GoBe Cork - Dublin Airport Expansion

Yggr of Asgard · 25-03-2019 6:24pm

The waiting room in Cork is a nice edition during the past cold and rain period.

I also agree about the coaches used, on my Friday to Cork I now always get the 181 and on the way back it's usually a new one. But loads are low, right now we are 14 but it's great as that allowed me to go earlier and still have loads of room.

I hope that they keep the route (and may be run some more airport direct) because I prefer the coaches and staff over Aircoach.

devnull · 25-03-2019 7:38pm

bk wrote: »

If anything I feel they are reducing prices like this to gain more marketshare, given that Aircoach seem weaker at the moment under new management.

The new Aircoach management team certainly have a better customer service focus than the last one and are also keener to embrace modern technology, hence why you've seen a mobile friendly website, coach tracking and being the first operator to offer contactless payment with more things to come.

However their new management seems to lack commercial acumen. They have a commercial manager now, which they never had before, I presume since the former MD was very strong in this area, they didn't need one. Now with a new MD with strength in operations and customer services but less so commercially, they've probably decided to hire an additional staff member to cover this area.

The problem is though, the commercial side of things seems to be totally passive. GoBe undercut Aircoach on Dublin to Cork for a couple of months. There was no commercial response. GoBe are undercutting them on Cork to Dublin Airport, there's no commercial response. I do not understand how that makes good commercial sense. It seems awfully complacent and betting on your customers not going to the competition who literally depart and have an office right next to you in Cork.

If you have much higher volume than the competition, you should be able to beat them on price, since at a lower price point your yields will still be better than theirs because of your higher volumes. If you are cheaper and offer a more comprehensive service, which Aircoach does, there should be little customer bleed. So then GoBe by reducing their fares will reduce the income from their existing customers, who previously paid higher fares, without attracting enough extra punters to make up for it.

This is how Aircoach forced GoBe into a retreat in 2012, they easily won the battle because they were ruthless. At the moment it seems like Aircoach is just allowing the competition to undercut them and is doing nothing about it and that is very risky, especially when the competition offers a better onboard experience with more comfortable vehicles.

Markcheese · 25-03-2019 9:31pm

Was on a aircoach from Dublin airport to Cork last week,
Its not easy getting an info on which services go direct to cork without having to go the city,
So it ended up being a 4 hour trip home,
The bus was new and comfortable, but I won't travel with them again, until they have a separate and predictable direct route...
Didn't know gobe did a direct service..

bk · 25-03-2019 11:01pm

Markcheese wrote: »

Was on a aircoach from Dublin airport to Cork last week,
Its not easy getting an info on which services go direct to cork without having to go the city,

Non do, from Dublin Airport, all stop at Dublin City before going to Cork.
Going from Cork, only 3 of 20 odd departures skip Dublin airport.

They may do more if there are enough people to fill two coaches and one can skip the city, but no guarantee on that. The above schedule is on their website.

GoBE, only do 2 departures that skip Dublin City going from the airport, so not much better and 5 in the other direction.

I'd wonder if eventually if there would be enough demand for genuine around the clock Cork - Dublin City and Cork - Dublin Airport services. Aircoach is probably closer to be able to do that then GoBE.

Yggr of Asgard · 25-03-2019 11:10pm

Markcheese wrote: »

Didn't know gobe did a direct service..

There are 2 from the Airport to Cork at 0100 and 1600 (1600 start in the city at 1530, goes to their airport and then to cork).

There are 5 from Cork to the Airport at 01:30, 03:30, 05:30, 07:30 and 09:30 but after that, all is going via Dublin City.

I wish there were more from airport to cork than 2.

bk · 25-03-2019 11:26pm

devnull, I'm really surprised Aircoach is persisting with the Panthers on the intercity routes. The Panthers are a pretty good choice for the Dublin City - Airport routes, but they are the poorest coach of any of the privates on the intercity routes.

Everyone else was using at least Volvo 9700's, which are arguably somewhat better, but they all seem to be upping their game moving up to even nicer Mercs.

