Extra buses for extra passengers
January 16th, 2008
We’ve been very busy for the last few days at peak times. As a result, we’re adding two extra buses starting tomorrow. There will be an extra bus from Swords to the city at around 0740 from tomorrow (Thursday) morning. It may depart slightly behind schedule depending on the loading of the bus before it. In the evening, there will be a bus departing Eden Quay for Swords at 1640 in the evening. We expect that these extra services will relieve the congestion on the main services. It will also mean a shorter gap between services between 4.06 and 5.09 which will be convenient for many commuters.
We would welcome any suggestions about how best to utilize these extra buses, in particular, to find the best way to utilize the extra morning bus.
We’re also looking at ways of increasing our load during the middle of the day and would welcome any suggestions you might have.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Extra Morning Bus - Run it from Applewood!!Once people know about it it would be full at a terminus at Applewodd and could therefore run direct to town. It would also mean you achieve a sub 35 minute trip!
Maybe departing at 07.45?
Go on give it a go!!!
January 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Another “run it from my front door” comment……I think everyone could make the same case, run it from my estate and you’ll fill the bus, but I think the routes will expand with the service - in time.
Got the 4:40/45 bus yesterday home from Eden Quay, and it was a perfect time for me, sometimes it’s not as easy to get out at 4:00 for the 4:06.
Not sure if it will make any difference to the 5:09 service at all as I think a lot of the people on that have just finished work at 5:00 or just made there way to the bus stop in that timeframe - so maybe an extra bus at 5:15 if the 5:09 is full. I know there’s one at 5:26 but it makes sense if the demand is at that time to fulfill it, though I wouldn’t like to see the 4:40 service disappear now that it’s there.
good to see you guys making the effort to change things to help the customers.
January 18th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
This seems to be working well for us. We are still buses, but we had plenty of capacity to pick everyone up yesterday with the first bus, mornings and evenings.
January 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hi,
Complements on your service. Having the bus wait at the terminus is a great idea.
I was on the 5:10 from city center and thought it was a great idea of our driver, Robbie to put on music videos. I would like to request that he plays some Bollywood music videos on the way home because you also have Indian people on this bus. Im sure Irish people would enjoy some Bollywood music too.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:49 am
Steve, i am surprised you know where i live!!!
As it happens i don’t actually live in Applewood but a 10 minute walk from there, which is much more convenient than a 30 minute walk to the village terminus… The same applies for residents living in Glen Ellen, Sandford Wood, South Bank, Bunbury Gate, Thornleigh, Castleheath,Ashton Broc, Brides Glen, Applewood…to name but a few!! I just mentioned Applewood Village as it is central to the many many estates in north Swords.
All we are looking for is an easier way into work in the mornings and home in the evenings.
Swords Express asked for suggestions as they have an additional bus in the mornings. To my mind this is a sign of the fleet growing and possibly a chance to expand the route.
There are many like me who think they same way. By no stretch am i looking for a service to “run from my front door”……although a nice thought Stevo!!!!
January 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Vinny - I’m not a stakler, I really don’t know where you live
I wasn’t having a go, I’ve just seen a lot of comments mentioning individual Estates (as you’ve listed a lot of them there) and I understand that it’s just a comment as has been asked for by the company, I just think the Service needs a little time to work as it is.
Maybe I’m just worried (as will probably happen) when the service expands and gets busier it will be useless to me as it will be full before it gets near my stop, but that may never happen. But I’ve defintely noticed increased numbers in the mornings, the 7:39 bus was full this morning - and a lot more people at the Bus Stop for the Express than for any of the Dublin Bus services……
And believe it or not some people do expect it to run by their door, I know what you’re saying about the 30 minute walk - I currently have a 10 minute one so that’s fine for me, but 30 would take out a fair amount of the benefit in using the service…..
January 21st, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Extra buses for extra passengers is great. But can you get the drivers to check properly if the bus is full or not. I was getting the 8:26 bus this morning. My other half was the last one on the bus. The driver told me to wait whilst he checked to see if it was full. He took a scientific poll by asking for anybody to put up their hand if there were free seats. Nobody did so I didn’t get on. My missus texted me to say there were three free seats down the back (by this stage he had taken off). It would have taken the driver 20 seconds to walk half way down the bus and you’d have made an extra €9 for that bus this morning.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Applewood service sounds like a great idea to me. Vinny listed 9 estates in that area alone, there are more, such as Wikefield apartments and jugback lane. The point is that this would offer the North West corner of Swords an infrastructural lifeline that would ensure that people don’t have to make it into the town centre 1st thing in the morning, when a 5-10 minute walk to Applewood would serve the same purpose. Lets not forget folks, work has started on traffic lights at the bottom of the Glen Ellen Road, to give priority to traffic coming out of the aforementioned estates, this will benefit the Swords Express service also.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
We now have an application in for an Applewood service.
