Will you use public transport as much after the lockdown?

monument · 02-05-2020 2:57pm #1

As per the thread title: Will you use public transport as much after the lockdown?

kildarecommuter · 02-05-2020 2:58pm

Yes !

ITV2 · 02-05-2020 4:41pm

Yes, and I have to I drive it.

Xterminator · 02-05-2020 5:43pm

i had an opportunity to work from home one day a week before this all started, and i wasnt too keen on it.

Im going to try to change the dynamic there and suggest i work form home several days a week going forward.

Cookie_Monster · 05-05-2020 1:08pm

Yes, in so much as I don't use it now or before and will continue not to use it after

GT89 · 05-05-2020 3:51pm

It won't put me off using public transport. But I don't think I will need to be using it as much as I was

bk · 05-05-2020 5:37pm

The questions are somewhat constrained.

I'll definitely won't go near a bus until a vaccine is widespread or the disease has burned itself out.

But before this I mostly WFH already and when I did go into the office, I walked, since no bus went that way. However I frequently used the bus to shop and socialise. I definitely won't be doing that now.

Interestingly on other forums that aren't specifically transport related, I've seen a majority opinion of people who are working from home for the first time saying that they love it and are more productive and will want to continue WFH either partly or fully once things go back to "normal".

I think we could see some very long term changes to work and travel patterns after this.

thomil · 05-05-2020 10:48pm

bk wrote: »

Interestingly on other forums that aren't specifically transport related, I've seen a majority opinion of people who are working from home for the first time saying that they love it and are more productive and will want to continue WFH either partly or fully once things go back to "normal".

I think we could see some very long term changes to work and travel patterns after this.

That's what I've been noticing among my colleagues as well. Granted, we were ready for WFH anyway, since the company insisted that everyone uses a laptop, has VPN and Zoom access even before the crisis, but still, a lot of people will probably work from home at least partially once this is over, myself included.

GT89 · 05-05-2020 10:57pm

Tbh the thing that would put off more than catching the disease on public transport would be if half empty buses were going past "full" in order to allow for social distancing. It may put me off using the bus and walk further from my house to use the Luas instead. As I can't see social distancing being enforced as heavily on the Luas.

hmmm · 06-05-2020 9:29am

Not at busy times while there's still active community transmission of the virus. I expect workwise also a lot more WFH is the future.

At quiet times where I won't have someone breathing or coughing on me, yes.

Mr.Frame · 07-05-2020 2:02pm

Leo Varadkar did mention on the Late Late that they "may" in future ask that all people cover their faces when going on public transport or going indoors.

I would definitely be in favour of this.

Most euro countries are insisting on this, yet here in Ireland we are still thinking about it.

I think its time the gov tells us all to wear masks/face coverings.

ixoy · 07-05-2020 2:05pm

As I don't drive, I'll still be at the mercy of public transport. It'll then depend on whether we're allowed WFH or not - we certainly weren't before all of this but I'm hoping attitudes will have changed.

thenightman · 08-05-2020 5:57pm

No other option at the moment, plus I pay €1400 a year for my Leap card. I think I'll start automatic lessons and get my license though to be covered in the future, get an electric, small city car type when I pass.

WomanSkirtFan8 · 08-05-2020 7:20pm

monument wrote: »

As per the thread title: Will you use public transport as much after the lockdown?

absolutely. i love travelling on the bus or train.

GT89 · 09-05-2020 1:15am

thenightman wrote: »

No other option at the moment, plus I pay €1400 a year for my Leap card. I think I'll start automatic lessons and get my license though to be covered in the future, get an electric, small city car type when I pass.

Would you consider a motorbike?

RandomViewer · 09-05-2020 1:24am

Haven't been on a bus since the 90 s ,dirty then,even dirtier now.

Cookie_Monster · 09-05-2020 1:32am

ixoy wrote: »

we're allowed WFH or not -.

WFH

Cookie_Monster · 09-05-2020 8:22am

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

WFH

7 hours later it clicked...

Del.Monte · 09-05-2020 8:36am

RandomViewer wrote: »

Haven't been on a bus since the 90 s ,dirty then,even dirtier now.

Comment obviously based on recent experience so?

bk · 09-05-2020 10:18am

RandomViewer wrote: »

Haven't been on a bus since the 90 s ,dirty then,even dirtier now.

No comparison at all with the 90's. I remember what the buses were like in the 90's. Today they are bright, modern, no graffiti or vandalism and very clean. You would be pleasantly surprised what they are like today.

I've lots of complaints about how public transport is operated in Ireland, but this is definitely not one of them. They have worked hard to improve the quality, reliability and consumer friendliness of buses over the last 15 years and done a great job of it.

09-05-2020 10:23am

I’ll never use it again. I didn’t use it a massive amount to start with anyway.

thenightman · 13-05-2020 8:51pm

GT89 wrote: »

Would you consider a motorbike?

I had an uncle who was badly injured in a motorbike crash (he had to learn how to walk & talk again and has massive memory and cognitive problems) so I don't think I'd put my family through the worry in all honesty.