I get why they went with the Panthers in the first place, but I'm surprised they didn't change it up for at least the intercity routes in the last 2 years. They are leaving themselves open to losing a lot of customers on these routes.

BTW I note they don't take the Free Travel Pass on the intercity routes, GoBE do now.

Padraig Mor · 26-03-2019 9:40am

bk wrote: »

They seem to be much busier these days. Been a few times I've been on it recently now and either almost completely full or very close to it. I wouldn't say Aircoach levels, but definitely much busier.

As a regular (every few months) user (to Dublin city), I've definitely noticed it getting busier - presumably due in part to them now taking travel passes. Good for GoBE - but I, and I'm sure others, pay extra for GoBE precisely because it's quieter than Aircoach - on GoBE, I would normally expect to get a pair of seats to myself (off peak services). If I'm going to be shoehorned into a packed bus, why not just pay less and use Aircoach?!

Note that some GoBE buses are also used for the Cobh Connect service (which is absolutely flying).

Ardennes1944 · 26-03-2019 9:46am

I would absolutely love it if there was a Dublin Airport direct to Cork option, flying in for a long weekend at home means losing an hour getting in and out of the city on a Friday.

bk · 26-03-2019 10:44am

Padraig Mor wrote: »

As a regular (every few months) user (to Dublin city), I've definitely noticed it getting busier - presumably due in part to them now taking travel passes. Good for GoBE - but I, and I'm sure others, pay extra for GoBE precisely because it's quieter than Aircoach - on GoBE, I would normally expect to get a pair of seats to myself (off peak services). If I'm going to be shoehorned into a packed bus, why not just pay less and use Aircoach?!

Yep, that is the main reason I use them over Aircoach too. More likely to get a seat next to you free.

It is a balance, ideally you want them getting enough business to keep going, but not so busy to be full. Previously I was worried that they would shutdown, but it looks healthier now.

Even if both GoBE and Aircoach were full, I'd still take the GoBE I think. It actually isn't that much more expensive. Normal price is €23 versus €20 return. However if you join the GoBE club, you get every 10th trip free, so if you are a regular that basically makes it €20.70 per trip. Only 70cent more then Aircoach.

I think the 70 cent would be worth it for the slightly better coach and better leg room even if both would full. Plus the ability to book online up to an hour in advance, Aircoach system is poor in this regard.

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Note that some GoBE buses are also used for the Cobh Connect service (which is absolutely flying).

I haven't seen any actual GoBE coaches used on this route. They do use similar looking coaches, but Cobh Connect look to be mostly dual axle Volvo 9700's, while GoBE are larger tr-axle 9700's

There is some relationship with them sharing a waiting room, but I'm not sure how deep it goes.

Padraig Mor · 26-03-2019 11:40am

bk wrote: »

I haven't seen any actual GoBE coaches used on this route. They do use similar looking coaches, but Cobh Connect look to be mostly dual axle Volvo 9700's, while GoBE are larger tr-axle 9700's

There is some relationship with them sharing a waiting room, but I'm not sure how deep it goes.

Relationship is very deep. Actual GoBE coaches are used for Cobh all the time - not just filling in etc (and a Railtours yellow bus!). I'd say at least 30% of the Cobh services are run on GoBE branded buses, if not more*. I also recognise some of the drivers on Cobh Connect branded buses as GoBE drivers. CC is a major success - peak services would often have three coaches running for a single departure time.

*My neighbour, who is visually impaired, had a lucky escape a while back. Boarded a GoBE bus at the Cobh Connect stop thinking it was going to Cobh.........only to realise at the last minute from overheard conversation that it was going to Dublin!

Markcheese · 26-03-2019 12:10pm

Air coaches wonderful you have to book by 5pm the previous day system leaves a lot to be desired, and you're not always sure of getting the "next bus" if your flight is delayed...

bk · 26-03-2019 12:24pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Relationship is very deep. Actual GoBE coaches are used for Cobh all the time - not just filling in etc (and a Railtours yellow bus!). I'd say at least 30% of the Cobh services are run on GoBE branded buses, if not more*. I also recognise some of the drivers on Cobh Connect branded buses as GoBE drivers. CC is a major success - peak services would often have three coaches running for a single departure time.

