Dublin Coach Experience Discussion Thread

devnull · 20-06-2019 7:05pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I notice it's a UK company selling them but here you go anyways

Reg plates are on them in images so can be checked and have been checked. Dublin coaches no longer !

1,500,000km in less than 5 years service almost!

You'd hate to think how many km on the clock those ex Aircoach Setras have, bearing in mind there were some close to 3 million km when they left Aircoach and they've been with Dublin Coach a good few years now!

They also have some ex Aircoach Jonckheere SHV's, wonder if John O' is interested!

p_haugh · 16-08-2019 11:55pm

Was looking up where the Dublin Coach depot was just out of interest. They dont have much of a formal depot by the looks of it.
Most of the buses are parked up along the roads within the industrial estate with a few parked up in a yard beside the building
where I assume the offices/maintenence area is.

AndrewJRenko · 17-08-2019 12:01am

p_haugh wrote: »

Saw their mini bus with the retractable roof pulling into Dundrum just off the Airport - Dundrum service last week, madness!

I was getting the 6.45 pm service from the airport this evening. He pulled out of airport at 6.35 pm! Fortunately, we didn't hang around in terminal until the last minute! Is this their typical punctuality?

He went round the back of the runway to get on the M50 too.

road_high · 17-08-2019 12:05am

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I was getting the 6.45 pm service from the airport this evening. He pulled out of airport at 6.35 pm! Fortunately, we didn't hang around in terminal until the last minute! Is this their typical punctuality?

He went round the back of the runway to get on the M50 too.

There’s two different services- the Portlaoise/Kildare one and the Dundrum and both serve the Red Cow- where were you headed?

dowlingm · 17-08-2019 2:28am

Stephen15 wrote: »

Website here

https://www.airbus.ie/#about

bit careless of Aircoach not to have snapped that domain up already...

AndrewJRenko · 17-08-2019 4:37am

road_high wrote: »

There’s two different services- the Portlaoise/Kildare one and the Dundrum and both serve the Red Cow- where were you headed?

Dundrum - scheduled for 6.45, left at 6.35

JeffK88 · 17-08-2019 6:54am

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I was getting the 6.45 pm service from the airport this evening. He pulled out of airport at 6.35 pm! Fortunately, we didn't hang around in terminal until the last minute! Is this their typical punctuality?

He went round the back of the runway to get on the M50 too.

Yeah both services tend to use that route from time to time to avoid traffic on the M50/M1 Junction plus dropping drivers off at their Quick park depot. They roughly take same amount of time.

AndrewJRenko · 17-08-2019 11:21am

JeffK88 wrote: »

Yeah both services tend to use that route from time to time to avoid traffic on the M50/M1 Junction plus dropping drivers off at their Quick park depot. They roughly take same amount of time.

THanks - have others seen these early departures happening?

christin · 10-10-2019 8:27pm

I need to travel from kildare village to Dublin on saturday morning around 9am. Would anyone know if the dublin coach is usually on time on saturday mornings on the M7 into Dublin or is it ever delayed? Many Thanks.

WishUWereHere · 10-10-2019 8:32pm

christin wrote: »

I need to travel from kildare village to Dublin on saturday morning around 9am. Would anyone know if the dublin coach is usually on time on saturday mornings on the M7 into Dublin or is it ever delayed? Many Thanks.

In all honesty, anything can happen where DC is concerned. I’m in Newbridge, & we used always get a bus earlier than necessary in case of breakdown crash etc. we missed a flight once & because of this swore never to use them again.

belfast stephen · 10-10-2019 10:46pm

New coaches due in the early 2020 the deal is signed some of the coaches will go on to the belfast route with the 181 mercs going on to route 300 and the 161 mercs going on to the cork route all the Neopkan deckers are now off the road and the Ex arch setreas will follow

91wx763 · 11-10-2019 3:04pm

belfast stephen wrote: »

New coaches due in the early 2020 the deal is signed some of the coaches will go on to the belfast route with the 181 mercs going on to route 300 and the 161 mercs going on to the cork route all the Neopkan deckers are now off the road and the Ex arch setreas will follow

So that means the existing ones can be allowed have the wheels falling off ??? Seen Waterford today.

punisher5112 · 11-10-2019 3:08pm

91wx763 wrote: »

So that means the existing ones can be allowed have the wheels falling off ??? Seen Waterford today.

