Aircoach Route Changes and General Discussion.

not all service will move back to grand central from Laganside also the rail sub is due to finish on the 12th October

Thats good to see they're beginning to change their tune.

That's the top rate think you have to be on the coaches at least 5 years to get that. Dublin Bus are paying 43k a year from the start.

I find it baffling that private operators can get away with paying significantly less than DB/BE and wonder why there's a driver shortage. If DB/BE are paying are struggling to get drivers how do privates expect drivers when paying significantly less.

did hear from a source that there might delay until February 2025 for the new coaches on the belfast route now that's not 100% confirm its just incase anyone has heard anything

Tram and rail drivers get that bit more in their paychecks because their training is also a lot longer, a lot more specialised and somewhat more complex – especially on the railway. It takes a lot longer to churn out one train driver than it does to get one bus driver, even on the assumption that they both pass every test the first time. Rail staff are getting paid for their knowledge build-up, and I don't mean to disparage bus drivers here, but let's be honest, a fair chunk of bus drivers' training (rules of the road) is common to any road vehicle driver, and only then does the bus-specific knowledge (vehicles, services) build up on top of that.

Unions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The pay scale was significantly shortened as part of the recent union agreements.

Coaches are now €18 p/h base for 12 months, then straight onto top rate @ €23 p/h after 12 months.
Car parks are slightly less money, starting at €17p/h for 12 months, moving up to (I think) €20.50 after 12 months.
To put that into perspective - Bus Eireann are offering 23.05 p/h on their top rate, after 7 years of service.

As of last week: Dublin City (including Greystones) rosters achieved full staffing for the first time. The Cork depot is now overstaffed, with the rumour being that Dublin-based Cork drivers will be phased out and placed on alternative rosters (Belfast Shunt or Dublin City).

Agency drivers will shortly be decided on by management, those performing well will be retained (if they choose) and the extras will be cut loose.

As above, due to improved pay and conditions, driver retention and recruitment has skyrocketed, and staffing levels are much better now. Also, the use of an outside recruitment agency.

Well that's what happens when you pay staff the proper wages. Goes to show the benefits of trade unions.

It would be a bit of a contradiction having Aircoach emblazoned on the side of buses that are indeed buses and not coaches. Perhaps branding something along the lines of Airport Express brought to you Aircoach or something like that would be best.

That could be a pretty damn good marketing move actually! (So don't expect them to do it).

Having a route specific rebrand could be really beneficial to Aircoach in shaking off some of the tarnished image with the general public. The lay-person has a bad association with the big blue bus? make the rebranded buses not blue.

They could include a tagline similar to Dublin Express saying; "Part of Aircoach" or some such.