Great to hear this route is doing so well in such a short time.

I just checked, it seems to be Barrys Coaches who have the Cobh Connect route license.

I believe Barry's is part of the Bernard Kavangh group of companies. Barrys/Eirebus/BK operated most of the GoBE coaches in the early days, though I think GoBE use more of their own now, but their is clearly still a deep relationship as you say.

I'd suspect the GoBE branded coaches you see on the Cobh Connect are actually Barrys/BK owned coaches, it sounds like BK are using them on both routes.

BK has long used their coaches all over the country. It isn't unusual for BK owned coaches in different branding to operate different services. For instance GoBE branded coaches have operated to Galway for GoBus!

And yes, not great for the public, can be very confusing for folks like your neighbours.

devnull · 26-03-2019 1:21pm

Markcheese wrote: »

Air coaches wonderful you have to book by 5pm the previous day system leaves a lot to be desired, and you're not always sure of getting the "next bus" if your flight is delayed...

Better to have to book before 5pm the day before and be guaranteed that they will be able to take you as they have time to organise extra capacity to meet whatever demand that exists rather than the GoBe system of capping the online bookings at a certain level and then saying, tough, we're full.

I had this experience a week back when I tried to book 5 tickets for GoBe services 4 days ahead and the departures I wanted didn't have enough room so GoBe turned me away as their system whilst allowing flexibility in booking to the last minute, it doesn't give them the opportunity to plan ahead operationally.

This doesn't help GoBe because they're essentially limiting themselves to a coach load of passengers for every departure time, whereas Aircoach could take multiple relief coaches without turning anyone away as long as they are booking by the previous day. With GoBe you'll be left stranded by the roadside because their one and only coach is full.

I think generally both Aircoach and GoBes policy is fair with accepting tickets on the next services, you should see National Expresses policy in the UK. If you miss your bus because your flight was late you pay again. They even sell an add -on which is not really cheap, to allow you to be covered if your flight is late. To me that is fundamentally wrong.

What I'm saying is to plan capacity adequately you either have to limit the number of customers you take (which means turning willing customers away) or take unlimited customers but close the bookings early enough that you can ensure they can all be accommodated and you can provide said capacity. If you have unlimited customers and can book up to minutes before departure you are going to end up with lots of customers stranded on the roadside.

The other thing is that if GoBe are full they are full so you're not going to jaunt down to their stop on the off-chance. With Aircoach you note they never use the word full and passengers know that even if they cannot book before 5pm they will still have some chance of getting on the vehicle, because the bus isn't full.

devnull · 26-03-2019 1:24pm

bk wrote: »

I'd suspect the GoBE branded coaches you see on the Cobh Connect are actually Barrys/BK owned coaches, it sounds like BK are using them on both routes.

BK has long used their coaches all over the country. It isn't unusual for BK owned coaches in different branding to operate different services. For instance GoBE branded coaches have operated to Galway for GoBus!

Some of the GoBe services are still operated by Barrys, quite a few more of them are now run in house than previously, but they still contract out to Bernard K a little bit, You can tell which coaches are Bernard K - they are normally the ones without route displays in the front windows, as all GoBus's vehicles have these and Bernard K ones rarely do.

Incidentally Bernard Kavanagh has been known to operate the same vehicles on the GoBe 707, the Aircoach 704X and the Bus Eireann X8 in the same week, which is quite something

Yggr of Asgard · 12-07-2019 5:58am

This morning we had a 192 bus with brown seats which felt completely new.

The leg room was huge and the recline of the seats was spectacular.

I am not a bus expert so I do not know what type this was but it looks and feels great.

soundman45 · 12-07-2019 6:28am

192 volvo on the 6am Dub - Cork. Whilst im a big fan of Aircoach and what they do the Go BE fleet are far superior coaches for passengers yet the seem to struggle to attract passengers on the Cork route

Yggr of Asgard · 12-07-2019 6:32am

soundman45 wrote: »

192 volvo on the 6am Dub - Cork. Whilst im a big fan of Aircoach and what they do the Go BE fleet are far superior coaches for passengers yet the seem to struggle to attract passengers on the Cork route

You on that one?