GT89 · 13-05-2020 9:08pm

thenightman wrote: »

I had an uncle who was badly injured in a motorbike crash (he had to learn how to walk & talk again and has massive memory and cognitive problems) so I don't think I'd put my family through the worry in all honesty.

Well that's a very understandable reason not to use one

Lord Glentoran · 16-05-2020 11:03am

bk wrote: »

No comparison at all with the 90's. I remember what the buses were like in the 90's. Today they are bright, modern, no graffiti or vandalism and very clean. You would be pleasantly surprised what they are like today.

I've lots of complaints about how public transport is operated in Ireland, but this is definitely not one of them. They have worked hard to improve the quality, reliability and consumer friendliness of buses over the last 15 years and done a great job of it.

Pity normal traffic post lockdown will be still borked. As an aside, last time I travelled on an Expressway bus, in early March, from Letterkenny to Sligo, the bus broke down in Donegal Town. No explanation given for the next three quarters of an hour, and we were decanted into a musty smelling yoke to complete the journey. I finally understood why nearly all buses from County Donegal to Sligo have an hour at Sligo to make the connection to the train to Dublin.

Kermit.de.frog · 16-05-2020 2:11pm

I'll definitely use the car more considering buses are so limited in capacity now.

Going to be nightmarish if you rely on a bus!

Most simply won't be able to get on.

I'd go as far as to say buses are not usable for the vast majority with the limitations.

bocaman · 16-05-2020 2:15pm

Yes. I don't really have an option

RobbingBandit · 16-05-2020 2:20pm

I'm hoping the social distancing is 100% enforcement from Monday onwards Dublin Bus have seen multiple cases where certain routes people sit where ever they like please set out inspectors for these services and throw the fcukers off that ignore the marked seats.

Kermit.de.frog · 16-05-2020 2:25pm

The way things are most people won't be able to get a bus.

After the first couple of stops on any route the driver would be breaking distancing rules by letting people on.

16-05-2020 2:26pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The way things are most people won't be able to get a bus.

After the first couple of stops on any route the driver would be breaking distancing rules by letting people on.

For once, living the furthest away on a route will be better.

Kermit.de.frog · 16-05-2020 2:29pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

For once, living the furthest away on a route will be better.

Yes. Where I live which is middleish there is not a hope of getting any bus that would not be breaking distancing rules.

Don't know what drivers and the passengers looking to get on are going to do.

_Kaiser_ · 17-05-2020 9:07am

It's not practical because through no one's fault, buses and trains are not designed for these restrictions and enforcement will be a massive problem considering the problems on some routes as is.

What will happen is car traffic will be ridiculous as people are asked to go back to work but don't feel safe or just not able to get on a bus/train/luas.

GT89 · 17-05-2020 9:19am

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

It's not practical because through no one's fault, buses and trains are not designed for these restrictions and enforcement will be a massive problem considering the problems on some routes as is.

What will happen is car traffic will be ridiculous as people are asked to go back to work but don't feel safe or just not able to get on a bus/train/luas.

A lot of people don't have a choice. I can't there being any major issues on Monday but as the restrictions are eased further there will be problems maintaining social distancing. I don't there will be a return to sardine can like buses and trains at least until the schools go back but I can't see there being a situation wherby two meters distance is going to be maintained at all times it's simply not possible or enforceable.

Cookie_Monster · 26-05-2020 10:08am

Going to be a real issue for people living at the end of routes getting home. As difficult as it may be to get in to town in the morning from say Loughlinstown or Bray there is a tiny chance of getting a bus back out in the evening as they'll fill up with people only going as far as booterstown or foxrock and you'll be waiting hours.

It's always been bad for that, particularly something limited like a 7b but it'll be so much worse now I think.

ninebeanrows · 26-05-2020 10:11am

I think its doable until September but once schools, universities restart it's going to be impossible. In a sense a second wave looks inevitable in October

Cookie_Monster · 26-05-2020 10:15am

Sleety_Rain wrote: »

I think its doable until September but once schools, universities restart it's going to be impossible. In a sense a second wave looks inevitable in October

there's no reason not to think, with a closed border and proper isolation controls, that the virus can be eliminated by then. Whether not that can actually be achieved in Ireland is another question entirely.

ronano · 26-05-2020 10:51am

It depends on what happens in the next 6 months, I will be using public transport less as it stands right now

stephenjmcd · 26-05-2020 11:42am

Got the 145 from bray this morning at 7am, over its social distance capacity leaving Bray, picked up in shankill and cherrywood but that was about it. Bypassed a few people at foxrock, they'll need to get a weekday service back on for the 8th of June.

Social distancing wont be possible on transport its pretty clear, whatever about buses, irish rail and luas it's just not going to happen

dfx- · 26-05-2020 1:38pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

that sort of restriction in the image just isn't possible when society is reopened. You also know they'll try to though and it'll be a frustrating mess before they see fit to change it.

GT89 · 26-05-2020 8:42pm

dfx- wrote: »

that sort of restriction in the image just isn't possible when society is reopened. You also know they'll try to though and it'll be a frustrating mess before they see fit to change it.