Antoin.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
That’s fantastic news, well done Swords Express for listening to your customers’ views and opinions.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I can second that “Fantastic News” about application for an Applewood Service !
Ursula
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Let me first start by thanking you for the additional services, these are well needed! Unfortunately I had to watch the 17.09 bus drive by me yet again even with the extra service. I have applied for the yearly ticket and im hoping I wont be regretting this decision. Also I wouldn’t be opposed to an applewood stop…
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Great news about the applewood submission .What these Moaners like steve above don’t seem capable of comprehending is that there is a) a Hub of 10-12 developments surrounding the area which is excellent for Commuters and Company and b) theres a duel carraigeway the majority of the way there and no traffic lights .Its not a “my front door ” issue , its common feckin sense.
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
this applewood application is just brilliant news..i’d like to join the chorus of approval. If successful it will work, from you Company’s and the customers point of view. i have no doubt about it. Well done.
Fingers crossed there are no objections form any other operators - the same ones who refused to run a decent service from here. They couldn’t get it together to organise a transport service to “serve the community” and being the begrudgers they are i wouldn’t be surprised to hear they object in some manner. Hope to god not!
Antoin, going on past experiences, how long do you expect the application to take?
Looking forward to telling my mates and the neighbours the great news. Well done again!!
January 24th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Gav - I wasn’t moaning about a service to Applewood, I’m delighted they are attempting to expand the service, merely pointing out that lots of people automatically start pushing to have a very new service run to many different routes and new services that expand too quickly tend to disappear just as quickly, and as I said in a response earlier I would just be worried that the current service would be affected, great if it’s new busses on a new route, but as the service is getting more popular the current service is already very busy at the times I use it…..so if it got to the stage that the buses were full before reaching my area I’d be back to square one……
January 24th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Can you say when or if additional buses will be added to the morning service? It is becoming increasing difficult to get a bus between 8am and 9am across from the Texaco garage. The buses are almost always full when they reach this stop (twice this week I’ve waited up to an hour for a bus). Although I do think it’s a great and very efficient service, I’m starting to find it difficult to rely on it getting me to work on time!
Apologies if such plans have already been announced (I haven’t read every page of the site) but I’ve just purchased a month ticket and would like to think I don’t still have to fork out for Dublin bus tickets as a fall back!
January 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I agree with Steve, my stop is one of the last pick ups. if the buses are full (as with the 41x when it finally reached Boroimhe) then this would be a major problem given that I am about to apply for an annual ticket I would need some comfort that the service will be able to service all stops. Are two routes being considered with an expanded fleet?
January 24th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Antoin
Will Swords Express facilitate the transport of a folding bike? I guess the bike would need to be stored in the luggage area of the bus as it would take up a seat if taken into the main part of the bus. I have seen coaches on the continent where the driver can open the luggage area from his seat and the passenger is responsible for loading and unloading. I would typically be getting on the bus at the first stop.
My job is moving so will need the bike to get from City Centre out to my new office.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I’m with Nick & Steve. I get the bus at one of the last stops (Texaco at Airside) and I’ve already been unable to get on a couple of times because the bus was full. It’s what’s holding me back from getting the bigger tickets. If the Swords Express is full I generally fall back to Dublin Bus.
It’s a hard life though if the worst complaint your customers have is that you’re too busy
I noticed on the bus this morning that there are changes to the times on the 7:53AM route. How about putting an update pdf on the front page. I put all the times from the last one in my phone but they’re out of date now. Or make a new category on the right hand side of the web page called timetable.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Lad, would an additional “Applewood” bus(s) allow commumters from north swords use this service thus freeing up seats on the current buses for all of the Boroimhe people??
In otherwords rather than less seats for you guys there would actually be more!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Ah I didn’t know it was an additional bus. How do you know that Vinny? If it is of course it would add more seats.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am
it’s in the 2nd parahraph in the article at the top!!
“We would welcome any suggestions about how best to utilize these extra buses, in particular, to find the best way to utilize the extra morning bus”
January 28th, 2008 at 11:24 am
That’s talking about the existing route. Those two extra buses have started. They’re not going to Applewood.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:46 am
i know the 7.40 is one of the extra buses. What time is the other one being use at?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Vinny, the extra one from town in the evenings is at 4:40ish……works well for me, but I don’t think (as I said above) it’s alleviating the pressure on the 5:10 service….
on the Applewood service, I’m not sure it would make much of a difference to the numbers already using the service, I suppose we wouldn’t know until the service was up and running, but I see your point, my only worry was that it would be a bus shifted from the other route and not a new bus/busses for Applewood……but like I said we’ll see how it all pans out, let’s hope the application goes through without any hitch’s and it’s all up and running quickly…..