That's how it's meant to look.... That coach is ok.

91wx763 · 11-10-2019 3:13pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

That's how it's meant to look.... That coach is ok.

Totally disagree. There are three missing. You either use wheel nut covers or you don't. Halfway arrangements are worse than not using them.

punisher5112 · 11-10-2019 3:18pm

91wx763 wrote: »

Totally disagree. There are three missing. You either use wheel nut covers or you don't. Halfway arrangements are worse than not using them.

Well that wasn't stated...

Of course they should be replaced but they could well have been knocked off only recent.

Walk around each day should of course sort that.

91wx763 · 11-10-2019 7:58pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Well that wasn't stated...

Of course they should be replaced but they could well have been knocked off only recent.

Walk around each day should of course sort that.

You make me wonder......

You'll probably get them replaced tonight without getting the wheel torque checked.

I'll leave things there.

punisher5112 · 11-10-2019 8:00pm

91wx763 wrote: »

You make me wonder......

You'll probably get them replaced tonight without getting the wheel torque checked.

I'll leave things there.

I'm in no way arguing by the way...

The service or state of their vehicles don't seem to be great to be honest...

I won't miss them smokey setras.

The_Wanderer · 11-10-2019 9:58pm

christin wrote: »

I need to travel from kildare village to Dublin on saturday morning around 9am. Would anyone know if the dublin coach is usually on time on saturday mornings on the M7 into Dublin or is it ever delayed? Many Thanks.

Walk to the railway station and take the train...at least you know it will be reliable...and far faster.

91wx763 · 12-10-2019 8:23am

punisher5112 wrote: »

Well that wasn't stated...

Of course they should be replaced but they could well have been knocked off only recent.

Walk around each day should of course sort that.

Believe me or not but pictured vehicle is at the Red Cow luas this morning, no difference from yesterday with several off side caps missing too !!!!

WishUWereHere · 12-10-2019 8:47am

91wx763 wrote: »

Believe me or not but pictured vehicle is at the Red Cow luas this morning, no difference from yesterday with several off side caps missing too !!!!

Looking at the picture, it's not only the caps that are missing but it appears also the studs.

THAT IS DANGEROUS!!!

punisher5112 · 12-10-2019 9:52am

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Looking at the picture, it's not only the caps that are missing but it appears also the studs.

THAT IS DANGEROUS!!!

Studs are in behind the fancy chrome cover.

L1011 · 13-10-2019 12:23am

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Looking at the picture, it's not only the caps that are missing but it appears also the studs.

THAT IS DANGEROUS!!!

Zoom in, you can see the three wheel nuts fine. Having a selective approach to the indicator covers is sloppy; but the nuts are all there.

I can't think of any reason you'd have just three off (and the rest still in alignment) so they *might* have been swiped by a kid or something; but at the very least its another poor image from them.

road_high · 13-10-2019 12:48am

Dublin coach might be bad but I doubt even they drive around large buses with missing wheel nuts !

road_high · 13-10-2019 12:50am

belfast stephen wrote: »

New coaches due in the early 2020 the deal is signed some of the coaches will go on to the belfast route with the 181 mercs going on to route 300 and the 161 mercs going on to the cork route all the Neopkan deckers are now off the road and the Ex arch setreas will follow

Upgrades can’t come soon enough. The Waterford M9 route has become very popular but the buses are just terrible. Puts me off getting them completely. The Setras are like falling apart coffins at this stage. The maintenance alone must be massive

punisher5112 · 13-10-2019 12:52am

road_high wrote: »

Upgrades can’t come soon enough. The Waterford M9 route has become very popular but the buses are just terrible. Puts me off getting them completely. The Setras are like falling apart coffins at this stage. The maintenance alone must be massive

They were tired when aircoach retired them....

