Now ye're talking - to a bus driver

tom1ie wrote: »

What’s your opinion on bus connects, particularly the radial and orbital routes that (probably won’t) be built? Also were bus drivers consulted by the nta on any of the bus connects plans?

BusConnects,in my opinion,represents one of the few (perhaps only) comprehensive reviews,and subsequent reports on Dublins Bus Services.


It is arguable,that neither the Government,Dept of Transport,Dept of the Environment,or the NTA,had any real comprehension of what the BusConnects commission might result in,and as a result have been roundly flabbergasted,at both the contents of Walker's report,and the hue & cry brought to bear upon it from the moment of it's release.



It has largely escaped public notice,that Jarrett Walker's report was compiled with the State's plans for Dublin 2040 very much to the fore.
Predictive estimates will always vary,but figures of up to an extra 1,000,000 people falling within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA),which if current personal transportation trends are followed,will result in a totally unsustainable travel patterns for both the new and existing population.


Irish Public Administration has never been overly burdened with forward thinkers,and those we have had,tended to be sought out and banished before they managed to upset the status-quo applecart.


As a consequence,we can already see how some significant distance has rapidly been placed between BusConnect's creator,his team and the report's Commissioner,the NTA.


So your "probably won't be built" comment is probably correct,given that JW's own team were largely left unsupported in the initial (and very important) revelation process,which resulted in some rather slickly managed counter campaigns being mounted against this sort of thing.


Walker's team did indeed engage in consultation with the "stakeholders" in Dublins Bus Service provision,which included Operators,Local Authorities,State Agencies and Trades Union representatives.
In addition Busdrivers,as individuals,if they felt motivated,had full access to the Public Consultation Process (One of the largest such consultation processes in the State's history,and,as far as I'm aware,the first such process directly focused upon the Public Bus Service).


Possibly had we got a DUBLIN Transport Authority,as was originally enivisaged back in the late 1980's,then a tighter focused approach might have had better results,but that's as may be,because we have what we have and thus,can only hope that somebody can appreciate the Bus Service Provision chaos which faces our Capital City,if we continue on our comfortably familiar way.

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Do you like the job or just see it as something that pays the bills?

Good question, I would suggest that it's a job you must like,but if one can manage that,then it can also pay the bills,without sending you crazy.


At the end of the day,it's a JOB,just like any other,but with some quite challenging aspects not found in other areas.


It's not to everybody's liking,and those who find they're not liking it,really should consider what their options are,for their own sake.


Life really is far too short to spend campaigning against issues which don't personally suit,when the same issues cause no difficulties at all,for many others ?

Wheety wrote: »

What do you think of people who don't say thanks?

It does'nt really bother me.


I deal with hundreds of people per shift,some require a personal touch,most simply wish to get transported safely and as rapidly as possible to their destination.


However,it is fair to suggest that in general Irish busdrivers are interacted with to a greater degree than Busdrivers in other large Cities,who may operate far more automated fare collection and boarding systems.