Unofficial Bus Strike...

dub_commuter · 28-04-2009 01:52PM

jaybird wrote: »

Are you as stupid as you seem? If you care about your bus coming on time, and thats all, why do you not listen when people attempt to tell you why your bus does not come on time? BUSES DO NOT RUN ON TIME BECAUSE THE SCHEDULES ARE BADLY DRAWN UP. DRIVERS DO NOT DRAW UP THE SCHEDULES, MANAGEMENT DO.

You're wasting your words, I told him why he has the 15 minute issue with the 128, he called the bus drivers selfish for striking in November 2007, but the reason they were striking is to stop this happening on the 128. If the drivers had their way the 128

As said by the Unions in November 2007:

The new schedules will add hours to drivers' working week and will be a complete shambles for passengers. Buses will be waiting in the city for relief drivers who are trying to get there from a depot 11km away. It's a recipe for disaster

Blame waiting on the 128 oin management, not the drivers who actually stood up to this.

markpb · 28-04-2009 01:52PM

Wow this is getting needlessly heated. Before everyone trots out ever bad experience they've had with DB, how about a moment of calm?

- If you're sitting on a bus because the driver is chatting to his friends, call/write/email DB and lodge a complaint about him. It's easy for them to check what time he turned on the ticket machine so if he's taking the piss, they can do something about it

- If you're sitting on a bus because the driver hasn't shown up, call/write/email DB and tell them about it. Chances are they'll tell you you arrived early and the new driver hadn't started his shift. DB drivers pointed out the problem with mid-route changes but the management ignored them.

- If a bus is late, there's a good chance it's not the drivers fault. Yes there are some shysters who play the system but the vast majority are stuck in the same traffic you are. If you're going nowhere, how could other buses go any faster?

There are piles of problems with buses in Dublin, some are the fault of the drivers, some of the management and some are in the hands of our spinless, inept government. Piling all of them onto drivers is a waste of time.

Jip · 28-04-2009 01:54PM

dub_commuter wrote: »

Therefore why would I comment in intimidation when I don't know first hand.

Eh, but you have done several times. Once again I'll ask both of you who then was the guy on Gerry Ryan, which was repeated on the News At 1, the outlined what was said and happened to him as he tried to take a bus out this morning ? You seem quite intent on believing staff who said there was none but yet no so to believe someone who apparently suffered from it ?

Now bear in mind that this is not the conspiracy theories forum before you answer.

angel01 · 28-04-2009 01:55PM

thebman wrote: »

Almost every Dublin Bus I've ever gotten is late. Nobody even expects them to arrive on time.

They all have issues like this and you can go on about the scheduler guy all day but all the people want is buses arriving on time and it isn't always that guys fault so drivers shouldn't be on here acting like saints that never make mistakes or that there are just some bad drivers out there.

The problem is people can't tell what the problems are in Dublin Bus as a customer because there appears to be so many problems that it would be easier to start from scratch than fix this company.

I can't say I agree, the route I normally use is normally on time and works straight off the timetable and very rarely runs late and I have no complaints with the route or drivers whatsoever. Not every route is the same.

shltter · 28-04-2009 01:55PM

KC61 wrote: »

I think that this is the nub of the overall problem.

The whole manner in which schedules are reviewed needs an overhaul and a customer focus.

Agreed

dub_commuter · 28-04-2009 01:56PM

shltter wrote: »

Agreed

By me also. I agree that much needs an overhaul, but unfortunately the rules that are there need to be adhered to until they are replaced which needs to happen ASAP.

shltter · 28-04-2009 01:58PM

jaybird wrote: »

Its like blaming the till girl in tesco because they don;t have your favourite biscuits!

I hate that bitch and I know she is hiding the mikado somewhere:D

shltter · 28-04-2009 02:00PM

Jip wrote: »

Eh, but you have done several times. Once again I'll ask both of you who then was the guy on Gerry Ryan, which was repeated on the News At 1, the outlined what was said and happened to him as he tried to take a bus out this morning ? You seem quite intent on believing staff who said there was none but yet no so to believe someone who apparently suffered from it ?

Now bear in mind that this is not the conspiracy theories forum before you answer.

I don't know who he was but I know where I was I did not see anyone being in anyway abused or intimidated.

thebman · 28-04-2009 02:02PM

angel01 wrote: »

I can't say I agree, the route I normally use is normally on time and works straight off the timetable and very rarely runs late and I have no complaints with the route or drivers whatsoever. Not every route is the same.

