BUSRAGE Discussions: Forum: Off-Topic

BUSRAGE Discussions: Forum: Off-Topic - Recent Posts http://busrage.com/forum/ BUSRAGE Discussions: Forum: Off-Topic - Recent Posts en Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:55:53 +0000 Al on "Former transport minister Séamus Brennan dies" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5337#post-5363 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:18:41 +0000 Al 5363@http://busrage.com/forum/ <blockquote>Wow. That was sudden. Quite sad as well. Mr. Brennan's death after an illness, at a relatively young age, reminds me of the recent death of George Warrington, who ran the US transport concerns Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Seems like being too deep into the politics kills you at an early age, eh? (Meanwhile, Warrington's successor at Amtrak, one David Gunn, who had more of a business approach than a political and worked at a lot more railway/transport agencies including New York's MTA and Philadelphia's SEPTA, is still going strong. Gotta be the politics.)</blockquote> admin on "Former transport minister Séamus Brennan dies" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5337#post-5361 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:16:41 +0000 admin 5361@http://busrage.com/forum/ Former transport minister, and architect of the Dublin Bus "franchising" plans, <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0709/breaking14.htm">'Séamus Brennan has died, aged 60</a>. Our sympathies are with his family. paddy.brophy on "Lack of Bus Routes in Dalkey." http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5324#post-5355 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:25:13 +0000 paddy.brophy 5355@http://busrage.com/forum/ If I were working for the department of Dublin Bus that deals with routes and timetables, I would introduce the following 3 services from the area in question: First route: Dalkey Station, Killiney Towers, Killiney Shopping Centre, Ballybrack, Cherrywood, M50 (Non-stop), Carrickmines, Stepaside, Sandyford, Dundrum, Terenure, Rathfarnham, Hazelhatch Station, Liffey Valley and Lucan. This would be half hourly on peak and hourly off peak during the week. It would be hourly throughout the weekend. Second route: Dalkey Station, Killiney Towers, Killiney Shopping Centre, Johnstown Road, Cabinteely, Cornelscourt, Foxrock, Stillorgan, UCD, Donnybrook, Ranelagh, Georges Street, Dame Street, O'Connell Street and Parnell Square. This would be half hourly on peak and hourly off peak Monday to Saturday. It would be hourly on a Sunday. Third route: Dalkey Station, Killiney Towers, Glenageary Shopping Center, Deansgrange, Foxrock, Sandyford Industrial Estate (for the Luas Green Line), M50 (Non-stop), Tallaght Square (for the Luas Red Line), Clondalkin Train Station, Liffey Valley, M50 (Non-stop) and Blanchardstown. It would have the same frequency as the Second route. These routes would run until 11:30 in the evening. I would also have an alternate version of the aforemetioned routes covering more specific parts of the Killiney, Dalkey and Sandycove areas with similar frequency. Therefore, Dalkey would become an additional interchange by the DART line. This would mean a better balance of services between Sydney Parade, Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey and Bray. It may also have a knock on effect which would increase the amount of trains serving Dalkey as more people would be getting on and off at Dalkey to and from various bus services. The above three routes are merely suggestions and certain stretches might not reflect the demand of tranportation needs. It would however connect Dalkey with a lot of business districts thereby opening the door to a huge amount of new employement options and opportunities. The 59 would still exist in its current frequency. I would have the frequency of the 8 bus increased to hourly during the week and 90 minutely at the weekends making sure that the last bus left Dalkey at 11:30 in the evening. I would also suggest having the 7D bus running at a similar clockface and have it bypass Monkstown Farm to knock time off the journey length. A message in another topic on this website suggested having every three or four 46A buses being sent to Dalkey. With this, the supply might end up exceeding demand. However, on its Nitelink route (the 46N), there is on average 5 or 6 people still on the bus passed Dun Laoghaire. Surely, if this is the level of demand at night, the demand during the day would be many times higher. On occassion, this handy number has dropped me at the bottom of my road leaving me with a 2 minute walk as opposed to a 15 minute walk. Usually, it only stops at the Post Office before going back along the same it came from. The Post Office is a considerable distance from my house. The advantage that the bus has over the DART is that it can drop people closer to where they want to go. Richard2 on "Lack of Bus Routes in Dalkey." http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5324#post-5347 Thu, 29 May 2008 18:31:42 +0000 Richard2 5347@http://busrage.com/forum/ There was a no.8 run again for a year or 2 after a campaign by a local FG politician called Eugene Regan, but DB made a dog's breakfast of it, running it at poor frequency and by a different route from its old one. I find it intensely frustrating visiting 2 close friends of mine in Sandycove and Glenageary, and I am sure there are many others who feel the same. Shame on DB for their shoddy treatment of this area. Al on "Lack of Bus Routes in Dalkey." http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5324#post-5338 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:21:35 +0000 Al 5338@http://busrage.com/forum/ The 8 was cancelled a number of years ago; the replacement route, 7D, originally ran over the 