Swiftway - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

I've always thought that if Dublin Bus took certain aspects of BRT it would greatly increase the quality of that service. Simply having fewer stops, required pre-paid or leap cards and more direct routes that stuck to quality bus corridors as much as possible would make a hugh difference to the reliability, speed and efficiency of the service.

Even if between 15 - 20 routes were run like this and designated 'Express' (or some other particular title) with the majority of buses assigned to then in order to insure high frequency. All other routes could operate a more localised service.

pclive wrote: »

I e-mailed a suggestion to Dublin Bus a number of years ago asking would they consider having certain departures on the 46a route for example as pre pay only. They replied saying this would discriminate against people who wanted to pay with coins!

Really?! That's ridiculous. Typical Dublin Bus (il)logic.

Pixel Eater wrote: »

I've always thought that if Dublin Bus took certain aspects of BRT it would greatly increase the quality of that service. Simply having fewer stops, required pre-paid or leap cards and more direct routes that stuck to quality bus corridors as much as possible would make a hugh difference to the reliability, speed and efficiency of the service.

Even if between 15 - 20 routes were run like this and designated 'Express' (or some other particular title) with the majority of buses assigned to then in order to insure high frequency. All other routes could operate a more localised service.

You pretty much just described their Xpresso services apart from the no cash element. A completed rollout and high uptake of Leap (not there yet) is really a prerequisite for cashless services. London's only about to make that move this year, long after Oyster was introduced. But, yeah, as Expresso services are aimed at regular commuters primarily, you could make the case for early cash removal for those.

xper wrote: »

You pretty much just described their Xpresso services apart from the no cash element. A completed rollout and high uptake of Leap (not there yet) is really a prerequisite for cashless services. London's only about to make that move this year, long after Oyster was introduced. But, yeah, as Expresso services are aimed at regular commuters primarily, you could make the case for early cash removal for those.

Similar yes but the Xpresso service covers only a relatively small section of the city, often only runs during early morning and after work times and sometimes not at the weekends as it's mainly for commuters and it may only have a handful of departure times. In essense it seems to run more like an regional bus service (such as a localised Bus Eireann route) rather than a city bus.

That's interesting about London but my proposal would only require pre-paid tickets on relatively few routes. If certain routes were designated as pre-paid, high frequency with the buses and stops being easily identified as such I don't see why it wouldn't create a much better and reliable service.

Another fundamental problem with Dublin Bus is the lack of relevant and the glut of useless information (departure times from terminus when your stop is many miles into the route for example) presented to customers. It has a ambiguous stage system. I am still, after all these years, not entirely sure what a 'stage' is. 1 stop? 3 stops..5? By area? Distance perhaps? I just know how much it is to the city centre or I merely state my destination to the driver, the final amount can often vary depending on the driver.

The realtime displays and mobile app have been welcome editions to the service but a simple map or diagram, a simple stage and fare structure along with those RBT type aspects previously mentioned could transform the service at relatively little cost or hassle.

Lest we be distracted from the useful insight in this idea - let's break it out. Consider today's 39A route. It has good frequency and makes fairly decent time from Blanchardstown into the city centre, let down only by the pinch point of Old Cabra Road, Hanlon's Corner and Prussia street.

Within those constraints, you could improve the service a bit by reducing dwell times by removing ticket purchase from the buses and operating a multiple-door strategy (and 2 would be enough a lot of the time).

Similarly, if it proved possible to find extra road space for a bus lane on the narrow bit, that would, of course, help.

Fewer stops for an express route? Sure, why not.

These measures would not turn it into a Metro-class service, but would squeeze some extra quality out of what we have. Crucially, you can do it without new kinds of vehicles or special platforms and certainly without a new livery and brand (let's fix ticket integration before we create yet another kind of service).

The only reason to introduce a new brand is as a way of side-stepping Dublin Bus, its legacy of work practices and the power of the unions. And perhaps that's the idea...

Sam Russell wrote: »

I was not aware of the difficulties the 41x went through. However, the tunnel was paid for out of taxpayers money and the tolls are set by the government agency, so can be set at any rate. Setting it at zero for a bus but €12 for a taxi at peak time could also be challenged and is a form of subsidy.

If the proposal to run RBT through the tunnel went through the regulation hoops necessary, it would make a lot of sense as the tunnel is very under-used at present. Not all the RBT vehicles need to go that way, but a proportion would add choice and improve public transport from the airport at minimal cost.

like the 747....?

The NTA confirmed to Dublin City Council today that Dublin Bus will be operating it.

On RTE News. http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0205/502460-bus-rapid-transit-dublin/