Dublin Bus - Flagging down

BobMc · 12-07-2019 1:26pm #1

Whats the story with busses stopping at bus stops. Why do you need to flag them down ??

Captain Chaos · 12-07-2019 1:30pm

BobMc wrote: »

Whats the story with busses stopping at bus stops. Why do you need to flag them down ??

Because a bus will not stop if no one wants to use the stop. There is not always someone leaving the bus at that stop and there may be multiple routes using that stop. Also people wait for people at stop while not intending to use the bus.

Multiple reasons.

Birneybau · 12-07-2019 1:32pm

Some buses go here, others go there. Jesus wept.

VG31 · 12-07-2019 1:34pm

Having to put out your hand for buses seems to be a uniquely Irish/British thing. At least, I've never been anywhere else you have to do it normally.

Although there may be good reasons for this practice, they seem to manage just fine without it in other much bigger cities than Dublin. In Moscow they don't even have stop buttons on the buses, the buses just stop automatically at every stop.

weldoninhio · 12-07-2019 1:36pm

BobMc wrote: »

Whats the story with busses stopping at bus stops. Why do you need to flag them down ??

Because to Dublin Bus drivers, passengers are a huge inconvenience.

Jimmy McGill · 12-07-2019 1:38pm

weldoninhio wrote: »

Because to Dublin Bus drivers, passengers are a huge inconvenience.

Bus Éireann drivers are 10 times worse in my experience. Most of them are ignorant pigs.

branie2 · 12-07-2019 1:38pm

Because people want to get on the bus

odyssey06 · 12-07-2019 1:40pm

Not just an Irish thing.

In France (Nice), you'll be left at stop if you don't put your hand out. There could be half a dozen routes using same stop.

r93kaey5p2izun · 12-07-2019 1:41pm

Why would you not have to flag it down?? The alternative of it stopping at every stop unnecessarily would be a nightmare.

LorelaiG · 12-07-2019 1:41pm

A bus stopping at every stop if it has no need to makes absolutely no sense, it increases running time.

kneemos · 12-07-2019 1:42pm

Birneybau wrote: »

Some buses go here, others go there. Jesus wept.

After that sending off,I bet he did.

punisher5112 · 12-07-2019 1:44pm

Simple get your eyes off the phone, have a bit of cop on and let the bus driver know in good time you actually intend on getting that bus....

It's actually a very good way as it gives the driver time to read the road, time to look out for cyclists etc.

BobMc · 12-07-2019 1:50pm

Agreed, this particular stop its three buses routes, Missus didnt realise about the wave, realised a little late
and flagged driver, while driver did stop, he then proceeded to verbally abuse her at the top of his voice

No need just wondering is it a normal routine, maybe they presume all passengers are local and are aware ?

odyssey06 · 12-07-2019 1:51pm

BobMc wrote: »

Agreed, this particular stop its three buses routes, Missus didnt realise about the wave, realised a little late
and flagged driver, while driver did stop, he then proceeded to verbally abuse her at the top of his voice
No need just wondering is it a normal routine, maybe they presume all passengers are local and are aware ?

It is normal routine, and they presume that but they should have the cop on to realise that there are a lot of visitors about who may not be familiar with the routine. No call for verbal abuse.

Dravokivich · 12-07-2019 1:53pm

Complain to the operator. There's no need for a driver like that.

ILoveYourVibes · 12-07-2019 1:53pm

BobMc wrote: »

Whats the story with busses stopping at bus stops. Why do you need to flag them down ??

Is this a serious question?

You could be waiting for any number of buses that are on that route. How is the driver supposed to know?

D3V!L · 12-07-2019 1:55pm

I love watching the surprise on the faces of people that realized they've missed their bus because they were too engrossed in their phone

ILoveYourVibes · 12-07-2019 1:56pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I love watching the surprise on the faces of people that realized they've missed their bus because they were too engrossed in their phone

That would be me.

BobMc · 12-07-2019 1:56pm

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Is this a serious question?

You could be waiting for any number of buses that are on that route. How is the driver supposed to know?

Sure is, agreed, multiple busses, but not everyone is going to be aware of the procedures, lesson learned, main query was it normal to then proceed and lecture and verbally abuse one who isnt up on the way it goes

GBX · 12-07-2019 1:57pm

Drivers hate people.

branie2 · 12-07-2019 1:58pm

Or stressed out by the job

El_Bee · 12-07-2019 1:59pm

Is this a bash bus driver thread? Twice I've had to stand half in the doors of a bus to stop a driver leaving when there's clearly an elderly person trying to get to the bus, I've seen it happen so many times, can they really not wait 10 seconds?

ILoveYourVibes · 12-07-2019 2:00pm

GBX wrote: »

Drivers hate people.

They are nice to me!

branie2 · 12-07-2019 2:01pm

And me as well when I was in Dublin for a few hours

GBX · 12-07-2019 2:01pm

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

They are nice to me!