You can't disagree with my experience of the service. You can only have a different experience of the service.

The buses never arrive at scheduled times on the 66 or 38/38A routes that I frequently use the buses on. Not even the 67N turns up on time and traffic can't be the excuse at that hour.

My name is Mud · 28-04-2009 02:03PM

Get rid of the unions, problem solved.

Its unions that need a billion pieces of red tape to CHANGE A TIMETABLE. Seriously.

Every single DB driver says its Managements fault. Why do management need all this stupid bureaucracy in the first place???

Unions.

meanmachine3 · 28-04-2009 02:13PM

bunyip123 wrote: »

is this a joke or something? its just someone elses opinion and he's entitled to it. why do passengers and revenue not have some impact on your wages? DB makes a continual loss and it will get worse if there are less people using the service and paying money for an already rubbish service. If it was a private sector company you would have to get used to it. Grow up.
DB is like Aer lingus was years ago - overinflated costs, overfinflated egos and generally needing a kick up the a$%^

theres a difference between having an opinion and coming out with ****e like " i pay your wages". every cent that goes out of my pocket some where else pays someone elses wages it doesn't give me the right to go around demanding /bragging "i pay your wages so your better not go on strike, you better have those biscuits i like" that not how it's done.
now as for buses being late.
buses only have a certain amount of time to get from one point to another,
be it the 66,38,70N,the aerlinks, even the wedding buses and private hires everyone of these are done by timing.

shltter · 28-04-2009 02:16PM

My name is Mud wrote: »

Get rid of the unions, problem solved.

Its unions that need a billion pieces of red tape to CHANGE A TIMETABLE. Seriously.

Every single DB driver says its Managements fault. Why do management need all this stupid bureaucracy in the first place???

Unions.

LMAO

If only you knew the truth, the union leadership both Siptu and NBRU are completely out of touch with the workforce.

You think this is militant unions its not leadership of both unions would have accepted the first deal. And the NBRU and SIPTU national leadership were arguing with people to go to work yesterday. There is as much internal union politics as union/management politics

_blank_ · 28-04-2009 02:16PM

...to the public it's not Drivers vs Management,

WE. DON'T. CARE.

To the public it's Dublin Bus taking the piss, it is the DRIVERS who are on strike, and the ones causing me to be not at work in a timely fashion, and caused me to get home an hour and a half later than normal last evening.

The Unions are at the heart of this, I have no doubt.

The DRIVERS union.

angel01 · 28-04-2009 02:16PM

thebman wrote: »

You can't disagree with my experience of the service. You can only have a different experience of the service.

The buses never arrive at scheduled times on the 66 or 38/38A routes that I frequently use the buses on. Not even the 67N turns up on time and traffic can't be the excuse at that hour.

Some routes will be worse than others, from my experience on the 38, it is a long route and very slow and it isn't a great service but the route I use regularly is much better.

You are entitled to your opinions, just like I am with mine.

whippet · 28-04-2009 02:27PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

theres a difference between having an opinion and coming out with ****e like " i pay your wages".

the posted probably phrased it incorrectly.

As a taxpayer / PAYE worker in ireland he has contributed to the fund which pays your wages. Dublin Bus looses millions per annum and has to be supported by government, which in turn is supported by every taxpayer in the country.

Can someone pull some figures out from a good source, but I did hear a union rep a few weeks ago refuting a statement from an interviewer that DB drivers were earning €65-75k per year, the rep responded that the more accurate figure was €45-55k per year.

Which is up to about 70% over the national average wage. To drive a fecking bus around the city !!!!!! you don't even have to handle money, a gear stick !!!!

I'm sorry if I am insulting, but white van drivers have a harder time around the city than you do, for a fraction of the wage. Stricter dead lines, no loading bays, can't use bus lanes, carrying boxes ........

the poor DB drivers, I'm going on strike cos I can't have my muffin and skinny latte in my favourite coffee shop as my route has changed !!

herya · 28-04-2009 02:32PM

shltter wrote: »

See the laughable thing is you don't give a flying **** yet you also want to complain about the outcome, So for example you complain about the time wasted on handovers but you fail to see that DB drivers never wanted those handovers on the 128.

The handover when the bus driver never appeared was clearly his fault (the first bus driver knew from the start that the other one is late so he must have been on schedule) not the schedule's. So.

But it's an off topic so EOT. It just shows that drivers are no angels. As I mentioned I appreciate them in general, especially that they are usually helpful when you need it.

meanmachine3 · 28-04-2009 02:36PM

whippet wrote: »

the posted probably phrased it incorrectly.

