Dublin Bus selling some of its VTs

bk · 21-10-2018 10:22pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

The hybrid VG didn't work out either was very unreliable and ended up going up in flames when it was sold on over in the UK.

Yes, though hybrid tech has certainly come along since then, 3,000 of them running around London, so pretty mature now.

Gas is pretty mature too, with lots running around certain operators for years. Though it would certainly face much steeper infrastructure challenges then hybrid to introduce here.

It will be very interesting to see what we will end up with, certainly interesting times ahead.

bk · 21-10-2018 10:23pm

Control of doors should be taken out of the hands of drivers and given to passengers, like in many other European cities.

Stephen15 · 21-10-2018 10:28pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

I will use double doors once safe.

If a cyclist can fit up then it's not safe.

I've had people hit but on the footpath where if it were to happen on the road where it's not safe I would be in huge trouble.

Fair enough. As contrary to Aleks point I have also observed drivers using middle doors at stops where I would judge it as unsafe if I were a driver for example most drivers use middle doors on Aston Quay where it is not always safe as a stop.

_Kaiser_ · 21-10-2018 11:27pm

bk wrote: »

Control of doors should be taken out of the hands of drivers and given to passengers, like in many other European cities.

As long as the driver can override and/or controls the closure (like with the LUAS).. otherwise you'll have buses on certain routes delayed frequently because some scobe was messing or causing trouble (as we saw with the case of a DART recently)

You'd also need to sort out the liability issues or you'll end up with more cases like that girl during the week getting a massive payout for her own reckless/stupid actions on the LUAS.

bk · 22-10-2018 9:47am

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

As long as the driver can override and/or controls the closure (like with the LUAS).. otherwise you'll have buses on certain routes delayed frequently because some scobe was messing or causing trouble (as we saw with the case of a DART recently)

Yes, of course with the driver having ability to close the doors, etc.

But you can't build a public transport system around the lowest common denominator, you need to build it for the benefit of the majority.

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

You'd also need to sort out the liability issues or you'll end up with more cases like that girl during the week getting a massive payout for her own reckless/stupid actions on the LUAS.

Unfortunately, the reality of the legal system is there is nothing you can do to completely remove liability. In civil court, anyone can sue anyone for any reason, someone can sue you because they don't like the colour of your eyes! That doesn't mean a judge won't laugh it out of court, but there is nothing you can do to completely protect yourself from going to court.

What you can do, is put in place steps that make it less likely that a person who sues you will win. For instance, making the passengers open the rear door themselves would be an example of this, it takes it out of the hands of the driver and puts greater responsibility on the passenger.

Big bright signs on the door saying "caution when leaving, look both ways, mind your step", etc. help too.

Of course cameras which would capture what is happening both inside and out, help too.

The reality is there is no 100% guarantees when it comes to the law, as we can see from that ridiculous Luas case where the drivers are doing everything reasonably that could be expected of them.

However if something ever did happen, it is much more likely that someone would sue Dublin Bus, then the individual driver, as you see from the Luas case. More potential money to be one from DB then some hardworking driver. Then it is down the DB's excellent legal team and the cameras.

Thing is, from a legal perspective, there isn't any difference between the front door and the rear door. A driver can equally be sued if someone fell out the front door as the rear.

BTW I'm actually sort of surprised that the rear door is operated by the driver, it would seem to me to actually put more risk on the driver. What if someone is leaning against the rear door when it is opened and falls out, can the driver see this on a camera inside or are they just blindly opening the doors?

Passenger operated rear doors would actually reduce this risk to the drivers.

Stephen15 · 04-11-2018 10:09pm

9 hybrids are to be trialled 3 of each type. Will be based Conyngham Road and will operate on the 25a/b

ITV2 · 04-11-2018 10:12pm

Due in next month.

dashcamdanny · 05-11-2018 12:40pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

I will use double doors once safe.

If a cyclist can fit up then it's not safe.

I've had people hit but on the footpath where if it were to happen on the road where it's not safe I would be in huge trouble.

As far as cycles are concerned 100% .

But if a passenger took a tumble by their own doing because the middle door was too far of the kerb..
I wonder how much trouble we would get into. Its the unions that seem the push the Only Use When Safe issue. Has it happened before?

Does a passenger really need a kerb to step onto?

Stephen15 · 05-11-2018 5:56pm

dashcamdanny wrote: »

As far as cycles are concerned 100% .