8's entire route. The 59 (and back then the 59A, when it ran) were the "local" routes, and today as then the intent was to have strictly local bus service with direct operations to Dublin city centre restricted to peak hours; or passengers bound for Dublin should ride the DART. Folly, IMHO. (After all, did they restrict bus service via Sandycove and Glenageary just because they have DART stations, too?) paddy.brophy on "Lack of Bus Routes in Dalkey." http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5324#post-5330 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:15:38 +0000 paddy.brophy 5330@http://busrage.com/forum/ I know Joe.However, the only areas that people from Dalkey have access to is town(very important) and Mackintosh Park which is 10-15 minutes walk from the Dual Carriageway.I am aware that the people from Mackintosh Park need a bus to Dun Laoghaire.However, that is beside the point.The combined population of the Dalkey,Killiney and Sandycove areas is roughly 22000.The point I am making is that there should be at least one regular bus service covering the aformentioned area which would take people to the likes of Cabinteely, UCD and Sandyford Industrial Estate.While the emphasis on transport is getting people into the heart of Dublin,there are still a lot of people from the area in question who travel north west.I feel very lucky to live near such a great system like the DART but a bus service is needed to cover the upper road as well as it brings people to other areas in town that are nowhere near the DART.The 7D is a very poor bus service with only two morning journeys at irregular times and one evening return and one service on a Saturday. [posted by: Patrick Brophy] Anonymous on "Lack of Bus Routes in Dalkey." http://busrage.com/forum/topic/5324#post-5325 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:40:47 +0000 Anonymous 5325@http://busrage.com/forum/ Take the DART that most allot of people in Dublin don't have access to! [posted by: Joe] Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4947 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:06:06 +0000 Anonymous 4947@http://busrage.com/forum/ And just so you know,I'm not anti Union,Just anti unions like Siptu who have become so big they lose the ability/will to look after their individual members needs and only get involved when an issue affects the majority.Siptu and the NBRU's inability to accurately represent their members wishes during some issues in my time at Dublin bus led to the formation of the Independent workers union.This is a union for whom I have the greatest respect as they represented each and everyone of their members on all issues affecting them.They did it so well the Dublin bus disciplined and even suspended drivers who joined it,yet they insist of you joing one of the other 2.It's this,IMO,that highlights just how ineffective and out of touch largescale unions are [posted by: Graham] Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4946 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 08:43:36 +0000 Anonymous 4946@http://busrage.com/forum/ Union member or not she would've have had her problem solved if she went down other avenues.Nobody would stand by while someone got paid a euro an hour.All I'm saying is that IMO unions aren't the be all and end all solution when difficulties arise.Either way its all elementary as I don't have a problem with my employer. [posted by: Graham] Al on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4944 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 14:06:40 +0000 Al 4944@http://busrage.com/forum/ <blockquote><hr>I do recall there recently being national uproar over ONE Irish ferries employee being explioted<hr></blockquote>Yes, a union member. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions along with their member unions engaged in the protest. There's absolutely no precedent for what you think you'll be able to doyou'll fall through the cracks, and the only help you will be able to avail of is from those unions you villify so much. Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4943 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 12:45:16 +0000 Anonymous 4943@http://busrage.com/forum/ Employment laws being broken is not a big issue.Have a word with yourself.TD's have to follow up the concerns of their constituants and journos would dive on it.I do recall there recently being national uproar over ONE Irish ferries employee being explioted.Being blacklisted for standing up for my rights would be another great story for journos.I'm sick of the Irish attitude that nothing can be done with out a good ol union.20 years ago maybe. [posted by: graham] Al on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4939 Sat, 30 Sep 2006 18:50:57 +0000 Al 4939@http://busrage.com/forum/ <blockquote><hr>As if a union would spend a small fortune representing one bloke in court. It wouldnt get that far<hr></blockquote>It's not supposed to "get that far" when it comes to union representation. The company is supposed to abide by the agreement(s) thereof. Where the company fails to abide, then that's going against the whole union.<blockquote><hr>I'd be straight to my local TD and let him earn his few bob, and give the odd journalist a bell. Where theres a will...<hr></blockquote>Yeah, and you'll be blacklisted by all the non-union bus companies. You'll still need a lawyer if you go that route, and that's no small piece of dough—no TD will agree to represent you unless it's a huge matter. Paul Hardy on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4932 Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:26:39 +0000 Paul Hardy 4932@http://busrage.com/forum/ Union officials are in the Rights Commissioner service and the Employment Appeals Tribunals all the time, probably too often. The number of cases that are farmed out to solicitors is very small. Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4931 Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:48:27 +0000 Anonymous 4931@http://busrage.com/forum/ As if a union would spend a small fortune representing one bloke in court.It wouldnt get that far.I'd be straight to my local TD and let him earn his few bob,and give the odd journalist a bell.Where theres a will... [posted by: Graham] Al on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4930 Thu, 14 Sep 2006 02:18:13 +0000 Al 4930@http://busrage.com/forum/ <blockquote><hr>I know my rights and entitlements and would not take it lying down if I was denied them<hr></blockquote>You must have deep pockets, to be able to afford all that legal representation. Others are not so well-monied. Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4928 Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:09:54 +0000 Anonymous 4928@http://busrage.com/forum/ It was on the help thread not this one.Its still there. [posted by: Graham] Paul Hardy on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4927 Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:22:47 +0000 Paul Hardy 4927@http://busrage.com/forum/ Anyone know why my posting on this thread was removed? Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4924 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 08:22:09 +0000 Anonymous 4924@http://busrage.com/forum/ Maybe the full scenario was not exposed to hopefulls and I do hope their situation is sorted to their benefit.Also I fully accept your point regarding my independence in a larger company.Its probably THE reason I became anti union whilst in DB.Union involvement would be a cross I'd reluctantly bear if I ever return to largescale transport companies.I had my fill on that one though so if Mortons is ever "swallowed",rather than having to strain to make my voice heard I'll probably wash my hands of it and drive a Taxi! I'd enjoy going against what their unions say! Nice to talk with somone with a brain in here for once,Now lets see what siptu make of their new memberships,hopefully better than their job in veoila [posted by: Graham] AlekSmart on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4923 Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:40:17 +0000 AlekSmart 4923@http://busrage.com/forum/ TIC indeed Graham,but in an era of ultra Correctness in every field,a little Tongue can get U in a Lotta Twouble. I agree absolutely about having a robust attitude to wat we do. For What its worth I believe the single greatest attribute a GOOD Busdriver can have is self-confidence. However one of the first casualties of the current ultra-PC environment is that very confidence and it is replaced by a reliance upon Company Policy which can sometimes be sadly lacking in "Robustness" when it comes to imposing order upon chaos. Now your ability to look after your own interests is laudable indeed and thoroughly desirable too,BUT...remove yourself from the surroundings of Mortons and place yourself in,for example....Stagecoach Ireland...a new entity with 5,000 Buses and 7,500 drivers and try to achieve the necessary level of attention from the HR department or indeed the IR department and you will soon find yourself marking time to an enormous degree whilst awaiting the return of the appropriate manager from Study/Paternity/Maternity/Sick/Special leave tec etc. As for accepting the legality of 12 hour days if already pre-approved at interview stage,well I imagine that a skilled interviewer will be "economic" with the actualitè....leaving the thrilled new-start wit the impression that 12 hr days may sometimes be required if the exiegiencies of service require.... As you say...the outcome will be interesting.....as of course will the 48hr week !!!! Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4922 Sun, 10 Sep 2006 17:04:04 +0000 Anonymous 4922@http://busrage.com/forum/ tongue in cheek,not really.They are foreign but they are employed under exactly the same terms as I am,terms which to my mind none of us find exploiting of us and it is that which prompted the Couldn't care less remark.Trouble ahead,I don't believe it to be looming as we all know our T&C's.I really don't see why I need structured representation from anybody as you can be sure I would make my voice heard if i was exploited.I'm sure if our non national drivers were feeling exploited they may well look to union representation as it would be far easier for them to have a union sort it but as i said I'd rather do it myself.That way i could be assured that people would be hearing exactly what I want them to hear,not what a union big wig wants heard.robust is a good word to describe me.I know my rights and entitlements and would not take it lying down if I was denied them. The internet is a precious resource for educating ones self on whether I have a legitmate reason to moan or not.I don't get paid a lot by I choose to drive for it,which is why I have little sympathy for drivers who accept 12 hour,no break rostering and then complain about it after signing up.That said i do question the legality of such an arrangement and would be interested in the outcome of this one. [posted by: Graham] AlekSmart on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4920 Sat, 09 Sep 2006 22:05:28 +0000 AlekSmart 4920@http://busrage.com/forum/ A most enlightening discussion. Whether or not Graham is a Norton or not is surely a moot point. As he points out he does not have to join a Trade Union if he does not wish too....unless,that is membership of such is a requirement of a contract of employment. I find Grahams terminology quite revealing in many ways especially his admission to "Knowing the Labour laws" and being able to "Fight My own Battles" These colourful