Can someone pull some figures out from a good source, but I did hear a union rep a few weeks ago refuting a statement from an interviewer that DB drivers were earning €65-75k per year, the rep responded that the more accurate figure was €45-55k per year.

i'm not saying exactly what i earned last year but it's less than €35K.
your right about can drivers but they dont have to put up with the abuse we get, they dont have to put up with bus stops being clogged up on a regular basis, they dont have to watch their backs all the time. etc..
i'm still waiting on a reply to this by the way.
how would you describe a nice friendly driver gunner ,please tell me and dont say it aint me. or anyone for that matter?

whippet · 28-04-2009 02:42PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

i'm not saying exactly what i earned last year but it's more than €XXK and less than €XXK.
your right about can drivers but they dont have to put up with the abuse we get, they dont have to put up with bus stops being clogged up on a regular basis, they dont have to watch their backs all the time. etc..

is that gross or net ? how many years are you driving buses? I don't mean to pry but it needs to be put in perspective.

What makes you think that van drivers in dublin don't have to put up with loading bays being clogged up, the same traffic (excluding bus lanes) that you have to drive in .. and about watching their backs ??? I'm a little confused? I assume you are talking about issues involving work place politics ? well ... in the real world politics and back stabbing is everywhere ..... unfortunatly unions can't protect you from personalities.

dereko1969 · 28-04-2009 02:42PM

whippet wrote: »

I'm sorry if I am insulting, but white van drivers have a harder time around the city than you do, for a fraction of the wage. Stricter dead lines, no loading bays, can't use bus lanes, carrying boxes ........

i totally disagree with the unofficial action but this statement is breathtaking in it's stupidity - dublin bus drivers have to drive hundreds of people safely around the city every day and do, generally speaking, a pretty good job of it and you're comparing that with someone that has a few boxes to move? unbelievable.

Corruptedmorals · 28-04-2009 02:46PM

thebman wrote: »

You can't disagree with my experience of the service. You can only have a different experience of the service.

The buses never arrive at scheduled times on the 66 or 38/38A routes that I frequently use the buses on. Not even the 67N turns up on time and traffic can't be the excuse at that hour.

I disagree about the 66, I get it all the time, peak and off-peak. It should arrive at my busstop 10-15 minutes after it leaves Maynooth and it always does, usually closer to 10 minutes. It has greatly improved over the last year I think, 20 minutes used to be standard.

thebman · 28-04-2009 02:47PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

i'm not saying exactly what i earned last year but it's less than €35K.
your right about can drivers but they dont have to put up with the abuse we get, they dont have to put up with bus stops being clogged up on a regular basis, they dont have to watch their backs all the time. etc..
i'm still waiting on a reply to this by the way.
how would you describe a nice friendly driver gunner ,please tell me and dont say it aint me. or anyone for that matter?

Personally I'd rate a good driver as someone that doesn't look like I insulted his mother when I go to purchase my ticket and when I say thanks getting off the bus that he might actually reply or not look at me like I was insulting his mother.

If someone asks which stop they should get off at, they should help and not look like you've insulted their mother then give help if they can.

Actually kicking smokers off the bus would be a plus but I can't blame them for not interfering in these situations especially if drink is involved.

Overall trying to be pleasant and trying to do a good job would ensure people would use the service more often. From my usage of the service most drivers look like they want to kill themselves and their passengers which doesn't instill confidence in the driver :eek:

There are exceptions and I always thank the decent drivers, I've stopped thanking the depressing drivers and the ones that almost kill me on the journey.

Beruthiel · 28-04-2009 02:48PM

People
Please behave and post within the Charter.
No need to get abusive and nasty..
B

thebman · 28-04-2009 02:48PM

Corruptedmorals wrote: »

I disagree about the 66, I get it all the time, peak and off-peak. It should arrive at my busstop 10-15 minutes after it leaves Maynooth and it always does, usually closer to 10 minutes. It has greatly improved over the last year I think, 20 minutes used to be standard.

I stopped getting it and got a car exactly a year ago TBH.

Only use the 67N now.

_blank_ · 28-04-2009 02:49PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

how would you describe a nice friendly driver gunner ,please tell me and dont say it aint me. or anyone for that matter?

Someone who actually looks at me when I want to speak to the driver as I get on the bus. Some fellas actually turn away and face out the side window. This is rudeness.