But if a passenger took a tumble by their own doing because the middle door was too far of the kerb..
I wonder how much trouble we would get into. Its the unions that seem the push the Only Use When Safe issue. Has it happened before?

Does a passenger really need a kerb to step onto?

I have also seen drivers use the middle doors when perhaps the safety element is questionable. Most drivers seem to use nearly all the time in the city centre but less so in the suburbs I find. I've seen a good few drivers use them on Aston Quay for example but not all get right up to the kerb as there's usually other buses blocking up the stop.

punisher5112 · 05-11-2018 6:08pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

I have also seen drivers use the middle doors when perhaps the safety element is questionable. Most drivers seem to use nearly all the time in the city centre but less so in the suburbs I find. I've seen a good few drivers use them on Aston Quay for example but not all get right up to the kerb as there's usually other buses blocking up the stop.

I'll be straight up I'm damed if I do and damed if I don't.

I actually can't win.

I try to do my best in reading who is getting off and where but no matter what people leave it till the bus is after filling with 40 or 50 and then decide oh I will get off here, say nothing and tend to bounce off the doors front or back.

There are occasions where if we open the rear doors people shoot on and make a run for the stairs.

With only 4 checkers for over a 1000 buses this is just too much put on each driver.

I don't know how many go ahead have but I'm really hoping it's more then 4 oh and 1 of those is in a car.....

Stephen15 · 05-11-2018 6:20pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

There are occasions where if we open the rear doors people shoot on and make a run for the stairs.

With only 4 checkers for over a 1000 buses this is just too much put on each driver.

I don't know how many go ahead have but I'm really hoping it's more then 4 oh and 1 of those is in a car.....

But I thought fare evasion wasn't something drivers were responsible and if people got on the middle doors without paying then there wouldn't be any repercussions on said driver.

I yet to see GAI advertise for ticket inspectors. Maybe they'll do hire some when they have more routes.

testarossa40 · 06-11-2018 12:28am

Stephen15 wrote: »

9 hybrids are to be trialled 3 of each type. Will be based Conyngham Road and will operate on the 25a/b

Which types are being trialled? Presumably Wrights Gemini-based among them?

Stephen15 · 06-11-2018 12:36am

testarossa40 wrote: »

Which types are being trialled? Presumably Wrights Gemini-based among them?

I didn't hear that myself. My guess would be 3 from Wrights, 3 from Alexander Dennis and another three from another bus builder perhaps MCV/Volvo.

punisher5112 · 06-11-2018 6:40am

I do hope whatever they are that they are better then the sg

listermint · 06-11-2018 6:59am

6 pages in and no one knows what price range these will fetch when sold ?

AlekSmart · 06-11-2018 7:09am

listermint wrote: »

6 pages in and no one knows what price range these will fetch when sold ?

Sealed bid tender,so it's entirely up to the market.

The issue here is the lack of past "ball-park" figures to go on,with only a handful of tri-axles ever appearing here,and long ago at that.

My guess is that they are already being factored in to some company's peak capacity express service,possibly reclassified in zero standee mode.

Either way,there's plenty of revenue earning service left in them yet.

shanec1928 · 06-11-2018 7:11am

Stephen15 wrote: »

9 hybrids are to be trialled 3 of each type. Will be based Conyngham Road and will operate on the 25a/b

great to get some new buses on the 25a/b route no doubt they won’t run due to operational issues that seem to plague the route

dublinman1990 · 07-11-2018 1:09am

There's a Youtube video here of London's new tri-axle bus doing it's trials on the 12 route.

I found few photographs here also on Flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jashenl/45701391012/in/faves-81709772@N07/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jashenl/31880025578/in/faves-81709772@N07/

bk · 07-11-2018 10:31am

Cool, looks like a decent bus. Though the stop button on the back of the seat is a little strange.

One thing that strikes me is that you can hear the EV motor kick in accelerating out of the stops and for most of the video the Diesel engine doesn't sound like it is running, so mostly running EV between many of those stops. Shows the benefits of hybrid on a city bus, in particular in a city center location with lots of close stops and a big battery like this bus has, nice.

In the pictures he mentions:

The extra seats are a bonus, the bus is nippy and it doesn’t feel heavy, it can pull away quick too!

