Dublin Coach Experience Discussion Thread

Yes, but the goal would be for them to target Aircoach. I believe the route can sustain two operators, like most intercity routes do, but Aircoach are the weaker of the two, with some pretty poor decisions on coach purchases, operational and customer support issues.

Odd coach choices, with limited leg room and they got rid of their local Irish support, it is operated out of the UK now and they haven't a clue.

Along comes Callinans, with brand new, very nice Vanhool coaches, with lots of legroom, Irish owned and with local knowledge support. Aircoach could find themselves in big trouble.

Worth noting that Callinans are now one of the largest operators in Ireland and much larger operator then Aircoach in Ireland. With the addition of the DC fleet, Callinans will have a fleet of around 130 coaches, Aircoach are at less then 50! (DX even smaller around 30).

I'm not saying they will do this in the short term, I'm certain they will have their hands full getting DC into order and shape. But longer term, it is something they might think about.

The X1 is at least 20 minutes slower (often quiet a bit more) then Dublin Express or Aircoach services and Dublin Express use far nicer coaches with far more legroom, one of the nicest coaches in the country.

The only reason to use this service really is if you are going to Newry or one of the other stops in between or if you just aren't aware of the DX service.

I consider this more of a stopping service, then one of the direct, non stop competitors.

The X2 is non stop between Dublin Airport and Belfast, but then it is only the same speed as DX/Aircoach, while being much less frequent and again DX have them beat on their coach.

As an aside, one thing to keep in mind, the old Dublin Coach service was non stop between Dublin City and Belfast. It didn't stop at Dublin Airport and thus it was the fastest way to travel between Dublin City and Belfast. That is possibly a unique feature that Callinans could bring back if they were to try the route again.

A re-brand may help with that. Along of course with new coaches, properly maintained, proper customer support, etc. They will need to rebuild trust with the travelling public. But Callinans are a totally different type of operator, one of the best in the country, very different to the DC of the past.

I wonder if DC had actually purchased those Enviros or were just leasing them? The Callinans website mentions they have a fleet of 50 Enviro 400, perhaps they just never updated it after selling them to DC. I suppose it doesn’t matter now either way.

p_haugh:Great to see nice new Mercs already hitting the streets of Limerick, hopefully a good sign of big improvements to the DC service.

“It's still curious how this network has come under the Callinan banner rather than ComfortDelGro who own CityLink, I am curious if that has I suppose the argument might have been crossover on services from Limerick and Ennis, but the CityLink service does serve the airport and the DUblin Coach one doesn't. Or did the Dublin Coach service have a lot of transfer passengers to the Airport at Red Cow Luas?”

I suppose the answer to that is simple enough, Callinans bought it, not ComfortDelGro, they are different companies after all. It sounds like Callinans want to step out from just being a sub contractor and want to become a customer facing player. They say that in the interview with them.

ComfortDelGro might have had the financial resources to outbid Callinans, but I’m wondering if they were worried if they would have gotten the permission from the competition authority given their purchase of GoBus, domination of the Galway route and existing services on the Limerick and criticism of the authority allowing the GoBus purchase, they might have been concerned if it would face difficulties. They may even have been supportive of Callinans getting it, better them, then say someone like Dublin Express, which would be more of a treat to Citylink.

It will certainly be interesting to see how the relationship between Citylink and Callinans continues now, specially relating to the Eireagle service.