Ireland's "Extreme Commuters"

rdelevan · 19-03-2008 04:50PM #1

For a magazine piece I’m writing, I’m looking for people with the longest daily commutes in Ireland. People who travel more than 90 minutes each way, every day. “Extreme commuters”, they’re officially called.

From reading threads on this board I know there are more than a few of you here, and I want to talk to you. How do you do it? Why do you put up with it?

I want to accompany a few of Ireland’s “extreme commuters” on one day of their odyssey and see how they cope and what that’s like now - I’m hoping there aren’t too many with an ordeal like this guy. Where I grew up on Long Island, commuting was a central feature of life. People sat in the same seats on the same carriage on the 7.05 train from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station for 15 years, sitting next to the same people with the same coffee and danish from the same places. Have you - the < 10% who can use public transport anyway - met people via your commute?

My Dad commuted the 43 miles on the Long Island Expressway from our house to LaGuardia Airport for 30 years. He had his own rituals and strategies that got him through. What rituals and strategies are Irish extreme commuters coming up with?

I’d love even to take a stab at finding the person with Ireland’s longest (daily) commute - and a real person, rather than somebody with their own plane. My plan is to ride shotgun with a couple of “extreme commuters”, travelling with them from home to work and back again. But I want to get in as many tales from the road as possible.

If you are an “extreme commuter” in Ireland or know someone who is - email me at rdelevan (at) gmail (dot) com or leave a reply here or comment here.

loyatemu · 19-03-2008 06:00PM

rdelevan wrote: »

For a magazine piece I’m writing, I’m looking for people with the longest daily commutes in Ireland. People who travel more than 90 minutes each way, every day. “Extreme commuters”, they’re officially called.

you might want to extend that to 2hrs. 90 mins is nothing, I come in from Greystones (which is relatively speaking not that far out) and it takes me 75-80 mins to get to work.

The_Conductor · 19-03-2008 09:55PM

I'm in Lucan village- 90 minutes each way (to just off Bagott Street) is about normal, occassionally it can be better- on a bad morning it can take a hell of a lot longer. If there is heavy traffic on the N4 it can over an hour to get from Main Street in the village onto the N4 at Woodies- on the bus, with a bus lane, and then you've got the commute inwards- and then theres that crap at St. John's Road...... Extreme commuting- not really, about normal for anyone who lives in West County Dublin anyway. A few interesting developments such as doing away with the junction at Newcastle lights- might help the village, at the cost of severly inconveniencing Adamstown etc- but at least they have public transport. I don't consider 3 hours a day commuting to be extreme- its a chance to catch up on some sleep on the bus (providing you watch your bag and your pockets).

S.

godtabh · 19-03-2008 10:05PM

smccarrick wrote: »

I'm in Lucan village- 90 minutes each way (to just off Bagott Street) is about normal, occassionally it can be better- on a bad morning it can take a hell of a lot longer. If there is heavy traffic on the N4 it can over an hour to get from Main Street in the village onto the N4 at Woodies- on the bus, with a bus lane, and then you've got the commute inwards- and then theres that crap at St. John's Road...... Extreme commuting- not really, about normal for anyone who lives in West County Dublin anyway. A few interesting developments such as doing away with the junction at Newcastle lights- might help the village, at the cost of severly inconveniencing Adamstown etc- but at least they have public transport. I don't consider 3 hours a day commuting to be extreme- its a chance to catch up on some sleep on the bus (providing you watch your bag and your pockets).

S.

I used to do something similar. Lucan to Clonskeagh. It could take anything from and hour to two and a half hours.

A small accident could cause all sorts of hassle for commuters.

Lots of studies out there about this kind of thing. Some interesting stuff out there.

patrickc · 19-03-2008 10:05PM

i give myself 120 minutes to get from carlow to dublin city centre every day, approximately 60-80mins peak in the mornings to the red cow and 30/40 mins by luas in then

godtabh · 19-03-2008 10:09PM

patrickc wrote: »

i give myself 120 minutes to get from carlow to dublin city centre every day, approximately 60-80mins peak in the mornings to the red cow and 30/40 mins by luas in then

But when you look at the average speeds people are traveling at you'll see the differences in the commute.

I used to check my average speed. Its got as low as 7-8 miles an hour

patrickc · 19-03-2008 10:23PM

kearnsr wrote: »

But when you look at the average speeds people are traveling at you'll see the differences in the commute.

