Dublin Bus
Dubliners and tourists use the bus service heavily everyday and spend a lot of money, as a result one wonder that quality of bus service should increase; but instead the standard of both bus and bus drivers (keep reading!) seems to go lower and lower.
Every now and then, either I come across bizarre scenes or I hear from people around, about their weird experiences in the bus. Allow me to share few of those moments:
– I was on the bus around the quays, I pushed the button for the bus to stop (obviously the next stop!), the bus driver immediately hit the breaks in the middle of the road, without realizing who’s he shouting at, “there’s no stop here, why you pushed the button, now get off the bus”; and I thought to myself, is this guy insane or what?
– A friend of mine was waiting for the bus (as well as other dozen folks), the bus came but ignored everybody on the bus stop, few waved and ran toward the bus as luckily their was red signal; the bus driver opened the door and said, “what?”.
– Another one, I was on the bus I pushed the button to stop but realized it was not the stop I wanted to get off, I quickly apologized to the driver that I didn’t want to get off, and it’s the next stop. The bus driver was like in his own world, seems like he didn’t even notice, then he stopped the bus and gave me a deep stare! I repeated, “sorry, it’s the next stop”. What he replied, “then why the fuck you pushed the button?”
– This one is just unbelievable, I took the nite-link (26/11/2006 at 03:30am) (00-D-40097), this was the conversation I had with the lady driver:
Me: Hi
Driver: Just put the card in the fucking machine, asshole.
Me: Excuse me?
Driver: You heard me!?
Me: What did you just say?
Driver. (talking to herself) Fucking Assholes!
Now, about the last incident, I even tried contacting dublin bus… but as expected, their no complaint department and even if it was there, there’s no point complaining to the source of the problem.
So, I categorize them as…
Arrogant – These bus drivers basically don’t give a damn about you, its more like you’re disturbing their daily routine by getting on the bus.
Unfriendly – Even worse, asking for information is asking for trouble.
Threatening – Seriously. Is riding bus something personal?
Insane – No idea about their surrounding whether in or outside the bus.
I wonder, what sort of requirement or training the bus drivers have; what about the use of language? at least basic social skills; as a friend of mine said, if they don’t like their job then its not our problem.
I came across this guy, once on a bus, probably who was not mentally stable; he was keep on muttering “no more money for the bus company”. I was not surprised, in fact I thought this guy can start a revolution! No more money for the bus company!
What’s your thoughts?
Dublin Bus – Serving the entire community. (makes me laugh!)
I’m sure your experiences are not unique as I’ve had a few less than good incidents of my own. However, there have also been many other occasions when Dublin Bus drivers have been far more helpful than I would have asked.
Maybe you live on the wrong side of the river.
@all:
Just want to add, apparently the bus drivers don’t discriminate the areas, so it happens all over dublin but mostly (as we’ve noticed) in/around city center (especially the quays area).
Obviously, there are nice folks as well, but in the current picture, the morons are overshadowing them.
I think it’s a good thing to complain on a blog like this.
Ive actually had memorable experiences on buses. Bus drivers always tell me when to get off; usually I dont know where I should get off, and when I ask them, they are real nice about it….maybe it’s cuz im a girl tho…….I’ve never had a bad experience on buses!!
I agree it is inconvenient and not a very good sign that DB don’t have a central Customer Services Department. However,complaints can be taken to individual depots/garages, there is a list of them on this page —
http://www.dublinbus.ie/home/contact_details.asp
or sent to —
INFO@dublinbus.ie
Alternatively join a ginger group such as the one below —
http://busrage.com/msg1403.html
Failing that, if you feel really strongly contact the Quality Customer Service Committee [mentioned on their website] at –
http://www.dublinbus.ie/about_us/quality_customer_service_committee.asp
although how you contact them or whether they still exist [last report was published in 2002] I will leave to you. Names are on the report.
Or find the boss’s email address and send your complaint to the top.
What a pleasant surprise to read your thoughts about Dublin bus drivers. I though it only happened to me…
I have been to several foreign countries, and I have to say that, so far, Dublin bus drivers are the worst ever. They are not even a little bit consider. If you catch the bus on a red traffic light, they are not willing to open you up the door. OK, I do not blame for this I prefer to think this is Dublin Bus policy.
My worst experience with Dublin bus drivers was once near to Trinity College. People was getting on the bus at the first stop. As I could saw the scene from the distance, I started to run to before the queue was done, but I wasn’t fast enough. Although the driver could see me from the distance, he closed down the entrance door and flew away. I missed the bus for 2 seconds. So rude!!! I cried.
Since then on, I never say again thanks to the bus drivers before getting off. They do not deserve it.