A big heavy coach based tri-axle with an underpowered Euro 6 engine feels nippy! Again this shows the benefits of hybrids and EV's, their powerful torque is ideal for a city bus with lots of stop and starts. Hybrids go a long way to solving bus drivers complaints of modern Euro 6 engined buses feeling light and underpowered.

punisher5112 · 07-11-2018 1:15pm

One major issue I see right away is the front lights(dipped beam) are way too low and that will be an issue.

Stephen15 · 08-11-2018 6:05pm

Alexander Dennis have now launched the new Enviro 400XLB tri axle for Lothian Buses in Edinburgh. Have to say it looks quite nice and I would personally prefer it to the one's which were bought for London. This bus is a bit larger than the VTs and can carry 131 with 100 seats. Although I'm not mad on the style of seats on these

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/media/news/2018/november/100-seats-for-lothian-in-new-three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

punisher5112 · 08-11-2018 8:53pm

If I had the money to buy them I would run a service from Wicklow to say sandyford if the n11 could have a bus lane and have it that there is a park and ride set up.
Have it seated only and run as a trial.
Something needs doing on that road and now not years down the road.

So many cars going the same way mostly every day.

haulier · 08-11-2018 10:46pm

Maybe connect LUAS BRIDES GLEN to DART [ around SHANGANNAGH JUNCTION via the original route - forget about all the additions to Bray, etc for the present ] That would give an alternative route to CHERRYWOOD/ Sandyford I.E.[ & N. Wicklow ] from both sides.

If people want to use their own transport, grand - but there would be an option.

What distance is it ?? - maybe 2 miles - most of the route is still there.

Of course, this leaves out the main problem on the N11 - it's [public transport ] a great idea for everyone else - if they used public transport, I could fly into town in half an hour !!!

This doesn't only apply to the N11

bk · 09-11-2018 8:45pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

Alexander Dennis have now launched the new Enviro 400XLB tri axle for Lothian Buses in Edinburgh. Have to say it looks quite nice and I would personally prefer it to the one's which were bought for London. This bus is a bit larger than the VTs and can carry 131 with 100 seats. Although I'm not mad on the style of seats on these

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/media/news/2018/november/100-seats-for-lothian-in-new-three-axle-adl-enviro400xlb-on-volvo-chassis/

The Enviro400XLB shares its body structure with the market-leading two-axle Enviro400, which has been designed for the requirements of British and Irish bus operators

Interesting tidbit their.

Having said that, no mention of hybrid, just Euro 6, so a non starter here now.

The London one seems much better is terms of environment.

Even if you don't care about the Environment, the London hybrid one likely accelerates much faster given the electric motor, nice for drivers.

Great though to see options appear on the market, leave hope that we could get some here.

Stephen15 · 09-11-2018 10:33pm

bk wrote: »

Interesting tidbit their.

Having said that, no mention of hybrid, just Euro 6, so a non starter here now.

The London one seems much better is terms of environment.

Even if you don't care about the Environment, the London hybrid one likely accelerates much faster given the electric motor, nice for drivers.

Great though to see options appear on the market, leave hope that we could get some here.

Considering the regular Enviro 400 is available as a hybrid model I would assume that the XLB could have a hybrid version built also if it was specified by the NTA.

I am sceptical of the build quality and durability of the London tri axle tbh. Considering it's a coach body which has been modified with city bus parts while the Enviro 400XLB is built to be a city bus. Although the Enviro 400s aren't of very good build quality themselves the DB EV class proves that but this bus is the first generation of Enviro 400. However I believe the newer generation of Enviro 400 have better build quality and are probably on a par with the SGs in terms of build quality.

I don't know but I'm not sure how good these London tri axles are considering they are built by a Chinese manufacturer who virtually unknown in this part of the world.

Stephen15 · 14-12-2018 8:27pm

First batch of VTs have already been withdrawn starting from today. They have been replaced by a number of SGs which have large TFI logos on them similar to Go-Ahead buses but they are still in DB livery other than that and not TFI livery for some reason. Have to say I was an 05 VT a few days ago on the 46a and it was still in very good nick.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1714545885317610&id=100374250068123

punisher5112 · 15-12-2018 8:38pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

First batch of VTs have already been withdrawn starting from today. They have been replaced by a number of SGs which have large TFI logos on them similar to Go-Ahead buses but they are still in DB livery other than that and not TFI livery for some reason. Have to say I was an 05 VT a few days ago on the 46a and it was still in very good nick.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1714545885317610&id=100374250068123

Will be missed honestly will.