Serious mileage on them.,..

Burnt out is too nice a word.

Vic_08 · 13-10-2019 2:48pm

road_high wrote: »

Dublin coach might be bad but I doubt even they drive around large buses with missing wheel nuts !

Go back in this thread, they have had at least 1 coach loose a wheel in service.

WishUWereHere · 13-10-2019 2:59pm

L1011 wrote: »

Zoom in, you can see the three wheel nuts fine. Having a selective approach to the indicator covers is

sloppy; but the nuts are all there.

I can't think of any reason you'd have just three off (and the rest still in alignment) so they *might* have been swiped by a kid or something; but at the very least its another poor image from them.

I'm not so sure there are 3 wheel nuts behind the chrome cover. It looks to me like there is a gaping hole where the nuts ought to be. Besides, what do You think holds the plastic green nut covers in place then?

Edit: on second look, it's actually hard to say if there are or not nuts there. Perhaps, I'm a case for specsavers lol

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 13-10-2019 3:06pm

I can see clearly that wheel has a full set of nuts on it

Only the plastic green cover is missing.

Anyway, it wasn't that long ago a wheel fell off a dublin bus while in service

Also where are dublin buses wheel nut indicators ? Oh yeah they don't have any !

ExoPolitic · 17-10-2019 12:12pm

I like the setras, but only for the seat and legroom. The heaters dont work and usually rattle all over the place. But they are the comfiest coach to catch to Dublin from Waterford.

AlekSmart · 17-10-2019 3:41pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I can see clearly that wheel has a full set of nuts on it

Only the plastic green cover is missing.

Anyway, it wasn't that long ago a wheel fell off a dublin bus while in service

Also where are dublin buses wheel nut indicators ? Oh yeah they don't have any !

Not all owners or operators use these Indicators.
They are not a mandatory fitment,but rather an aid to early detection of loosening wheelnuts,particularly on fleets which recieve less preventitive maintenance.
It is almost invariably the Nearside Rear set of wheelnuts which loosen,something which is the focus of much study in the Commercial Vehicle industry.
The DublinCoach Vehicle wheel pictured,is a trailing steered axle with one wheel and has a full set of Wheelnuts/studs,with the remaining indicators showing no issues with security.

Many larger operators,such as Dublin Bus,use plastic markers only to indicate individual wheels due a re-torquing (part of a set procedure) after a wheel/tyre change,with All vehicles then being physically checked by Maintenance Staff on a strict rota.
Each check must be signed for and recorded,and the Torque Wrenches also must be checked,trued up and signed off on a regular basis.

The last wheel shedding incident in Dublin Bus was four years ago.

With Dublin Bus operating 1,010 vehicles operating 57,000,000 Km per anum,over a daily 20 hour window,thats 40,000 plus wheelnuts being regularly checked,which is reflected in the lack of wheel dislocation incidents.

punisher5112 · 17-10-2019 6:25pm

In db we check each day before the bus goes out....

There was a bus lost the complete rear two on one side but it was found to be a faulty hub and it snapped off.

Maintenance have a routine check and when a wheel is changed they go back at it the next day and torque tighten by hand with a huge extension bar.

eljono · 28-10-2019 2:47pm

Hi folks, wondering if anyone can help me figure something out.

I understand that Dublin Coach operates Limerick City routes 307 and 308 under contract to the National Transport Authority. Because of this, are they under contract to stick the timetabled slots published?

I ask because yesterday when waiting for the last bus of the day, we saw the bus continue straight up O'Connell St. instead of turning right up William St. where the bus stop is. We waited in case he was coming back but he didn't, meaning we were left stranded and had to pay for a taxi home. Looks like the driver decided to finish early and not do the last route of the night.

If indeed Dublin Coach are obliged to stick to the timetabled routes under the contract terms, then I wonder if they can/should be penalized for such breaches.

punisher5112 · 28-10-2019 3:32pm

eljono wrote: »

Hi folks, wondering if anyone can help me figure something out.

I understand that Dublin Coach operates Limerick City routes 307 and 308 under contract to the National Transport Authority. Because of this, are they under contract to stick the timetabled slots published?