Oh .. I picked them up wrong so. Carry on

BobMc · 12-07-2019 2:04pm

Nope not meant to anyway bash drivers, we use this route few times a year to get bus from near hueston to OLH crumlin,

I've never experienced any hassle, a bit abrupt but I understand being under pressure and stressed,

just a vent at how a simple mistake ended up being a verbal slinging towards someone with a child
unware of the rules, dont think its too much to ask for simple civility

Strazdas · 12-07-2019 2:05pm

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Because a bus will not stop if no one wants to use the stop. There is not always someone leaving the bus at that stop and there may be multiple routes using that stop. Also people wait for people at stop while not intending to use the bus.

Multiple reasons.

Yes, the bus driver cannot assume that because you are standing beside the bus stop, that you are waiting for that particular bus. Their only way of knowing is if you put your hand out.

kneemos · 12-07-2019 2:06pm

El_Bee wrote: »

Is this a bash bus driver thread? Twice I've had to stand half in the doors of a bus to stop a driver leaving when there's clearly an elderly person trying to get to the bus, I've seen it happen so many times, can they really not wait 10 seconds?

Places to go. People to see.

r93kaey5p2izun · 12-07-2019 2:06pm

BobMc wrote: »

Sure is, agreed, multiple busses, but not everyone is going to be aware of the procedures, lesson learned, main query was it normal to then proceed and lecture and verbally abuse one who isnt up on the way it goes

If that was your main query then why didn't you include it in your opening post?

2nd Row Donkey · 12-07-2019 2:06pm

BobMc wrote:

Whats the story with busses stopping at bus stops. Why do you need to flag them down ??

The waving motion is affectionately known as 'bus ****' and the person perform the flagging motion is known as a bus wanker.

Next time you are at a bus stop and a fellow passenger flags down a bus, be sure to say 'thank you bus wanker'.

artanevilla · 12-07-2019 2:09pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

The waving motion is affectionately known as 'bus ****' and the person perform the flagging motion is known as a bus wanker.

Next time you are at a bus stop and a fellow passenger flags down a bus, be sure to say 'thank you bus wanker'.

I don't wave, I use the traditional index finger out. It's called bus fingering.

r93kaey5p2izun · 12-07-2019 2:09pm

I take around 35 buses a week. Unpleasant DB drivers are an exception I have encountered only twice. I would make a complaint if it really happened as the OP states, no need for that reaction from the driver and it is certainly not normal.

Badly Drunk Boy · 12-07-2019 2:14pm

Is there any reason the driver wouldn't stop if he had been flagged down? I was in Dublin two weeks ago, going to a gig so beforehand, I was sauntering down Thomas Street towards the venue when I noticed a male and a female at the bus-stop I was approaching (they were not together). Then I saw both of them step forward, flag a bus that was approaching behind me, and the bus just hurtles on by.

They looked at each other, confused. It was a lovely sunny evening, traffic was light, they were the only people at the stop, the buss wasn't full, and they seemed to have given the driver enough time. The lad had even stepped out onto the road.

Maybe the driver couldn't keep his eyes off his phone...

odyssey06 · 12-07-2019 2:18pm

My stop in on a tree lined avenue, on a dark winter's night, I had a bus go by me despite hand out.

I got one of these arm bands for free off the Road Safety website and no issues since.
https://www.rsaorders.ie/orders-online/

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 12-07-2019 2:19pm

I love nothing more than coming up to a bus stop, nobody leaving the bus and people standing there staring like sheep at their phones as I sail by with a smile on my face knowing they fuc/ked up.

Great job lads

runawaybishop · 12-07-2019 2:25pm

12-07-2019 2:29pm

Badly Drunk Boy wrote: »

Is there any reason the driver wouldn't stop if he had been flagged down? I was in Dublin two weeks ago, going to a gig so beforehand, I was sauntering down Thomas Street towards the venue when I noticed a male and a female at the bus-stop I was approaching (they were not together). Then I saw both of them step forward, flag a bus that was approaching behind me, and the bus just hurtles on by.

They looked at each other, confused. It was a lovely sunny evening, traffic was light, they were the only people at the stop, the buss wasn't full, and they seemed to have given the driver enough time. The lad had even stepped out onto the road.

Maybe the driver couldn't keep his eyes off his phone...

happens all the time.

i presume they are under orders from central to speed up along a route at times or something, but id say once or twice a month of daily use id see a half full bus ignore a waving passenger and fly by

punisher5112 · 12-07-2019 2:32pm

El_Bee wrote: »

Is this a bash bus driver thread? Twice I've had to stand half in the doors of a bus to stop a driver leaving when there's clearly an elderly person trying to get to the bus, I've seen it happen so many times, can they really not wait 10 seconds?

How do you know they seen them as many aren't at the stop expect the bus to wait....

The bus runs for those who wait not those that run.....

Stephen15 · 12-07-2019 2:37pm

Sure in some places in England you have put your hand out for a train as many of the smaller stations are request stops in rural areas.

Gregor Samsa · 12-07-2019 2:55pm

VG31 wrote: »

Having to put out your hand for buses seems to be a uniquely Irish/British thing. At least, I've never been anywhere else you have to do it normally.