Yggr of Asgard · 12-07-2019 9:01am

I like this new bus, even the WC is way better.

I still can't understand why not more people are using the service. I had 2 occassions on which I was the only passenger on the 0600 am.

With the waiting room in Cork to hide if it rains and the drivers usually being super friendly it is strange thay people pay more for Aircoach.

devnull · 12-07-2019 9:18am

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

I like this new bus, even the WC is way better.

I still can't understand why not more people are using the service. I had 2 occassions on which I was the only passenger on the 0600 am.

Probably because Aircoach have been running Dublin to Cork services for about 15 years now and when they launched Dublin to Cork non stop in 2012 they had a significent head start on GoBe and also was much cheaper and much more comprehensive in the service that GoBE offered when they launched until last year. When GoBus started on the Cork route the way Aircoach fought them off, resulting in GoBus making service cuts and price rises, was a textbook example of how to deal with a new entrant into a market.

The recent improvements to fares, commercial strategy and service frequency in the last year or so by GoBus just happened to co-incide with the ex Aircoach MD, widely regarded as one of the finest commercial brains in the business, joining Bus Eireann at a C level position. He is a great loss to Aircoach. I think the new Aircoach MD has brought more of a customer focus and some new operational ideas to the table and far better use of technology, but isn't the commercial brain that former MD Allen Parker was.

Aircoach always used to be the leader in comfort, by far ahead of their competitiors with their 2003/2004 high end Setras with 44 seats at 12.2m and 2008/2009 high spec Jonckheeres with 53 seats at 14m but when they switched to their more basic Panthers with 53 seats (or 49 + toilet) at 12.6m they really downgraded their product to the point where now I don't think they are worthy of the Travel in Luxury slogan like their preccessors.

Chris_5339762 · 13-07-2019 9:56am

It really would be useful, I think, if Aircoach and/or GoBe extended to Cork Airport.

Cork Airport - Cork - Dublin Airport - Dublin - Cork - Cork Airport

Would improve the diabolical transport from Cork Airport to Cork and would be really useful when I'm doing odd flight connections. Could park at Cork Airport, bus to Dublin for a direct flight to whereever, and then get a slightly more expensive connecting flight home to Cork.

n97 mini · 13-07-2019 1:03pm

They wouldn't be able to pick up in Cork airport and drop off in Cork city, or pick up in Cork and drop at Cork airport, so it'd be of limited use to Cork people wanting to use their local airport.

Chris_5339762 · 13-07-2019 2:24pm

Thats the thing though, why not? There is no earthly reason (other than some licensing) why they couldn't.

devnull · 13-07-2019 2:43pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Thats the thing though, why not? There is no earthly reason (other than some licensing) why they couldn't.

Wouldn't be given a license for it I'd say, as Cork to Cork Airport is already served by a public service obligation route funded by the taxpayer. Besides the extension to the route that you suggested would not be commercially viable so neither GoBe or Aircoach would be interested in doing it in a million years.

soundman45 · 13-07-2019 6:31pm

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

You on that one?

Lovely new coach and your man.driving dressed like he was going out for a pint on a Saturday night, strange set up.

Yggr of Asgard · 13-07-2019 7:10pm

soundman45 wrote: »

Lovely new coach and your man.driving dressed like he was going out for a pint on a Saturday night, strange set up.

That driver is always great and always manages to arrive a little early. Unfortunately he is now doing tours so he is less on the route.

