BUSRAGE Discussions » Timetables and Routes
help!
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i need to know the fasted bus route to ballsbridge from heuston station. please tell me the bus numbers and where i can pick them up. many thanxPosted 1 year ago #
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There are no direct buses. Would advise riding either the 90 bus or Luas to O'Connell Street, and riding the number 4 or 7 to Ballsbridge.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I beg to differ.We at Mortons provide such a service.The CL1,CL2 and CL3 all go from Ballsbridge to Heuston and vice versa.pick up at the bus shelter on St.johns road and Stops outside the RDS and the American embassy. www.circlelinebus.ie
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
unless tou want to travel on SAT or SUN or BH Mon
because Mortons dont run any service then...
Cherry picking its called...Posted 1 year ago # -
No it's called business sense.Why run a service that wouldn't be commercially viable.It's ok for DB to do that with their state subvention but not a private company whose bottom line matters most
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
This illustrates the lack of viability of private bus service in general. We were predicting this very thing prior to the big "requirement" for "competition".
No it's called business sense. Why run a service that wouldn't be commercially viablePosted 1 year ago # -
Private buses on non profit earning routes would still need state subvention despite what the Government wants us to believe
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
Graham, While it is true that Mortons run services at peak hours, they are not the most reliable. As someone who tried for months to use the service, I eventually gave up because drivers would not stop at the marked bus stops along the north quays. That was over a year ago, and recently I spotted the same thing happen to another passenger, so personally, I would not advise anybody to rely on a Mortons Bus to get from Heuston to Ballsbridge.
I strongly disagree with your "business sense" remarks. Of course any bus company who only runs at peak hours will make profit, but what is great for profit is not always good for the passenger. I worked with a girl who lived in Lucan and would have to rush to be at the bus stop just after 6 because that was the last Mortons bus of the day.
[posted by: P]Posted 1 year ago # -
On your last point the last CL2 leaves at 18.30 so no rushing required. After that our customers have all ready been taken to their homes,therefore the service is no longer viable and does not run.If anyone could show Mr Morton that sufficent patronage exists for a service he doesn't already provide I'm sure he would provide it.That is how his CL2 and 1 came into being in the first place.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
You can strongly disagree but no business,in the bus industry or otherwise,will survive if it spends more money than it makes.Fact.If you were Paul Morton would you run a bus when there wasn't sufficient demand for it to make it commercially viable.Like it or not he's a successful business man,and a successful business man because he dosen't throw money away.He'd be out of business long ago if he ran buses with little or no people on them.incidently they don't run just at peak times.Both the CL1 and 2 run all day monday to friday while demand is there.With private compnies,There HAS to be a healthy balance between profitabilty and customer needs.Whether it suits some customers or not,ignore your bottom line and your out of business.Ignore your customer and the same applies,so balance must be found.You'd be suprised that to know that most of DB rpoutes are loss making but they get subvention to make up the difference,which is what private operators would need if they were to run the loss making routes instead of DB.As for not stopping,Mortons buses should stop at any stop,If it dosen't then ring Mortons and tell them.The same drivers drive the same service day in day out.If there is a problem with a particular service it can be addressed.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
The route in question is the CL1, and if you check, the last departure is at 6.10pm, not that havng a service finish 20 minutes later at 6.30 makes much of a difference to anybody working late.
You're absolutely right about how business models survive and make profit. But to suggest the Lucan corridor has no business after 6.30 is ridiculous. Stand on the quays any evening to see how many 25A/66/67's pass by full. Likewise at weekends, where the demand is also there.
Tell me, did Mortons ever once try to operate a late service to Lucan?
I really don't think most Dublin Bus routes are loss making, but certainly a lot of them are, thats part of the business. But in this case you're describing the Lucan corridor as loss making, which simply is not the case.
If there was a proper Dublin transport regulator in place, it would enforce operators to run a full service and not just a handful of profitable departures. They might even insist that timetables be placed on stops for Circle Line routes.
It seems to me that Mortons only want to operate at peak hours because they have a guaranteed bus load of passengers, and they can then free up their buses outside peak times to run private hire services, and make more profit.
[posted by: P]Posted 1 year ago # -
You didn't state lucan village which is why I stated the half 6 CL2 which is the lucan bus.I worked for DB,we were shown how our routes in our garage got on throughout the year and they were ALL loss making including the Lucan corridor.You are right there is alot of business on the Lucan road.I drove the DB routes mentioned for a number of years and can assure you after half 6 numbers begin to dwindle,with the exception of the 25A which is strong until about 8.However I pass by bus stops full of people everyday who for whatever reason choose to let me pass and wait for the DB bus to come.It is outside of peak that all operators suffer,DB included.Any profit earned is quickly lost when your buses and drivers spend the rest of the day and night with 20 or 30 people onboard.If we were to run a service who is to say the people who work after half 6 would use it. No one will run a bus that is not profitable and no regulator could make a private company do so without subvention or other income guarantees.This is my overiding point,one which we can't escape and one which you seem to be intent on ignoring.Again you state we only operate at peak times which is again incorrect.You point me to the departure times of our buses,of which I'm well aware, I point you to your incorrect statements.You make a point of castigating us for wanting to make a profit despite accepting that a private company has to make a profit.This makes no sense.Is there a maximum amount of money we should be allowed make.We are a successful company because our passengers are loyal and our customer base continues to grow.When it has grown sufficently services will be increased.Until then you'll have to accept that there are plenty of empty DB buses driving about at night,why do you need others.I might point out I am not speaking on behalf of my company,Its merely a drivers opinion on the current state of play in my industry.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
Maybe Graham should stick to driving buses, if ryanair took that attitude we would only be flying to London.....Posted 1 year ago #
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"Any profit earned is quickly lost when your buses and drivers spend the rest of the day and night with 20 or 30 people onboard."