terms,of themselves,appear to indicate quite a robust attitude towards life and its occurrences. I also see a reference on another thread to most of Mortons drivers being of Non-National extraction who could not care less about structured representation. I`m quite sure Graham`s use of the non-national card is somewhat tongue-in-cheek as if it`s not then in the words of the song..."There could Be Trouble ahead" One of the most self-damaging aspects of modern Irelands attitude to the new entrant migrant labour market is it`s taking for granted of the quiet compliance of foreign labour with working conditions which in the Public Transport arena can be downright demeaning while remaining within the grey area of legality. That being said,I certainly do not carry any can for SIPTU or indeed ANY of the major Transport related unions. However as Aircoach is proving,when a major multi-national assumes control then it`s own operational strategies are brought on board asap. I am quite sure that John O Sullivan would,like Paul Morton, not have had the organized Trade Union movement about the Aircoach estate,as Lord Brookeborough remarked about the Catholics in the old Northern Ireland,BUT the realpolitik of First Group demands structures be in place to facilitate ease of management. This reality is why when PD Senator Tom Morrissey writes about Bus Groups with 5,000 vehicles waiting to start business her in the Republic,he is sounding the death-knell for the Paul Morton size businesses within the Irish Public Transport market,just as much as the end of Dublin Bus. In fact I believe that Morton Circle-Line size operators will simply be discreetly bought up and subsumed into the OBC... One Big Company.....Which brings us neatly back to the beginnings of CIE in 1945....... Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4919 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:36:10 +0000 Anonymous 4919@http://busrage.com/forum/ Don't flatter yourself.I've come across far more cretinous people than your good self.When you feel like actually contributing to a debate in a constructive way why don't you pop back and express your views on wonderful siptu [posted by: Graham] a-555 on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4914 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:07:20 +0000 a-555 4914@http://busrage.com/forum/ hit a nerve.. your a brother of Paul so your looked after I am sure... Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4913 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 09:00:30 +0000 Anonymous 4913@http://busrage.com/forum/ Properly run companys who don't infringe labour laws have nothing to fear from union involvement.My attitude to 12 hour shifts is that I wouldnt drive that long without a break for any money,which is why I exercised my right not to apply to drive for Aircoach,just like the whingers who do work for them couldve done.Mortons is run by Paul,and if some of his drivers want to waste a fiver a week paying union membership for precisely zero benefits thats up to them,I won't and never will.I wasted enough of my money when I was forced to join in DB.I can negotiate for myself and I know the labour laws of this country.I can fight my own battles thanks very much.How can anyone defend siptu who took away from their members the one remaining avenue open to them when all else fails.They were only interested in getting luas drivers membership fees when they signed that deal,as is obvious to most intelligent people.Shouldn't you be in school... [posted by: Graham] a-555 on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4911 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 06:44:55 +0000 a-555 4911@http://busrage.com/forum/ Hi Graham (owner or Mortons) it is up to your employees to decide if they want a union your attitude towards 12 hour shifts tell us you have a lot to worry about... labour laws protect workers from employers like you and aircoach..stop dishing SIPTU remember you will have to deal with them soon.... Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4908 Thu, 07 Sep 2006 06:56:43 +0000 Anonymous 4908@http://busrage.com/forum/ Everything to do with siptu.They negotiated and signed the deal.Luas drivers had nothing to do with it and dont get a choice.People wanting to work on Luas HAVE to abide by the no strike agreement thanks to the wasters in siptu who are supposed to look after their members interests not that of their members employers. [posted by: Graham] Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4907 Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:30:30 +0000 Anonymous 4907@http://busrage.com/forum/ Nothing to do with Spitu my friend.. blame your newbie cowardly connex drivers! The whole luas system should be given to a new operater, start from scratch. [posted by: JC] Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4906 Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:47:55 +0000 Anonymous 4906@http://busrage.com/forum/ Nobody forces them to work for Aircoach.Surely they noticed their rosters before they signed up.Also,Siptu showed their true colours when they signed the "no strike" deal with Connex for the Luas so i wouldn't get hopes up that they are the knights in shining armour. [posted by: Graham] duffman5555 on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4903 Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:44:04 +0000 duffman5555 4903@http://busrage.com/forum/ about time 12 hour shifts no breaks... happy days... Anonymous on "S**t has hit the fan @ aircoach" http://busrage.com/forum/topic/4902#post-4902 Mon, 04 Sep 2006 17:50:57 +0000 Anonymous 4902@http://busrage.com/forum/ The boys from Liberty Hall (Siptu) have moved in @ Aircoach. Expect big changes!!!!!!!!! Comon the aircoach drivers this is your chance! [posted by: Jc]