But I agree that coach was nice, hopefully I get that one again.

belfast stephen · 13-07-2019 8:37pm

What kind of coach is it on a 192 Reg

devnull · 13-07-2019 8:40pm

belfast stephen wrote: »

What kind of coach is it on a 192 Reg

Vplvo 9900, it's not a GoBus / GoBe coach it's a Bernard Kavanagh coach that normally operates on CIE Tours duties in that livery, so isn't likely to be a regular occurance.

belfast stephen · 13-07-2019 8:50pm

There has been a Volvo 9900 coach on GoBe service a few times

belfast stephen · 13-07-2019 8:52pm

I see GoBe Aircoach and Citylink are moving stops in cork

We wish to advise our customers to faciliate ongoing works on St. Patrick's Quay, our normal pick up and set down stop will be temporally relocate to Alfred Street from 06:00hrs on 19th July 2019 until 16th August 2019

devnull · 13-07-2019 9:01pm

belfast stephen wrote: »

There has been a Volvo 9900 coach on GoBe service a few times

When not required for tours yes, but Bernard Kavanagh's 9900's are primarily for tour use on behalf of CIE.

Old diesel · 13-07-2019 9:20pm

Only problem with the 9900 is that a customer might feel let down if an "less nice" coach arrives the next time.

The 9900 sets an expectation that the regular coach can't match.

Havent been on a 9900 - but it's the high level offering from a company who as standard norms gets its coach offerings spot on from a passenger viewpoint.

So I expect that it's completely lovely to travel on

n97 mini · 13-07-2019 10:03pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Thats the thing though, why not? There is no earthly reason (other than some licensing) why they couldn't.

Same reason I can't get off the bus from the airport to Ballina at Lucan, even though it stops there (pick up only): Licensing.

It's ironic that in many cases those living further from an airport have a better service than those who live closer, but here we are.

belfast stephen · 13-07-2019 10:50pm

devnull wrote: »

When not required for tours yes, but Bernard Kavanagh's 9900's are primarily for tour use on behalf of CIE.

Only 1 of the 9900 coaches is in CIE tours livery the rest are in Bernard Kavanagh livery with TAUCK names which is another tour company Bernard Kavanagh do work for

belfast stephen · 13-07-2019 11:39pm

The 192 Reg coach is s Volvo B11R MCV project 523

Yggr of Asgard · 14-07-2019 7:34am

devnull wrote: »

Vplvo 9900, it's not a GoBus / GoBe coach it's a Bernard Kavanagh coach that normally operates on CIE Tours duties in that livery, so isn't likely to be a regular occurance.

That is what I suspected, looks like the driver/coach is a pairing and as he did not have tours that day he did the dublin-cork run.

Yggr of Asgard · 14-07-2019 7:45am

belfast stephen wrote: »

I see GoBe Aircoach and Citylink are moving stops in cork

We wish to advise our customers to faciliate ongoing works on St. Patrick's Quay, our normal pick up and set down stop will be temporally relocate to Alfred Street from 06:00hrs on 19th July 2019 until 16th August 2019

Nothing on the website yet, but twitter has a nice picture

https://twitter.com/GoBeCork/status/1149709899775008773

belfast stephen · 14-07-2019 9:44am

http://gobe.ie/temporary-stop-closure/

https://www.aircoach.ie/news/service-704x-temporary-stop-relocation

https://www.citylink.ie/useful-info/service-updates

soundman45 · 14-07-2019 9:50am

n97 mini wrote: »

Same reason I can't get off the bus from the airport to Ballina at Lucan, even though it stops there (pick up only): Licensing.

It's ironic that in many cases those living further from an airport have a better service than those who live closer, but here we are.

You have a direct service every hour on the Airport Hopper, not good enough?

n97 mini · 14-07-2019 10:18pm

soundman45 wrote: »

You have a direct service every hour on the Airport Hopper, not good enough?

Not really. Last bus is at 21.50. Last BE bus to Ballina at 23.20 in contrast.

Yggr of Asgard · 19-07-2019 6:24am

192 this morning at 0600 from Dublin again.

Still only approx 20 passengers.

Yggr of Asgard · 09-08-2019 11:12pm

Wow the 1700 to Cork (141 model) was full to the last seat. I usual take the 0600 which is empty.

Also Alfred Street will continue to be the stop until 16 August now.

bk · 11-08-2019 4:06pm

The Friday of the August Bank Holiday weekend, they operated two coaches to Cork at the 6:30 departure!

Not completely full, but the one I was on was like 95% full.