You and I know that but the government and health experts who have likely never been on a bus in their adult lives do not

storker · 02-06-2020 6:25pm

I'd say the lockdown experience has doubled my wife's determination learn to drive and get a car. Depressingly used to seeing full buses flying past her stop (often single-deckers at peak hours :rolleyes:), now she's still seeing buses flying past her stop due to the distancing measures. You just can't win...

GT89 · 02-06-2020 11:46pm

storker wrote: »

I'd say the lockdown experience has doubled my wife's determination learn to drive and get a car. Depressingly used to seeing full buses flying past her stop (often single-deckers at peak hours :rolleyes:), now she's still seeing buses flying past her stop due to the distancing measures. You just can't win...

I might have to start using the Luas if getting left behind becomes a common occurrence on buses. If buses are leaving people behind because they are "full" I suspect those who can will flock to the Luas and the Dart and all the measures will be pointless.

Posy · 03-06-2020 12:12am

storker wrote: »

Depressingly used to seeing full buses flying past her stop (often single-deckers at peak hours :rolleyes:), now she's still seeing buses flying past her stop due to the distancing measures. You just can't win...

I haven't had any buses pass off full yet (well used to it, though!) but there is a noticeable rise in the number of passengers, and I imagine next week will see this happen, especially if they keep Saturday hours/continue to have 25% capacity/don't increase the rush hour service.

GT89 wrote: »

I might have to start using the Luas if getting left behind becomes a common occurrence on buses. If buses are leaving people behind because they are "full" I suspect those who can will flock to the Luas and the Dart and all the measures will be pointless.

I'll have to walk further out of my way down to the DART station if I can't get a bus, so I can definitely imagine this will happen!

GT89 · 03-06-2020 1:19am

Posy wrote: »

I haven't had any buses pass off full yet (well used to it, though!) but there is a noticeable rise in the number of passengers, and I imagine next week will see this happen, especially if they keep Saturday hours/continue to have 25% capacity/don't increase the rush hour service.

Full M-F service will resume next week from what I believe which will be some relief

murphyebass · 03-06-2020 9:05am

dfx- wrote: »

that sort of restriction in the image just isn't possible when society is reopened. You also know they'll try to though and it'll be a frustrating mess before they see fit to change it.

Bull****. This is the way of the future. People need to cop on and understand that the world will not be able to restart exactly how it left off.

Personally I won’t be going near a bus unless it’s hammering it down with rain maybe. Even then I might just work from home.

I’ll cycle where possible too.

So a mix of cycle, wfh and the occasional bus journey hopefully with the restrictions in place as per that picture with seats out of bounds.

ixoy · 03-06-2020 11:13am

murphyebass wrote: »

So a mix of cycle, wfh and the occasional bus journey hopefully with the restrictions in place as per that picture with seats out of bounds.

You understand that a lot of people won't have all of these options right? So yes, I can't see it being possible.

Rodney Bathgate · 03-06-2020 11:17am

I heard on radio news a few days back that a bus with previous capacity of 70 (including standing) would now have capacity of 14.

DART presumably similar and we know it takes years for new trains to go into service from being ordered.

So people may want to use public transport as
much as before, but the capacity will not be there for the 42% from the poll.

Rodney Bathgate · 03-06-2020 11:20am

I have an annual DART tax saver ticket, have had one the last 12 years or more. Won’t be buying another one.

murphyebass · 03-06-2020 11:52am

ixoy wrote: »

You understand that a lot of people won't have all of these options right? So yes, I can't see it being possible.

More buses will need to be put on with proper restrictions on board until a vaccine is sorted out. No point otherwise. We’ll have a 2nd wave of it in no time if we don’t stay apart.

ka2 · 03-06-2020 11:52am

I've been going back into work for two days a week recently so have seen this myself. A Bus Eireann VWD which would normally have a seating capacity of 75 has been restricted to 19.

GT89 · 03-06-2020 12:12pm

Rodney Bathgate wrote: »

I heard on radio news a few days back that a bus with previous capacity of 70 (including standing) would now have capacity of 14.

DART presumably similar and we know it takes years for new trains to go into service from being ordered.

So people may want to use public transport as
much as before, but the capacity will not be there for the 42% from the poll.

In reality the DART and Luas will have the same capacity as before the lockdown unless they start employing people to prevent access to stations which I doubt. Buses will likely be the only mode to lose capacity severly as it will be left up a bus driver if they want to skip stops.

ixoy · 03-06-2020 12:13pm

murphyebass wrote: »

More buses will need to be put on with proper restrictions on board until a vaccine is sorted out. No point otherwise. We’ll have a 2nd wave of it in no time if we don’t stay apart.

But there aren't more buses to put on is my understanding. And there certainly aren't more trains.
So if you can't increase the number of vehicles, but are told you can't increase capacity then either capacity has to budge or people will not be able to get where they need to go.

Are other countries restricting public transport so severely? I've seen mention of masks elsewhere but not a 75% capacity cut.

Will you use public transport as much after the lockdown?

If you used public transport before the lockdown, after it, which will you do more? 43 votes

Comments