I ask because yesterday when waiting for the last bus of the day, we saw the bus continue straight up O'Connell St. instead of turning right up William St. where the bus stop is. We waited in case he was coming back but he didn't, meaning we were left stranded and had to pay for a taxi home. Looks like the driver decided to finish early and not do the last route of the night.

If indeed Dublin Coach are obliged to stick to the timetabled routes under the contract terms, then I wonder if they can/should be penalized for such breaches.

Contact the NTA and DC and send them a copy of the receipt.
They will have to reimburse.

Yes they must do the route and 1st and last bus are the most important and must run.

They have to provide the services they are getting well paid to provide.

devnull · 28-10-2019 4:25pm

eljono wrote: »

Hi folks, wondering if anyone can help me figure something out.

I understand that Dublin Coach operates Limerick City routes 307 and 308 under contract to the National Transport Authority. Because of this, are they under contract to stick the timetabled slots published?

If indeed Dublin Coach are obliged to stick to the timetabled routes under the contract terms, then I wonder if they can/should be penalized for such breaches.

The routes are comercially licensed, self funded, privately operated services and they are not operated under contract to the National Transport Authority, so your first port of call should be the operator and if they do not resolve it then you can contact the NTA, but they have less power than they do over directly contracted, publicily funded routes.

punisher5112 wrote: »

They have to provide the services they are getting well paid to provide.

They are not paid anything for the routes.

ExoPolitic · 31-10-2019 9:44am

road_high wrote: »

Upgrades can’t come soon enough. The Waterford M9 route has become very popular but the buses are just terrible. Puts me off getting them completely. The Setras are like falling apart coffins at this stage. The maintenance alone must be massive

To be fair, it is busy enough to go hourly now. Many many times, they leave people behind even at the first stop in Dublin.

punisher5112 · 31-10-2019 10:19am

devnull wrote: »

The routes are comercially licensed, self funded, privately operated services and they are not operated under contract to the National Transport Authority, so your first port of call should be the operator and if they do not resolve it then you can contact the NTA, but they have less power than they do over directly contracted, publicily funded routes.

They are not paid anything for the routes.

Brain fart.... Apologies I had go ahead in my head for some unknown reason....

Really don't know how I done that.

tabbey · 31-10-2019 8:01pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Brain fart.... Apologies I had go ahead in my head for some unknown reason....

Really don't know how I done that.

Senior moments, many of us have them.

punisher5112 · 31-10-2019 8:03pm

tabbey wrote: »

Senior moments, many of us have them.

You said it, usually it's I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago....

road_high · 01-11-2019 9:45pm

ExoPolitic wrote: »

To be fair, it is busy enough to go hourly now. Many many times, they leave people behind even at the first stop in Dublin.

Would be great. Is that likely to happen?

ExoPolitic · 02-11-2019 10:40am

road_high wrote: »

Would be great. Is that likely to happen?

From basic business sense, yes. Whether they have the spare vehicles, probably not yet.

Odyssey 2005 · 02-11-2019 10:51am

ExoPolitic wrote: »

From basic business sense, yes. Whether they have the spare vehicles, probably not yet.

If they're using those setras as fleet vehicles, I'm glad not to see their 'spare vehicles 'on the road

road_high · 03-11-2019 1:16pm

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

If they're using those setras as fleet vehicles, I'm glad not to see their 'spare vehicles 'on the road

They possibly hire in from other companies for breakdowns?

Jamie2k9 · 03-11-2019 3:07pm

Traveled twice in recent days. No idea what type of bus, yes old but don’t see anything really wrong with it.

Always felt extending Waterford-Cork was a little odd but they have really filled the gap for Kilkenny-Cork left by BE. Lot of student traffic. They have send there double decker on M9 a few Fridays.

road_high · 03-11-2019 5:21pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Traveled twice in recent days. No idea what type of bus, yes old but don’t see anything really wrong with it.

Always felt extending Waterford-Cork was a little odd but they have really filled the gap for Kilkenny-Cork left by BE. Lot of student traffic. They have send there double decker on M9 a few Fridays.

