whartons

DB have always had a policy of regular repaints, which was every three years and is now every four. BE had no such policy which is why, as their fleet got older, they looked shabbier. I’d expect that to start to change.

I would expect that as the new BusConnects network is rolled out in Cork for example that the fleet will start to be repainted into TFI colours.

Galway city and most of Limerick are now in the new TFI livery, and Athlone will be from early next year. Sligo, Navan and Waterford are in the earlier TFI livery but will presumably be repainted at some stage.

The NTA will presumably want a standard livery on all buses operating TFI services, but that will take time.

If I remember correctly, at least one of GAI's Streetlites had a manual ramp. Easy to use and could be kicked shut. I doubt they'll be retrofitting anything.

Just out of interest, what do drivers usually do when a ramp won't open and you've got someone in a wheelchair waiting to get on? "Sorry, no-can-do" and leave the poor soul on the side of the road? Or does common sense prevail, and do you abandon the safety of the cab for a few seconds to open it with the tool provided?

Yeah common sense would prevail for most drivers but I guess there's always some jobsworth who'll say things like I'm not trained to do that or there's no union agreement for that.

I had a DB driver once who wouldn't stop for me because cars were illegally parked blocking the bus stop now obviously the cars parked illegally were in the wrong but there was loads of space for him to stop safely after the bus stop but he made no effort to stop.

When I phoned DB to complain they told me there was nothing except pass on the reg of the cars blocking the stop to the guards through the cctv they could do nothing with the driver as he was technically following the correct procedure. There's always some who'll follow procedure to the letter either to try and prove a point or just because their too bloody lazy to go out of their way.

I saw it happen a few years ago, ramp wouldn't open and wheelchair user couldn't get on. Driver was extremely apologetic and seemed embarrassed about the situation but had to just head on.

That's a curiously well fitting set of components for an improvised ramp :)

The 105 already does Ashbourne to Blanch. I'd say it's more for the rural areas in between the two. I'm guessing it's more a local community route used by a lot of OAPs as opposed to a busy commuter route. Maybe if it was to be extended to the Airport it could get more use in the Ashbourne area.

sorry wrong thread

When I lived in Ashbourne and needed anything it was always Blanch we went.there used to be a Dublin bus that went to rolestown then stopped is that still going or has the 197 taking over

Last time I was home I used to N6 (think it's a Go-Ahead route) from Coolock to get to Santry to take a bus to the airport. When you get off the N6 you've to walk for about 10 minutes to get to a Dublin Bus stop where the 16 and 41 stop. Anyone else had to do this? It seems ridiculous that you have to walk so far to get a connecting bus.

Also how do you pay for buses in Dublin nowadays? Do you have to put the card down by the driver and tell him where you're going? Or can you just beep your card on the other thing on your right as you get on? How does that know how far you're going, or is there just one fare now regardless of distance?

Both options available to use.

If you go to the driver side machine and specify the stop, the system auto calculates which fare should be used. You can also just say "short fare" or "long fare" etc., but some drivers may also ask for your stop.

Going to the right-hand side validator just charges you the full amount, aka the 90 minute fare

Oh definitely don’t do that!

I was invited to a party last Friday out in Dun Laoighaire and fancied a drink so I wasn't going to drive. Myself and a friend said we would get the 75 from the old Bawn road, It was due to leave the square at 19.15 so would be down in less than 10 mins. By 7.45 there was no sign of the bus so we jumped on the 175 to UCD and caught the 46A instead. Got off in Dun Laoighaire and there was at least 20-30 people at the stop waiting on a 75, They where in for a long wait by the looks of things

Interestingly enough, I was getting the short fare to go a couple of stops on the 145 the other day. Driver started saying since it was a young adult card I could just tap on the right hand validator and it would still be the 1 euro fare... think he forgot the short fare was a thing 😂