I used to check my average speed. Its got as low as 7-8 miles an hour

tell me about it, when I'm in at 3, i can be in the city centre in an hour and 5/10 mins

rameire · 19-03-2008 10:30PM

patrickc wrote: »

tell me about it, when I'm in at 3, i can be in the city centre in an hour and 5/10 mins

not bad i do athy to leopardstown at normal crush hour and it takes 1 hour for the 78.6km.
id just like to say hi to all the people i pass on the roads, especially the n78 m9 m7 n7 and m50, yes im a biker.hehe

patrickc · 19-03-2008 10:33PM

rameire wrote: »

not bad i do athy to leopardstown at normal crush hour and it takes 1 hour for the 78.6km.
id just like to say hi to all the people i pass on the roads, especially the n78 m9 m7 n7 and m50, yes im a biker.hehe

fecker, i always move over for ye though, unlike some people i see on the roads

chickenchaser · 19-03-2008 11:13PM

I travel from Drogheda to Dublin City Center on a daily basis, and the commute time averages out as 2 hours each way.

Up after 5 am and out the door at 6am. I reach McBride Station at 6:30 ish and get the train to Pearse Station.
Arrive into Pearse after 7:30 and walk or bus to my office to arrive at my desk for 8am!
Finish for the day at 4:30, and walk to Pearse for the 5:13 train (as the buses get stuck in traffic which could add 30 mins to my travel time), and I'm in my front door at around 6:30pm.

The train is a good way to catch up on sleep, if you can get a seat.
I also use the time to read novels, newspapers, and playing some Nintendo DS games.

I put up with it to get my experience in my chosen field so that eventually I can work closer to home in a few years. I love the regular hours and bank holiday weekends(2 days off in a row a week is bliss after 2 years of random shifts)

The toughest part is the dark mornings walking to the station, as it feels so wrong being up when it's still dark!

I'm doing this for 9 months now but not quite at the stage of knowing the regulars on a first name basis yet

I do meet friendly people and have a chat and sometimes do end up seeing some every week or so and sitting together for the some or all of the journey.

I don't consider this extreme, there are plenty of folks doing the full Drogheda-Dub route daily. A friend of mine does Drogheda-Connolly then Luas - Tallaght so I think he beats me on commute time.
It's a bit of a downer when people in work tell me how they would die doing the commute and how I must move to dublin!!!

But I don't let it get me down

Different stroke for different folks.

orbital83 · 19-03-2008 11:39PM

As posted before - I possibly have one of the longest ones here (commutes, that is) - Longford / Dublin.
It's almost 80 miles each way; nonetheless there's a surprising number that do it. However most of them wouldn't be in the office every day, or are awaiting transfers to a job near home.

Today, when all went well, the morning door-to-door was 2 hours 5 mins and the evening door-to-door was 2 hours.
This consists of 1 hour 15 mins in the car, 35 mins in the train and 10-15 mins walking or waiting for the train.

Have I got to know people? Ah yeah when I used to get the train all the way you'd get to know a few fellow sufferers. In addition, every long distance commuter must have had a "commuter crush" at some stage (did I just say that??

)
To be honest there's not much point making friends though - most people don't stick it for long - it's pretty extreme.
5 day weeks sap your energy, big time.
It's a temporary measure for myself... although I've been saying that since mid 2005!

Now that I'm mostly using my car, it's just me and John Lee on Shannonside Breakfast - we're like best friends by now

Worst parts are the dark winter mornings & evenings, and those days when you have to work late and end up having about 9 hours to yourself, including sleeping!

mikemac · 19-03-2008 11:46PM

smccarrick wrote: »

I'm in Lucan village- 90 minutes each way (to just off Bagott Street) is about normal, occassionally it can be better- on a bad morning it can take a hell of a lot longer. If there is heavy traffic on the N4 it can over an hour to get from Main Street in the village onto the N4 at Woodies- on the bus, with a bus lane, and then you've got the commute inwards- and then theres that crap at St. John's Road...... Extreme commuting- not really, about normal for anyone who lives in West County Dublin anyway. A few interesting developments such as doing away with the junction at Newcastle lights- might help the village, at the cost of severly inconveniencing Adamstown etc- but at least they have public transport. I don't consider 3 hours a day commuting to be extreme- its a chance to catch up on some sleep on the bus (providing you watch your bag and your pockets).

S.

kearnsr wrote: »

I used to do something similar. Lucan to Clonskeagh. It could take anything from and hour to two and a half hours.

A small accident could cause all sorts of hassle for commuters.