Much much more comfortable even then the 2007 ones and beats the SG any day.

n!ghtmancometh · 15-12-2018 8:40pm

Insanity not replacing them with similar capacity vehicles.

Stephen15 · 15-12-2018 8:46pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Will be missed honestly will.

Much much more comfortable even then the 2007 ones and beats the SG any day.

I was on one a few nights ago. Have to say the bus was still in very condition for one that's being withdrawn. As a driver though would they not be more awkward to manoveure fine on a straight run alone the N11 but a bit of a pain on the tighter streets around the city centre, DL, Bray and Phibsboro.

Stephen15 · 15-12-2018 8:48pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Insanity not replacing them with similar capacity vehicles.

Yes but I should hope they'd be replaced by a larger quantity of regular sized vehicles rather than the same quantity. The N11 corridor which these operate on is due for a big increase in 2019 with the introduction of the new route 155.

punisher5112 · 15-12-2018 9:17pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

I was on one a few nights ago. Have to say the bus was still in very condition for one that's being withdrawn. As a driver though would they not be more awkward to manoveure fine on a straight run alone the N11 but a bit of a pain on the tighter streets around the city centre, DL, Bray and Phibsboro.

Honestly I much prefer driving them over anything else.

Great feedback on steering, loads of power and for a bus handled quite well.

Of course in the wet or the snow they were tail happy or would like to kick out if you revved them out hard.

Very comfortable even for the driver and just a pleasure to drive.

dublinman1990 · 15-12-2018 11:51pm

I was on VT15, probably for the last time, on the 46A last Wednesday night. I still not happy with Dublin Bus getting rid of them. If the NTA are looking for new tri-axles if they had the intention of replacing them; why not buy the new tri-axle buses that were purchased recently for Lothian in Edinburgh. 42 of them were purchased to run the city bus services for the LothianCity services in Edinburgh. These new buses have a total of 100 seats inside with a standing capacity of 130.

http://transportdesigned.com/alexander-dennis-lothian-unveil-100-seat-monster-bus/

Stephen15 · 16-12-2018 12:13am

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I was on VT15, probably for the last time, on the 46A last Wednesday night. I still not happy with Dublin Bus getting rid of them. If the NTA are looking for new tri-axles if they had the intention of replacing them; why not buy the new tri-axle buses that were purchased recently for Lothian in Edinburgh. 42 of them were purchased to run the city bus services for the LothianCity services in Edinburgh. These new buses have a total of 100 seats inside with a standing capacity of 130.

I see your point but if the NTA is willing to buy additional regular sized buses with enough drivers to drive them of course I think there wouldn't be too much issues getting rid of them. In the new year the new route 155 running along the N11 every 15 mins that should really add enough additional capacity to the corridors make up for the lose of some of the VTs whereas regular sized double deckers can be allocated to any route.

The problem with the VTs was that they weren't very flexible as not all routes could handle them due to their length or even justify them capacity wise meaning that they are pretty much restricted to a handful of routes such the 39a, 46a and 145.

mickdw · 16-12-2018 12:23am

How much would these buses be sold off at roughly?

punisher5112 · 16-12-2018 12:48am

mickdw wrote: »

How much would these buses be sold off at roughly?

The av type was around 25k.

These should be more.

AlekSmart · 16-12-2018 12:52am

Stephen15 wrote: »

I see your point but if the NTA is willing to buy additional regular sized buses with enough drivers to drive them of course I think there wouldn't be too much issues getting rid of them. In the new year the new route 155 running along the N11 every 15 mins that should really add enough additional capacity to the corridors make up for the lose of some of the VTs whereas regular sized double deckers can be allocated to any route.

The problem with the VTs was that they weren't very flexible as not all routes could handle them due to their length or even justify them capacity wise meaning that they are pretty much restricted to a handful of routes such the 39a, 46a and 145.

This is not the case.

In fact,it is only a handful of routes which are unsuitable for VT operation.

The NTA,appear to have been caught unprepared by their inability to keep up with developments in the High-Capacity Double Deck market.

The insistance with persevering with the short-wheelbase B5 configuration,when operators such as Lothian went for the Longer Wheelbase configuration speaks volumes about the Authorities understanding of Operational Reality.

Lothian have,very successfully,specified LWB vehicles,specifically for additional peak capacity,a sensible policy which continues today.

