Long Haul Bus Route

[Gary]

Weekend just gone tried the bus option with Aircoach from Dublin to Cork. Left at 3pm on Sat so no big drama on getting out of Dublin on the traffic front. 18 euro return not bad value.

However the bloomin route it took and how long it took brought into question the sanity of whoever gives out the licence for the routes (which I assume aircoach have no control over). We zoomed along fine out of Dublin along the ever improving road to cork. Then we started our offroad driving via Kildare, Monsteravin, Cashel, Michelstow, Fermoy. In total picked up two passengers from Cashel. The funny thinq is the bus pays the toll for the Fermoy bypass then goes in via the town. On the way back same story via Fermoy even though the bus was full and couldn't take any more passangers.

I understand the need to have some routes that are not express but surely is it possible to get a direct bus and actually make it to cork in less than 4 1/2 hours? With a new motorway due to open to connect Dublin - Cork you'll never get people out of their cars if there's never an express bus route.

Anyone else had the same experience or know how the routes are meant to work?