Lot of traffic between Waterford and cork too so picks that up that as well- not sure I’d fancy the full Dublin to cork journey on one- do they stop in Waterford for a comfort break? That could be 4 hours plus on a very poor bus otherwise. My idea of hell.
It could be a tear service if they had new buses and hourly timetables

road_high · 03-11-2019 5:22pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Traveled twice in recent days. No idea what type of bus, yes old but don’t see anything really wrong with it.

Always felt extending Waterford-Cork was a little odd but they have really filled the gap for Kilkenny-Cork left by BE. Lot of student traffic. They have send there double decker on M9 a few Fridays.

Lot of traffic between Waterford and cork too so picks that up that as well- not sure I’d fancy the full Dublin to cork journey on one- do they stop in Waterford for a comfort break? That could be 4 hours plus on a very poor bus otherwise. My idea of hell.
It could be a great service service if they had new buses and hourly timetables

Guy:Incognito · 03-11-2019 5:51pm

The driving leaves a lot to be desired when I encounter them on the M50.

Coming down the slip on to the motorway one of the days last week and the cars werent moving quick enough for the Dublin coach driver so off he goes pulling accross the hatched area, straight out to the middle lane, despite nothing being in the driving lane.

I've been overtaken a couple of times while showing an indicated 105+ in the work Caddy. Are they not limited to 100? They had to have been doing 5 -10 kmh more than me .

punisher5112 · 03-11-2019 6:09pm

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The driving leaves a lot to be desired when I encounter them on the M50.

Coming down the slip on to the motorway one of the days last week and the cars werent moving quick enough for the Dublin coach driver so off he goes pulling accross the hatched area, straight out to the middle lane, despite nothing being in the driving lane.

I've been overtaken a couple of times while showing an indicated 105+ in the work Caddy. Are they not limited to 100? They had to have been doing 5 -10 kmh more than me .

100km/h is top permitted speed.
No standing and seat belts must be fitted and worn.

Standing buses are set at 65km/h

Jamie2k9 · 03-11-2019 6:58pm

road_high wrote: »

Lot of traffic between Waterford and cork too so picks that up that as well- not sure I’d fancy the full Dublin to cork journey on one- do they stop in Waterford for a comfort break? That could be 4 hours plus on a very poor bus otherwise. My idea of hell.
It could be a great service service if they had new buses and hourly timetables

They have BE between Waterford/Cork. Kilkenny-Dublin, Waterford and Cork, Waterford-Dublin are probably most used parts.

The 14.00 from Dublin today was full from Kilkenny, whatever got off in Waterford was replaced. Took 30 minutes from arriving at first Kilkenny stop to leaving the second. 3-4 left behind.

road_high · 03-11-2019 7:59pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They have BE between Waterford/Cork. Kilkenny-Dublin, Waterford and Cork, Waterford-Dublin are probably most used parts.

The 14.00 from Dublin today was full from Kilkenny, whatever got off in Waterford was replaced. Took 30 minutes from arriving at first Kilkenny stop to leaving the second. 3-4 left behind.

Kilkenny is fairly poorly served by public transport so these incidents are inevitable. Was on a random Sunday train lately to Dublin midday and it was full from Kilkenny- driver was on the blower to passengers to take all bags off seats. Could badly do with more trains and bus options to from Dublin in particular

Jamie2k9 · 03-11-2019 8:45pm

road_high wrote: »

Kilkenny is fairly poorly served by public transport so these incidents are inevitable. Was on a random Sunday train lately to Dublin midday and it was full from Kilkenny- driver was on the blower to passengers to take all bags off seats. Could badly do with more trains and bus options to from Dublin in particular

Sunday service is terrible, 4 daily for about 20 years now. Although they have added a extra daily from today for next few weeks to deal with demand. The previous approach of driving customers away from the 18.05 has failed this year and they have given in after 8 weeks.

Not been able or wanting to restore the 18.05 to a 6 car train has come to cost then!

Dublin Coach Experience Discussion Thread

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