Also, this shows they aren't constrained by their booking system. We were able to book fairly last minute. So they don't just stop taking bookings online when the first coach is full, they can make a decision to lay on a second coach or not and obviously update the booking system accordingly.

Alfred Street is actually a really nice location in terms of waiting (sheltered from the river) and easy for people pick up and drop off by car. Only downside is it is further from the city for the many people walking from the city center.

One bad thing, the toilet door kept popping open with people in it! Yes even if locked properly. In the locked position it wasn't really engaging the door and you had to hold it to keep it from flinging open. Surely this would be something easy to fix.

Sounds like they are doing better and better on this route.

Yggr of Asgard · 25-08-2019 10:43pm

So I popped into the little office today hoping to get on the 1730 instead of 1830 back to Dublin and she told me that the coach is booked out but that it should not be a problem at all because sold out simply means 40 tickets sold not really full which she said was about 57.

Driver (one of the regulars) just smiled and said "sure, go right ahead" and in the end it was not full with some seats still available.

Yggr of Asgard · 06-09-2019 6:01am

Wow this morning the 0600 from Dublin to Cork is a 191 bus with with a large “Tauck” logo painted on the side next to the operated by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd..

This seems to be a bus for American tourists on tour and this is the most generous leg room I have so far seen on this route.

soundman45 · 06-09-2019 10:32am

Thats where GOBE hammer Aircoach, the coaches they have are way superior and if I was going to Cork would use them for that reason alone.

p_haugh · 06-09-2019 2:55pm

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

Wow this morning the 0600 from Dublin to Cork is a 191 bus with with a large “Tauck” logo painted on the side next to the operated by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons Ltd..

This seems to be a bus for American tourists on tour and this is the most generous leg room I have so far seen on this route.

That would be their latest edition, a Volvo B11R 9900. Very nice looking indeed.

It is also sometimes used on the National Express route from Cork to London, although I believe it only brings them to the ferry in Rosslare,
and the passengers get another bus on arrival in the UK.
(photo not my own)

Yggr of Asgard · 18-10-2019 5:44am

This morning the bus continues to stand at the old area and it was something I never had before.

An 171 with a different inside with grey seats offering a slightly bigger leg room (not as much as the bus for American tourist we had a couple of weeks ago) but somehow narrower seats .

Completely white outside with a couple of GoBus stickers and a cork Dublin cork sticker at the front.

devnull · 18-10-2019 6:58am

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

This morning the bus continues to stand at the old area and it was something I never had before.

An 171 with a different inside with grey seats offering a slightly bigger leg room (not as much as the bus for American tourist we had a couple of weeks ago) but somehow narrower seats .

Completely white outside with a couple of GoBus stickers and a cork Dublin cork sticker at the front.

Will be a Bernard Kavanagh vehicle, Bernard Kavanagh are well known for basically almost using Guinevere and a random set of balls to pick what bus operates on their subcontracted services. Everything under the sun has appeared on that route since it started over 6 years ago!

They just stick a sticker on the vehicle and away it goes, over the years on the Bernard Kavanagh stuff on the route I must have seen about a dozen different types of coach, pretty much if it's been sold in Ireland it's been on there!

This was one of my favourites in the early years for sheer randmoness,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vc105-theroseofdonegal/8125990719/in/photolist-do4PWg

There's also another one at one point that had a Eurolines Logo, remaints of a GoBus paint job and another badge for a holiday company and a GoBe Sticker.

Padraig Mor · 18-10-2019 9:06am

devnull wrote: »

This was one of my favourites in the early years for sheer randmoness,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vc105-theroseofdonegal/8125990719/in/photolist-do4PWg

That (or very similar) yellow Railtours bus was being used a lot (as in, daily) on the Cobh Connect service for a good number of months this year, although I haven't seen it in a little while now.

Yggr of Asgard · 21-10-2019 6:02pm

First time ever, Bus just broke down 10 minutes outside Cork on the motorway. The bus was the 151 with the broken toilet door.

Standing off the motorway now and they just send a different bus to pick us up, no wait for the 1830.

High spirits and a 20 minute wait but that is life.

Such fun.

GoBe Cork - Dublin Airport Expansion

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