I’ve actually started to get an earlier bus as the 7:39am one was getting really packed, but it’s great to see the service growing and to have a company that actually listens to it’s customers….
January 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I would have thought that 1 bus is used at 7.40 in the morning and that same bus is used in the evenings at 4.40ish.
That still leaves the 2nd bus to be put into operation. That’s why they were asking for suggestions & that’s why i raised the possibility of a seperate Applewood service!
January 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
That’s what I would have assumed too Vinny, so we’ll see how it pans out, hopefully success will breed success with these routes and more busses will be added and more routes……
On my way home yesterday I saw a bus infront of us that’s going from Dalkey to the Airport using the tunnel, hadn’t noticed it before so assumed it’s a new service, called www.thepattonflyer.ie - might just point to the fact that the tunel is going to get a wider range of services.
And finally, someone mentioned further up this topic that the bus wasn’t full but the driver hadn’t fully checked it out - I’ve noticed over the last week or so the usual ignorant bus passengers that annoyed the crap out of me on Dublin Bus services, people sitting on the outside seat and using the inside seat to store their bags etc….. this is ignorance as these people know others are trying to get on the bus and they haven’t paid the extra €3 to have a second seat, I’m not making excuses for the Driver not checking fully - but a cursory check down the isle showing him that all outside seats are full may imply that the buss is full, would be nice if passengers had some manners and just used the seats as they are supposed to be used, fill the inside first…..
January 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I’m sure the extensions of the service to north west swords will be welcomed and supported by all of the bus commuters who live there. A 20/30 minute walk for these people to Pennys doesn’t make the current service feasible for them.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Applewood is a great idea. I know at least 6, probably more, people who would get your bus if it left form or dropped people back at Applewood. You need more buses though. Full buses passing people = people who will never take the risk of buying your yearly ticket.
When your bus passes people they fall back on Dublin bus. If they have bought a yearly swords express ticket then it costs them to do this.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
PS i’ve noticed people taking up 2 seats too. Pure ignorance.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
great service guys, horrendous website however!!! where are the timetables???
January 29th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
The 18.27 service never arrived this evening 29.01.08. At approx 18.50 two buses arrived. Then a third bus passed us before entering the tunnel. What this means is that I would have been quicker getting Dublin Bus which I have an annual ticket. Traffic does not explain three buses coming at once. I have got this service on a number of occassions which I’m very impressed with up until today. Just wondering also if you are looking into ten journey tickets.
January 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Where does one locate the Swords Express Timetable?
Many thanks
January 30th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Dont forget Swords Manor, we dont want to be left out and be stuck with Dublin Bus, I have used your service from day one, now work from home, so please do research on this area, it would be of great, for my tenants living with me too, Please Damo
February 1st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Great service guys and while I think all this talk about new routes etc is great, I think the most pressing point is how can Swords Express increase it’s load factor during the off peak services because that is what will make the service a success and allow it to expand to other areas.
Why are people still using Dublin Bus? Is it advertising? Would reducing the off peak price to €2 make any difference?
February 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Just wondering is there any update on the application to run bus to/from Applewood Village ?
U
February 7th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I look forward to the service being extended to Applewood. I live in Glen Ellan and currently get the bus at 6.34am. If and when you get the go ahead for the Applewood service, do you intend to have the first bus leave at around 6.30am? Or would it be later? Anyway I have only used the service since last week (having recently returned to work from maternity leave) and I think it is fantastic! Keep you the good work!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:20 am
We need even more buses Antoin.
Obviously you’re doing something right. I remember when this started some people were complaining about it being €3 a trip.
The 7:50AM bus was full this morning before Pinnock Hill. The 8:00AM bus was able to take on 8 people at the last stop at Texaco.
Those times aren’t on the timetable but they’re printed on the buses doors. I’ve given up on the timetable.
But on the timetable there’s a 7:37AM bus. Can anybody who gets this let me know if it’s full too to see if it’s worth my while getting up earlier. I need my beauty sleep.
By the way if you’re looking for more business ideas I was telling a mate about this bus. Apparently the buses in Ashbourne get full in the town then the bus mainly goes a meandering route to Dublin. There might be opportunity for an Ashbourne Express. They already have to pay way more than €3 each way for a roughly similar distance.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Michael,
Re the 7:37 bus: Every morning this week it has left BEFORE 7:37. This morning I was at my stop (the next stop after penny’s) at 7:34 and just missed the 7:37 bus! My watch is not slow. All the other people who normally get the 7:37 bus were all left waiting for the next bus which was quite full by the time it arrived at our stop. The 7:37 bus has been leaving earlier and earlier all week long, it is extremely frustrating. so if you are willing to get up extra early and take a chance, you can get a seat, but if the bus leaves early, you may have a very long wait for the next bus.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Michael, i’ve been getting the 7.50 or 8.00 bus for the last week but prior to that was getting the 7.37 - pretty full a couple of weeks ago and as all buses seem to be getting fuller by the day i would say that bus is full too at this stage!!