Lots of studies out there about this kind of thing. Some interesting stuff out there.

I don't mean to harsh guys but that's just damn madness!
90 minutes from Lucan to Baggot St? And that's considered acceptable? :eek:
Hell, pull on a pair of shorts and some runners and you could jog that in less time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again but if you drive a car into the city centre from a nearby area then you deserve everything you get.
Buy a scooter/motorbike, you will never look back :cool:

Edit, I realise ye use public transport but my point still stands

chickenchaser · 19-03-2008 11:53PM

Working late is such a killer when you've got to commute. I'd sooner work all the way through lunch than add an hour to the day as it could add an extra 30 mins commute home otherwise.

I had to work til 530 yesterday and it was near 2 hours before getting to Drogheda plus the 20 min walk home after that. So once I get my early finish I can time things okay.

Not getting to see daylight is the worst bit about winter travel.

It must be so much more comfortable to have the car instead of the sardine tin trains I'd say

I guess if we didn't say it was 'temporary' we'd crack up

Marathon Man · 20-03-2008 01:06AM

micmclo wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll say it again but if you drive a car into the city centre from a nearby area then you deserve everything you get.
Buy a scooter/motorbike, you will never look back :cool:

QFT

godtabh · 20-03-2008 09:42AM

micmclo wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll say it again but if you drive a car into the city centre from a nearby area then you deserve everything you get.
Buy a scooter/motorbike, you will never look back :cool:

Thats not an option for every one. Its only 13 miles from Lucan to town (0r something like that) but for many reasons its not practical to do that. No showers at work. Safety etc etc.

I now live and work beside a train station so my commute is only 40mins now and that will do me

The_Conductor · 20-03-2008 10:13AM

micmclo wrote:

I don't mean to harsh guys but that's just damn madness!
90 minutes from Lucan to Baggot St? And that's considered acceptable? :eek:
Hell, pull on a pair of shorts and some runners and you could jog that in less time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again but if you drive a car into the city centre from a nearby area then you deserve everything you get.
Buy a scooter/motorbike, you will never look back :cool:

Edit, I realise ye use public transport but my point still stands

Not possible for a number of reasons I've no intention of going into in my case. 90 minutes I accept as reasonable from Lucan- including walking the last part of the way. It is time dependent though- if you go into work early in the morning- say 6.15/6.20AM you'll get in a bit quicker- while if you're still around Lucan at 8AM- you're better off waiting until after 9AM before even thinking about going- and accepting that you'll be late.

I do drive into work the odd time- but more because I have to travel elsewhere with work (and I'd normally drive a number of my work colleagues when I do).

I suppose the point I am trying to make is public transport is not fit for purpose and simply does not work. If it were a consumer good being purchased in a shop- we'd all be bringing it back and demanding our money back- instead we have the government investing seemingly endless sums of money in our road network, at the same time derisory amounts on public transport- its almost as though there is a policy in place to get everyone to drive to work? Strange?

What would be great is much better public transport- along with car pooling (possibly with inducements such as allowing those who car pool to use the bus lanes- at the same time taking the taxis without passengers or emergency vehicles without an actual emergency, out of them).

S.

godtabh · 20-03-2008 12:42PM

smccarrick wrote: »

What would be great is much better public transport- along with car pooling (possibly with inducements such as allowing those who car pool to use the bus lanes- at the same time taking the taxis without passengers or emergency vehicles without an actual emergency, out of them).

S.

I thought taxis couldnt use bus lanes unless they had a fare? It just comes down to enforcement.

When I worked in america I heard some mad stories about distances traveled but got laughed at when I told them the average commute and time taken in Ireland.

I miss America. Should give my old boss a buzz to see if there are any jobs going

road_high · 20-03-2008 12:43PM

I hear of some mad commutes people do...most extreme was prob Charleville Co. Cork to Piltown Co. Kilkenny..but I'm sure there are further than this even

Ham'nd'egger · 20-03-2008 12:52PM

Lucan to Dublin is less than 13 Miles, Kearnsr; it's only 7 from Adamstown to Heuston on the train :eek:

Two girls I used to with; one girl commuted from Edgewarestown into the city while her fell dropped off the child to her parents en route to Blessington. Now if that ain't bad enough.....

Another cycled from her home village into Knockcroghery where she picked up a lift into Athlone. From here she got the mainline train into Dublin, where she would hop back on her rothar to finish off the last mile or so into Dublin city; repeating the same trip in the evening; almost 200 miles a day and 8 legs of transport!

