New Free Travel Row

James Howard · 25-06-2018, 10:40

On the medical appointment issue, I'd suggest that the HSE should issue a public transport voucher with every medical appointment that is entirely separate from the Free Travel scheme.

This way, they would be forced to properly consider the full economic cost of centralisation of services. At the moment, a lot of their savings are simply pushing costs onto either CIE or the patients.

Thomas J Stamp · 25-06-2018, 11:35

any medical appointment i got (or relations) seesm to be about 9 or 10 am, so the FTP is needed then.

there is another solution which the TD's are avoiding - increase capacity, including BAC. BAC are being forced by the NTA to replace their fleet with buses of lower capacity as well as hand over buses to Go Ahead. Madness.

berneyarms · 25-06-2018, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

any medical appointment i got (or relations) seesm to be about 9 or 10 am, so the FTP is needed then.

there is another solution which the TD's are avoiding - increase capacity, including BAC. BAC are being forced by the NTA to replace their fleet with buses of lower capacity as well as hand over buses to Go Ahead. Madness.

Just to clarify that DB are receiving a replacement vehicle for every bus transferred to Go Ahead - these will expand the service on routes retained by DB.

The PSO fleet in Dublin will expand by this and the new buses being ordered by the NTA for Go Ahead (appx 100 buses in total) in 2018.

Traincustomer · 25-06-2018, 16:03

There are provincial and indeed city routes where the only services of the day are at "peak hours" so the argument for restrictions is fundamentally flawed.

The crux of the issue, as I see it, is Mark's point 4 viz. that IÉ are not being remunerated at a fair commercial rate.

James raises an interesting idea about the HSE potentially issuing a public transport voucher.

ACustomer · 26-06-2018, 16:52

As far as I am aware, peak hour constraints used apply to Dublin Bus only. In any event, the only serious case for its introduction are for the morning peak on DB, and IE on Dublin Suburban and DART. Provincial services are not as subject to serious and persistent overcrowding.

A question for Mark G. Could you elaborate more on the Companion issue. Is the availability too generous and are there specific abuses which even the politically timid might consider doing something about?

Traincustomer · 26-06-2018, 18:34

It also used to apply on provincial bus services as a late great-aunt of mine would pay for the first 20 miles or so from Dublin to a particular town and then be able to use her pass the remainder of the journey.

berneyarms · 26-06-2018, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traincustomer

It also used to apply on provincial bus services as a late great-aunt of mine would pay for the first 20 miles or so from Dublin to a particular town and then be able to use her pass the remainder of the journey.

That provincial bus restriction was only on Friday evenings on departures between 16:00 & 19:00 from Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Not exactly unreasonable.

The city bus restrictions applied to Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

No similar rail restrictions.

25-06-2018, 11:35	#2
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	any medical appointment i got (or relations) seesm to be about 9 or 10 am, so the FTP is needed then. there is another solution which the TD's are avoiding - increase capacity, including BAC. BAC are being forced by the NTA to replace their fleet with buses of lower capacity as well as hand over buses to Go Ahead. Madness. __________________ We are the passengers

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25-06-2018, 10:40	#1
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	On the medical appointment issue, I'd suggest that the HSE should issue a public transport voucher with every medical appointment that is entirely separate from the Free Travel scheme. This way, they would be forced to properly consider the full economic cost of centralisation of services. At the moment, a lot of their savings are simply pushing costs onto either CIE or the patients.

25-06-2018, 16:03	#4
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	There are provincial and indeed city routes where the only services of the day are at "peak hours" so the argument for restrictions is fundamentally flawed. The crux of the issue, as I see it, is Mark's point 4 viz. that IÉ are not being remunerated at a fair commercial rate. James raises an interesting idea about the HSE potentially issuing a public transport voucher.

26-06-2018, 16:52	#5
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	As far as I am aware, peak hour constraints used apply to Dublin Bus only. In any event, the only serious case for its introduction are for the morning peak on DB, and IE on Dublin Suburban and DART. Provincial services are not as subject to serious and persistent overcrowding. A question for Mark G. Could you elaborate more on the Companion issue. Is the availability too generous and are there specific abuses which even the politically timid might consider doing something about?

26-06-2018, 18:34	#6
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 600	It also used to apply on provincial bus services as a late great-aunt of mine would pay for the first 20 miles or so from Dublin to a particular town and then be able to use her pass the remainder of the journey.