Forget Ashbourne for the moment. You should be pushing for extra buses for the Applewood express!! If you stand outside Penny’s every morning from 7.30 to after 8 o’clock you will understand why the buses are full by the time they get to your stop. It’s car after car after car from North Swords dropping prople off!!! Just think if Applewood had it’s own service how many seats would that free up for you guys??!! Think about it. It makes so much sense.You would get lots more beauty sleep without having to worry about getting a seat!
Why don’t you help push for the extra Applewood buses? the knock on effect for you guys is obvious!! Everybody who uses this service should be pushing for extra busese. Full stop!
By the way Antoin, any word on how the application is going for it? Keep up the good work.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
You can push but you’ll be pushing against a brick wall. They’ve applied for Applewood. There’s nothing more he can do (I think) to speed up the application. DOT like to take months over applications. Maybe they should get their car parking spots taken away and made use buses.
You could try emailing or ringing the local TDs and write to one of the many newspapers that gets shoved in the front doors.
I did that (before Swords Express was around) for Dublin Buses 41X application for the tunnel (around June last year). See how quick that went.
They’re still not using the tunnel (well there’s the random one or to unofficial ones that do but you can’t rely on them)
February 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Michael/Vinny,
I was getting the 7:37 in the mornings, from the across from the Texaco station, but it was getting too full, went past full one day so I started to get the 7:06 and have been for the last few weeks and as with the other busses you guys have mentioned it’s definitely a lot more busy too, wasn’t as busy this morning, but it’s a good sign, and Vin might actually get that Applewood service if things keep like this - but don’t count on a quick decision from the DOT they don’t make decisions in a hurry even when they are obvious and in front of their faces…….
and why is it that large majority of people taking up 2 seats is women ???
February 11th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Hi there,
I do like your service and have been getting it most days from opposite Texaco near Airside. This is another moan about needing more buses as I was there at 7.55 this morning and both buses that came by i.e one at 8.10 another at 8.35 were both full and the drivers didn’t stop. I ended up sharing a taxi into town with 3 others as no one could afford to be late having waited for 40 minutes.
Please consider another bus between 8.10-8.35 as this is peak time as well.
Cheers,
Celia
February 12th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Epic FAIL this afternoon.
If a 2nd stop (IFSC) has already 30 or so people waiting, do you really think it’s a good idea to take a full bus at the 1st stop? Twice in a row?
It’s not particularly fun to see… not just one, but two full busses passing without taking passengers. Not to mention waiting 45 minutes in the cold.
Chris
February 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I was waiting at Eden quay from 5.55, the 6 oclock bus was full and did not take me along with another 10 people. The next bus was due to leave at 6.30, and as it was 6.05 at this time I decide to wait. The 6.30 bus left Eden Quay at 6.50! The excuse from the driver being traffic. The traffic this evening was not particularly heavy, and next bus arrived at it correct time. I have been using your service from the first day, I was one of three people on the 8.10 on your first day of service, telling friends and familly how reliable the service was. Since then, it has gradully become a more expensive Dublin bus service, with people regularly being left behind at bus stops and buses late for no reason, especially the 6.30.
The gap between buses at peak time from the city does not make sense, hence the crushes that were evident today. I hope that you listen to your customers, look at ways of increasing capacity at the times your customers need, and improve the punctuality of the buses. I along with another 60+ people, am extremely irate after this evenings show.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Please please please put more buses on!!! It is a regular occurrence for a bus to pass me by full recently. Yesterday the 18.26 service never even showed up and at 18.50 a full swords express passed us at the IFSC house. A bus then didn’t arrive until 19.00!!!Please don’t make me regret getting my yearly ticket…..
February 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am
The 6:34 am journey from Swords is blighted by the driver (not Robbie) inflicting upon us a very loud rubbish radio station apparently targeted at morons. Please, turn it down or, better still, off.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
For the 2nd morning running the 7:37 left people behind (has only picked up 2 people each morning) at the Texaco station. How about a bus from Ridgewood, Boroimhe, Holywell and on into the city centre. A lot of people are coming from these area’s to get the Swords Express.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Hi There, got the bus this morning - Great service - Will be using it a couple of days a week. Quick question - I’m not so technically minded and I’m struggling to find an up to date timetable - Would you point me in the right direction?
Cheers
G
March 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
thats great we need a good lot of bus stops but make sure the best driver robbie is driving my bus