KC61 · 20-03-2008 01:46PM

The two most extreme commutes that I am aware of are:

1) A gentleman interviewed on 5-7 Live a couple of years ago who commuted (driving) daily from Claremorris to Blanchardstown.

2) A gentleman who I believe commuted from Mallow to Dublin daily.by train.

Serious mileage!

trellheim · 20-03-2008 02:34PM

I know definitely someone who commutes by Train Thurles-Heuston 5 days a week.

Colm R · 20-03-2008 02:48PM

I know some who does the same. Do we know the same person?

godtabh · 20-03-2008 03:26PM

Hamndegger wrote: »

Lucan to Dublin is less than 13 Miles, Kearnsr; it's only 7 from Adamstown to Heuston on the train :eek:

I think the train route is more direct than driving. Plus Heuston is still abit from town so I reckon 13 miles isnt that far from being right

Ham'nd'egger · 20-03-2008 03:41PM

kearnsr wrote: »

I think the train route is more direct than driving. Plus Heuston is still abit from town so I reckon 13 miles isnt that far from being right

I know what you are saying, man, though bear in mind that the N 4 is pretty direct as well. That said, it's not too far!

godtabh · 20-03-2008 04:16PM

Hamndegger wrote: »

I know what you are saying, man, though bear in mind that the N 4 is pretty direct as well. That said, it's not too far!

But if you use the bus the chances are that you wont be going the most direct route

Del2005 · 20-03-2008 04:49PM

kearnsr wrote: »

I thought taxis couldnt use bus lanes unless they had a fare? It just comes down to enforcement.

Taxis use the bus lane with a fare or when going to collect a fare. If they get stopped empty they just say they are going to collect a fare. Don't know if it's an urban legend or true, but heard of a Garda stopping an empty taxi in a bus lane. Driver says he's going to collect a fare. Garda says grand, walks on a bit and stops driver for smoking in a PSV:D

ardmacha · 20-03-2008 04:59PM

Taxis use the bus lane with a fare or when going to collect a fare.

Driving in a bus lane should be linked to an "occupied" light on the taxi and this in turn should be linked to the meter. So if you are in a buslane your meter is running and so part of your taxable income. This would cut out a lot of monkey business.

nordydan · 21-03-2008 12:37AM

My cousin travels from Castlewellan to Dublin airport ever day. About 80 miles, but probably quicker than a lot travelling less. About 1hr20 it takes him

efb · 21-03-2008 01:01AM

From Offaly to Dublin City Centre 2 hours (usually) up, 1 hour 40 mins home (plus 10 min walk each way). Doing it for 15 months now, some days are easier than others.

spacetweek · 21-03-2008 01:20AM

Sorry guys but I've heard it all before. If you live in bloody Longford or Gorey it isn't public transport's fault your commute is so long, or house prices; it's YOUR fault. There's no country in the world that could get you from Mallow to Dublin in 30 minutes, like everyone here seems to expect.

People live 100s of k's from where they work/study and complain that driving or taking PT takes too long; or they move the same distance to buy a cheap house for the "quality of life" - which they cannot avail of cause they get up in the pitch dark every morning to beat the traffic.

The only person on here I have sympathy for is the one from Lucan, cause that's very close to the city and it really shouldn't be taking longer than 30-40 minutes to get in. That's where Transport 21 comes in.

But in the rest of the cases, JUST MOVE HOUSE.

rameire · 21-03-2008 12:50PM

spacetweek wrote: »

Sorry guys but I've heard it all before. If you live in bloody Longford or Gorey it isn't public transport's fault your commute is so long, or house prices; it's YOUR fault. There's no country in the world that could get you from Mallow to Dublin in 30 minutes, like everyone here seems to expect.

People live 100s of k's from where they work/study and complain that driving or taking PT takes too long; or they move the same distance to buy a cheap house for the "quality of life" - which they cannot avail of cause they get up in the pitch dark every morning to beat the traffic.

The only person on here I have sympathy for is the one from Lucan, cause that's very close to the city and it really shouldn't be taking longer than 30-40 minutes to get in. That's where Transport 21 comes in.

But in the rest of the cases, JUST MOVE HOUSE.

or just get a motorbike like i do, and you can travel from anywhere in no time at all.
as i said i live in athy and travel to leopardstown, and it takes one hour, i used to live on the northside of dublin in whitehall, and it used to take me 40 min by the same motorbike, so an extra 20 min for an extra 50km is pretty good i think.

Ireland's "Extreme Commuters"

Comments