Vlovo themselves,have also decided that this market sector is worth servicing once more..

https://www.volvobuses.co.uk/en-gb/news/2018/oct/double-deck-bus-options-further-extended-with-introduction-of-new-volvo-b8l.html

However,since NTA orders for B5's will continue to arrive well into Mid 2019,it's unlikely Dublin will see much in the way of such innovation before 2020.

Instead,it appears that running TWO buses with TWO drivers to service a single departure,now represents the epitome of progress in NTA speak....

https://www.goaheadireland.ie/timetable-changes-45a-45b-59-63-63a-75-75a-111-175

The additional 0710 service from Citywest will no longer operate - Instead, the 0700 service from Citywest will be operated with two buses to cater for high levels of demand.

Taken to it's extremes,this policy may not do much for Irelands CO2 emissions policy,nor indeed for route economics....:)

Stephen15 · 16-12-2018 1:20am

AlekSmart wrote: »

This is not the case.

In fact,it is only a handful of routes which are unsuitable for VT operation.

The NTA,appear to have been caught unprepared by their inability to keep up with developments in the High-Capacity Double Deck market.

The insistance with persevering with the short-wheelbase B5 configuration,when operators such as Lothian went for the Longer Wheelbase configuration speaks volumes about the Authorities understanding of Operational Reality.

Lothian have,very successfully,specified LWB vehicles,specifically for additional peak capacity,a sensible policy which continues today.

Vlovo themselves,have also decided that this market sector is worth servicing once more..

https://www.volvobuses.co.uk/en-gb/news/2018/oct/double-deck-bus-options-further-extended-with-introduction-of-new-volvo-b8l.html

However,since NTA orders for B5's will continue to arrive well into Mid 2019,it's unlikely Dublin will see much in the way of such innovation before 2020.

Instead,it appears that running TWO buses with TWO drivers to service a single departure,now represents the epitome of progress in NTA speak....

https://www.goaheadireland.ie/timetable-changes-45a-45b-59-63-63a-75-75a-111-175

Taken to it's extremes,this policy may not do much for Irelands CO2 emissions policy,nor indeed for route economics....:)

When the VTs were first bought they were to be used exclusively at peak times M-F on the 46a which probably made sense at the time however this meant they were lying idle at weekends I think this was back when the DoT limited the size of the DB fleet. Yes they are good at peak times but the rest of the time which is most the time they are surplus to requirements as most departures could be easily worked by a smaller bus.

Economics also tells us that when buying a box of corn flakes it's often better value for money to buy two regular sized boxes of cornflakes rather than a single family size box. I think it's better to have a larger quantity of regular sized buses than a smaller fleet wirh some larger buses. If they replace every VT with 1.5 regular sized buses that's still a considerable capacity increase. Dwell times are also awful on the VTs.

Stephen15 · 16-12-2018 1:50am

punisher5112 wrote: »

The av type was around 25k.

These should be more.

It would be nice to see one preserved.

punisher5112 · 16-12-2018 1:57am

Stephen15 wrote: »

It would be nice to see one preserved.

We should all contribute I would love to see one sent to the museum.

StreetLight · 16-12-2018 9:56am

Stephen15 wrote: »

When the VTs were first bought they were to be used exclusively at peak times M-F on the 46a which probably made sense at the time however this meant they were lying idle at weekends.

I don't know where you're getting that from. The VTs were first introduced to the 46A on a Sunday (18th of December 2005).

punisher5112 · 16-12-2018 11:41am

StreetLight wrote: »

I don't know where you're getting that from. The VTs were first introduced to the 46A on a Sunday (18th of December 2005).

It was moreso after they found they were eating the tyres for a few years they rarely done weekend works.

They had the lowest miles on them for their year for a long time too.

They do use them however anytime now as with loading.

thomasj · 16-12-2018 12:41pm

Strangely enough, phibsboro put the VTs on the 39s on a Sunday and put the SGs on the 39As.

Stephen15 · 16-12-2018 1:10pm

I don't see the big deal in the lose of the VTs as they are being replaced by 30 SGs that's 1.5 buses replacing every VT which is a capacity increase. Of course it's sad to see them go as they were a nice bus but increasing capacity is always a good thing surely.

p_haugh · 18-12-2018 4:24pm

6 of the 05 VTs have already been withdrawn and are being sent off to Ensign in the UK. Seen in Dublin Port this morning.
(Pictures are not mine).