Someone who doesn't tut at me when I ask him where he is going, or if he's going to a particular road. Some knowledge of his route would be a bonus, you know, the actual roads he travels on. I asked one fella if he was going to a particular road and he said he didn't know. The look he threw at me for daring to ask in the first place.

Someone who waits for the elderly or infirm to take a seat before pulling away from the stop, and jerking them around the bus. In Sydney the drivers actually get up off their holes and help people to their seat if they need it. That's probably a bit too much to ask in Dublin though.

Someone who will actually type the buttons for a change receipt, instead of me having to ask for it and get growled at. Although, this has served me well, as you get to know which drivers actually look at the money from those who don't. You can get a journey for a few coppers and some Thai small change from these guys.

Someone who will actually tell me if the route has been changed due to stone throwing youths (as regularly happens on the 40a/c/d Routes out of Harristown) You'd be on a bus expecting a left turn, only for the driver to tell you, half way down the N2 that he isn't doing the usual route. An announcement to the passengers would be nice, or the majority of the time they have already been told while sitting at Parnell Street, but don't bother their holes to tell the passengers. Then they act all offended if you say this to them.

whippet · 28-04-2009 02:52PM

dereko1969 wrote: »

i totally disagree with the unofficial action but this statement is breathtaking in it's stupidity - dublin bus drivers have to drive hundreds of people safely around the city every day and do, generally speaking, a pretty good job of it and you're comparing that with someone that has a few boxes to move? unbelievable.

actually, both are driving heavy goods vehicles around a congested city. One missed blind spot on a long wheelbase van or truck could wipe out a few pedestrians, cyclists ... don't make out that bus drivers are heros and up on a pedistal alone.

Van / Truck drivers have to drive where ever their goods are needed, bus drivers drive along pre determinded routes, with bus lanes, prescribed stops (god forbid if they had to stop somewhere else). In essence the routes they drive are generally suited to their mode of transport.

meanmachine3 · 28-04-2009 02:57PM

gross ,thats earned less than €35K gross.
the reason i asked about polite drivers is this. we are under the watchful eye of everyone now.
we issue a ticket after pulling away from a stop we get our asses kicked.
we're seen talking to anyone incl. passengers that need our help other than at bus stops while loading/unloading and that includes bus stops where we're waiting on a green light, we get our asses kicked.
dublin bus have in the last few weeks come down on us like a ton of bricks and it's all to do with health and safety.
the only thing we're allowed to do is this. drive bus, load/unload passengers at stops, inssue tickets at stops. anything else we do we get our asses kicked from now on

angel01 · 28-04-2009 02:58PM

Des wrote: »

Someone who actually looks at me when I want to speak to the driver as I get on the bus. Some fellas actually turn away and face out the side window. This is rudeness.

Someone who doesn't tut at me when I ask him where he is going, or if he's going to a particular road. Some knowledge of his route would be a bonus, you know, the actual roads he travels on. I asked one fella if he was going to a particular road and he said he didn't know. The look he threw at me for daring to ask in the first place.

Someone who waits for the elderly or infirm to take a seat before pulling away from the stop, and jerking them around the bus. In Sydney the drivers actually get up off their holes and help people to their seat if they need it. That's probably a bit too much to ask in Dublin though.

Someone who will actually type the buttons for a change receipt, instead of me having to ask for it and get growled at. Although, this has served me well, as you get to know which drivers actually look at the money from those who don't. You can get a journey for a few coppers and some Thai small change from these guys.

Someone who will actually tell me if the route has been changed due to stone throwing youths (as regularly happens on the 40a/c/d Routes out of Harristown) You'd be on a bus expecting a left turn, only for the driver to tell you, half way down the N2 that he isn't doing the usual route. An announcement to the passengers would be nice, or the majority of the time they have already been told while sitting at Parnell Street, but don't bother their holes to tell the passengers. Then they act all offended if you say this to them.

I at times have gotten some of the Finglas buses and been told as soon as I get on that they are not going the usual route or within 5 minutes of the bus moving.

dub_commuter · 28-04-2009 02:59PM

Well having used the 40D quite reguarly up to 6 months ago, I can say that I've seen the following happen:

- Drivers stopping between stops when they see elderly people hardly able to walk, to let them on
- Drivers stopping at certain areas to let elderly people off the buses closer to their home
- Drivers helping elderly people off the bus and using centre doors when beneficial.
- Drivers allowing young kids on the bus for free when it is very late as they care about the safety
- I've always got a change reciept if I've paid cash

With regards to the 40D's being diverted during disruptions, in my experience it is pointless drivers telling the public about the diversion when idiots throw stones at buses, because every time I have seen both inspectors and drivers done this SEVERAL TIMES, on a journey, as soon as they take the diversion some idiot goes up to the front of the bus and starts calling drivers every name under the sun, it happens every time whether people are told or not. and in one instance physically confronted the driver and tried to smash his screen in. They should always tell people but you always get one idiot.