Saw plenty of people in Biarritz doing it just last week.

At a stop that serves 3 or 4 routes, would you expect every bus to just stop in the hope that it's the one that the lone person standing at it wants?

ELM327 · 12-07-2019 3:07pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I love nothing more than coming up to a bus stop, nobody leaving the bus and people standing there staring like sheep at their phones as I sail by with a smile on my face knowing they fuc/ked up.

Great job lads

You sound just like a bus driver

Sitting there all happy warm and toasty inside your nice bus creating a right pickle for passengers that you have inconvenienced. Thank chr1st I don't need the peasant wagon anymore!!

TheIrishGrover · 12-07-2019 3:11pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

Not just an Irish thing.

In France (Nice), you'll be left at stop if you don't put your hand out. There could be half a dozen routes using same stop.

This: A stop near me is a stop for 39, 39A (Different route), 76, 220 and others. So the LAST thing you want is the bus to stop at every single stop when only 2 or 3 stops are actually required for letting people on or off. It is NOT "An Irish Thing" or some Dublin Bus mismanagement/"Irishness". It makes perfect sense.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 12-07-2019 3:30pm

ELM327 wrote: »

You sound just like a bus driver

Sitting there all happy warm and toasty inside your nice bus creating a right pickle for passengers that you have inconvenienced. Thank chr1st I don't need the peasant wagon anymore!!

Well you're right about that. I am a bus driver - not a mind reader !

Put your hand out in advance if you want the bus to stop !

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-07-2019 4:03pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Well you're right about that. I am a bus driver - not a mind reader !

Put your hand out in advance if you want the bus to stop !

But you said you do know they want the bus to stop and enjoy leaving them stuck there.

Hard to see how you get any pleasure out of it if you don't have a fair idea of what's going on in their mind?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 12-07-2019 4:13pm

Maleah Immense Walker wrote: »

But you said you do know they want the bus to stop and enjoy leaving them stuck there.

Hard to see how you get any pleasure out of it if you don't have a fair idea of what's going on in their mind?

So it's my fault people at the bus stop are too busy staring into their phones to put the hand out ?

I love this, it's never the person's fault and the bus driver is always a prick

The rule is put your hand out or press Bell for bus to stop. It's being like that since the dawn of time. Yet people are the victims and it's never their fault

I think it's great when it happens because j think people are idiots in general and I'm fed up with this PC culture we have going on. I would be happy to move planet if I could

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-07-2019 4:16pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

So it's my fault people at the bus stop are too busy staring into their phones to put the hand out ?

I love this, it's never the person's fault and the bus driver is always a prick

Not even remotely what I said. I'm just saying "I'm not a mind reader" isn't a good defence to someone criticising your leaving people at a stop when you in fact do know what's in their mind. You enjoy leaving them there because you get annoyed they're on the phone, fine, be like that, just own it.

odyssey06 · 12-07-2019 4:17pm

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

So it's my fault people at the bus stop are too busy staring into their phones to put the hand out ?
I love this, it's never the person's fault and the bus driver is always a prick
The rule is put your hand out or press Bell for bus to stop. It's being like that since the dawn of time. Yet people are the victims and it's never their fault
I think it's great when it happens because j think people are idiots in general and I'm fed up with this PC culture we have going on. I would be happy to move planet if I could

If you take pleasure in it, then yes you are as you described.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-07-2019 4:17pm

Oh my god it's PC society's fault.

K bye.

Always Tired · 12-07-2019 4:19pm

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Is this a serious question?

You could be waiting for any number of buses that are on that route. How is the driver supposed to know?

Why would it not be serious? As has been noted, in many other countries the bus stops at every stop on the route.

I know it may seem to make less sense to those used to the system, but if you're not local you wouldn't know and could be left stranded as there are no signs telling you to flag down a bus, and for people in other countries they would be as incredulous to hear that this is necessary as you are to hear that people don't know this is necessary. To someone not Irish flagging down is done for taxis, not for any type of public transport. It would seem almost as ridiculous as having to flag down a train.And buseireann buses usually stop at every stop even if they are used by different routes.

In this country we are so used to being treated like crap for any service we pay for. The onus shouldnt be on a passenger to get a bus to stop, the driver should have a duty to stop and make sure that anyone waiting at the stop gets a chance to board if necessary. Or at least put up signs saying that you need to get up and do a dance to get the bus to stop.

Victor · 12-07-2019 4:20pm

El_Bee wrote: »

Is this a bash bus driver thread? Twice I've had to stand half in the doors of a bus to stop a driver leaving when there's clearly an elderly person trying to get to the bus, I've seen it happen so many times, can they really not wait 10 seconds?

Will it only be 10 seconds? Multiply that 10 seconds by everyone else on the bus.

Is that person running on the road, causing a safety issue?

miamee · 12-07-2019 4:22pm

Do you really expect the bus driver to stop at every stop and ask the people standing there on their phones if they were hoping to catch that bus?

Dublin Bus - Flagging down

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