48357083_2279738618938192_1404075957827928064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=910b987dfa9c6aba141bc05467341e2d&oe=5CAB93A7

48357083_2279738618938192_1404075957827928064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=910b987dfa9c6aba141bc05467341e2d&oe=5CAB93A7

48429575_2279738652271522_7630850957235978240_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=61cc89e22dc542ef7749b7658fb722c7&oe=5C9BD4E4

n!ghtmancometh · 18-12-2018 8:59pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

I don't see the big deal in the lose of the VTs as they are being replaced by 30 SGs that's 1.5 buses replacing every VT which is a capacity increase. Of course it's sad to see them go as they were a nice bus but increasing capacity is always a good thing surely.

Big deal is there is more demand than ever for busses. The VT's were also used on the 26/66/67 and 25's and would be jammed at peak times, to the point where they would often be full by the time they reached the south quays outbound in the evenings. All those routes will now have less capacity, longer waiting times and there is 2 drivers being used to service the route instead of one. I can't understand how you can't see the issue to be honest.

The VT's were a big success, hopefully the NTA will come around and buy some of those Edinburgh busses, but that would involve common sense, which has been serioulsy lacking in most of the NTA's actions so far.

AngryLips · 18-12-2018 9:31pm

I suppose the main problem with a bus of this size is that they only have one door. The longer dwell times of a one-door bus would be compounded by the fact that it is of much greater capacity. I wonder what the culture of using the second door is among DB drivers these days, I've found that the rear door is used much more often now, but passengers are still reluctant to queue to get off via the rear door because there's still the odd time when they don't open.

thomasj · 18-12-2018 9:37pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Big deal is there is more demand than ever for busses. The VT's were also used on the 26/66/67 and 25's and would be jammed at peak times, to the point where they would often be full by the time they reached the south quays outbound in the evenings. All those routes will now have less capacity, longer waiting times and there is 2 drivers being used to service the route instead of one. I can't understand how you can't see the issue to be honest.

The VTs on the Lucan road corridor will be around for another 2 years or so

Stephen15 · 18-12-2018 9:56pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Big deal is there is more demand than ever for busses. The VT's were also used on the 26/66/67 and 25's and would be jammed at peak times, to the point where they would often be full by the time they reached the south quays outbound in the evenings. All those routes will now have less capacity, longer waiting times and there is 2 drivers being used to service the route instead of one. I can't understand how you can't see the issue to be honest.

The VT's were a big success, hopefully the NTA will come around and buy some of those Edinburgh busses, but that would involve common sense, which has been serioulsy lacking in most of the NTA's actions so far.

The VTs that are being withdrawn are all 05 VTs which are exclusive to Donnybrook and almost exclusively operate the 46a meaning they don't operate on the Lucan corridor which I'd imagine is operated by either Phibsboro or Broadstone 07 VTs which I'd imagine will remain in service for another 2 or 3 years when the decision to either go back and purchase 50 tri-axles to replace them or purchase a larger quantity of regular sized deckers.

Remember Donnybrook has had the most routes go to GAI so there will be a large quantity of displaced drivers that can work a larger quantity of buses in Donnybrook. Also DB is currently in the middle of a recruitment drive.

punisher5112 · 18-12-2018 10:15pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

The VTs that are being withdrawn are all 05 VTs which are exclusive to Donnybrook and almost exclusively operate the 46a meaning they don't operate on the Lucan corridor which I'd imagine is operated by either Phibsboro or Broadstone 07 VTs which I'd imagine will remain in service for another 2 or 3 years when the decision to either go back and purchase 50 tri-axles to replace them or purchase a larger quantity of regular sized deckers.

Remember Donnybrook has had the most routes go to GAI so there will be a large quantity of displaced drivers that can work a larger quantity of buses in Donnybrook. Also DB is currently in the middle of a recruitment drive.

They increased service and took on the 15.

Still don't have enough drivers to cover.

Stephen15 · 18-12-2018 10:41pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

They increased service and took on the 15.

Still don't have enough drivers to cover.

Yeah but in January and February the 17, 18, 114 and 161 will all be gone from Donnybrook which should free up buses and drivers. Although I'm not sure how they'll manage it as the new route 155 will be introduced and the 54a will be getting an increase unless they can recruit enough drivers.

Dublin Bus selling some of its VTs

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