I happen to know most of the drivers on my regular route pretty well and they are always polite and helpful in relation to the service they are providing,

Yes there are some routes where people have attitude problems, in general from people going from one end of a city centre to another, for about 3-4 stops seems to get a ridicolous amount of flack from drivers, I don't agree with this. I also happen to think the bunch of drivers on the 38's can be complete idiots also, but to say everyone is like this is wrong.

There are good drivers and there are bad drivers. I'm fortunate in the fact I have a bunch of decent drivers on my route who are only too happy to help, I know that other routes can have idiots who don't issue change reciepts, won't enter the slightest bit of conversation with anyone, but these are not the majority.

_blank_ · 28-04-2009 02:59PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

the only thing we're allowed to do is this. drive bus, load/unload passengers at stops, inssue tickets at stops. anything else we do we get our asses kicked from now on

You can't speak to the passengers if they have a query?

I don't believe that.

Are you required by Management to issue change receipts, or must passengers ask for them?

What about announcing route changes? Are passengers supposed to be psychic? Should I ring the Garage before commencing every journey to make sure the bus is taking the described route?

Dublin_Gunner · 28-04-2009 03:00PM

meanmachine3 wrote: »

ohhhhhhh boy now you've gone and done it gunner :mad:. how dare you come out with a statement like that, you dont pay my ****ing wages dublin bus does and no one else got it. thats the most ridicilous thing i've ever heard, so no matter where you go be it on holidays with a travel agent, getting a taxi or shopping in your local super market your attitude is " i pay your wages". well lad get on the bus i drive and try that attitude with me and we'll see how far you get Mr. I PAY YOUR WAGES. what you've just said is a load of bollox. i've seen that tripe in other places before and i will not accept that off anyone. up to now i've been calm , co-operative and very polite the best i can and given my views in an ordilary manner. tell you what go **** yourself and your views. most posters in here know my temperment, if someones nice and polite i'll be the same back but if someone rubs me up the wrong way i'll hit back twice as hard

how would you describe a nice friendly driver gunner ,please tell me and dont say it aint me.

For a start I dont know you, and maybe you were a decent one that I may have or have not experience. I recently had to get a 49 out to Old Bawn, but wasn't sure if it was 49 or 49A I needed to get (as had been waiting on a 49a for over an hour, which never turned up). I got on a 49 instead, asked the driver, who was very nice, and explained they go nearly the same route, and asked me where I was going (I was going to Dodder Valley park to play a match). He called on the intercom when we were around the area I wanted (as he wasn't entirely sure where the park was), and I thanked him, and got off a stop or two later, right next to the park.

Now he was a nice, friendly, helpful driver. Unlike most twats who like to shout the fare at my girlfriend whenever she asks (if she hasn't got a prepaid ticket), or tries to give all the old people heart attacks by driving too fast over bumps, or just looks constantly angry, or is sitting on a hot poker.

So maybe you are like that 49 driver, I dont know, but you'd be in the minority.

The wages reference wasn't meant in the literal sense, but it appears you drivers posting here like to take everything literally rather than in context. i.e If us DB regulars didn't use the bus, pay for our annual tickets / fares, I'm pretty sure a lot of you wouldn't have jobs, and the company couldn't run. By 'your' wages, I mean give the company the income - just to ensure there's no mis-quoting here.

And just for the record, idle threats on an internet forum are a little bit sad and juvenile. I don't know what you're like, nor do I give a sh1t. But I do know I'm entitled to my opinion, and not have to read abuse from you because of it.

But back to the thread at hand - no commuter cares at all what the reasons are for going on an UNOFFICIAL strike, but they do care that their public service is being disrupted by the drivers who are striking.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe DB management intended on the buses actually running out of Harristown no? So therefore, the fact that the buses did not arrive at peoples bus stops, people arrived late / not at all for work, couldn't get to school / hospital etc is entirely down to the drivers, who decided to wash their dirty laundry in the most public way.

Unofficial Bus Strike...

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