You're further proving my point that Mortons are only interested in running a service when the bus is full to capicity.
What is wrong with 20-30 passengers?
If need be, run a smaller bus to test the waters, but to say an off peak service is not viable because only 20-30 passenger may travel on each journey is silly.
"However I pass by bus stops full of people everyday who for whatever reason choose to let me pass and wait for the DB bus to come."
This could be, in part, because those passengers have no idea where your service runs to. The Mortons bus stops have little or no information on them, for example, the stop on Pembroke Street, which is a busy stop, has an out of date timetable, listing the only 3 departures on each route, with the last two buses at 17.40.
"No one will run a bus that is not profitable and no regulator could make a private company do so without subvention or other income guarantees.This is my overiding point,one which we can't escape and one which you seem to be intent on ignoring."
I'm not ignoring your point, I just don't agree with it. I believe if there was a proper regulator, you would be forced to run a bus after 6.30. I also don't agree the Lucan Corridor is loss making, infact, it has use of the QBC to further enhance journey times.
I think we will just have to agree to disagree on this one. But it does highlight the possible scenarios Dublin is faced with if priviatisation.
[posted by: The original "P"]Posted 1 year ago # -
First we have to make a profit,Whether its agreeable with you or not.I never said we want all our buses full all the time.just enough over the course of the year that we end up in the black or we won't exist.Try self employment for a few months and you won't think viability is silly
Second The vast majority of DB bustops show no info either.They only have to ask or read the front of the bus which will explain all.Those that do usually board.
Third We probably would be forced to run a bus after that time but we would get profitable runs too that would take the sting out of it.
And fourth It was loss making the last time I saw the results for the routes on it around 14 months ago.A trend which was repeated across the entire DB network we were told.It is certainly profitable on peak but when the rest of the day and night is added in it loses out.But sure waht does it matter if it makes a loss.You don't care and neither does DB.They will still get subvention and free buses funded by the EU.How can a privateer compete with that.And I agree that privatisation of Dublin bus would not transform the bus market but just create different problems
And finally why are you so keen to see us operate all day and night?There are plenty of bus services out ther already.
To the Imposter P,Thanks for your insight.Why not explain why I you think I'm wrong like the original P instead of a useless point.What atitude.Is Ryanair not hugely profitable,Yes the are,Does Michael o'Leary care if they lose money hand overfist,You bet your life he does,which is why they charge people for everything Ryanair have to pay for and why they make a profit.They're good at their job,we are too, thats why were still here.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
i sure if minister cullen
[posted by: wwe]Posted 1 year ago # -
are any of Mortons drivers members of a union if not contact SIPTU...
[posted by: a]Posted 1 year ago # -
Why do we need a union.I had my fill of the useless feckers in DB.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
It's certainly not for anyone outside Mortons to decide that drivers there need a union. However, having just been involved in the organising campaign at Aircoach, I would be glad to hear from any Mortons driver interested in organising a union there - in confidence naturally.Posted 1 year ago #
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unions on the way to Mortons Graham like it or not..Posted 1 year ago #
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Hilarious a.I didn't know the comedy festival extended to these pages.How exactly does a union get in a company if nobody wants them there.Most of our drivers are foreign and couldn't care less and I have no time for trade unions.Even if some drivers join,dosen't mean i have to.Your clearly one of the many wind up merchants us normal people had hoped were gone from this forum.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
so easy to wind u up get a life....Graham... keep driving your brothers buses...Posted 1 year ago #
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I'll do that thanks.
[posted by: Graham]Posted 1 year ago # -
Hey did Elaine ever get her bus to Ballsbridge...Posted 1 year ago #
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I Would Not say Elaine Got the bus, Seem's all you pair have done is Argue on this!
Grow up!
[posted by: B]Posted 1 year ago # -
i have a bus pass i am over 60 and get free travel in manchester would i get free travel in dublin on the buses barbara
[posted by: barbara ward]Posted 10 months ago # -
Sorry Babs but that`s a No.
The only reciprocal Free Pass arrangements are between the Northern Ireland office and our Dept of Social and Family Affairs.
UK Citizens do not have any concessions on our services.
Interesting to see you get Free Travel at 60 as in the Republic it does not begin until 66.....except of course if you have been in receipt of a wide range of other Social Benefits which carry the added benefit of "Free"Travel....then you can travel for life without paying a cent......Posted 10 months ago # -
I have gotten the mortons bus from celbridge to ballsbridge and home again for over 2 years. I would choose their service over DB anyday. They are very reliable and the drivers are very friendly. The reason they may not stop for people on the quays is that they are usually full by then. Sure maybe the walk would do you some good anyway!
[posted by: Emma]Posted 7 months ago # -
Not all of Dublin Bus are bad though, I absloutely hate them as a company but you can't tar them with the same brush. Luckily my daily route has some of the nicest people you can ever meet of drivers, but admittley some others on other routes are a disgrace
[posted by: Ciarian]Posted 7 months ago # -
why extend the 92 to the RDSPosted 6 months ago #
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