BÉ Connected December 2014

Issue 1 December 2014

For Staff of Bus Éireann

Expressway, Like the car only better

Broadstone Open House

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CEO’s Message

I

am delighted to be able to include my Christmas message for 2014 in the first edition of Bus Éireann’s company magazine – BÉ connected. This magazine is part of a number of initiatives we are working on to improve communication within Bus Éireann and I look forward to further editions in 2015.

I am optimistic about our future, however, I would not like to underestimate the challenges that lie ahead. We are seeing increased passenger numbers and revenue growth on all our product lines, as a result of improvements in the economy and other factors, not least our network improvements. To date revenue has increased by 5.6% year on year and we anticipate that this level of growth will continue to the end of the year.

I am pleased to confirm that Expressway will show a small profit in 2014, with the new livery and advertising campaign being very well received along with a number of changes to the network. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of those staff involved in implementing these changes so successfully. However I must point out that the re-instatement of the pre-June 2013 terms and conditions of employment, although welcome, will increase our cost base and place renewed pressure on Expressway.

PSO is expected to break even in 2014, with both Stage Carriage and Provincial Cities improving on last year’s performance. New services in Cork and the Wild Atlantic Way were widely welcomed and attracted praise from our new Minister who could see the positive contribution of Bus Éireann to the local communities and to the tourist sector. The introduction of the Leap Card in Cork and Galway brings a new dynamic to provincial cities and I welcome it’s rollout in Limerick and Waterford.

This month will see the finalisation of the new Public Service Contract (PSC) for another five years, with Bus Éireann providing 100% of PSO services for two years and guaranteed to provide at least 90% for three years. Both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and our customers are continually demanding better services and this is evident in the new contract; the deliverables required of us are more exacting than the previous contract and this is also the case with regard to penalties for any underperformance. We are continuing talks with the Labour Relations Commission and the trade unions so that a satisfactory solution can be found for all involved with regard to the tendering of 10% of the PSC services in 2016.

The customer service experience will have to be a focus in 2015 – both in terms of the customer’s journey and our ability to respond to queries and complaints, received through all the various channels now available. The burgeoning world of mobile technology places new demands on all service providers and Bus Éireann is no different. Our customers can now broadcast widely and instantaneously about any perceived shortfalls in our services. This can be further compounded if a customer does not receive an immediate response to a query or complaint. There is no doubt that this is an area that requires further investment and we have already commenced work on a new system to improve customer communication.

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I am very conscious that School Transport has been through a very challenging period with the implementation of a new IT system and I recognise the enormous contribution that all school transport staff have made throughout 2014. I would like to thank you all wholeheartedly for your commitment and ongoing support; you have clearly demonstrated your professionalism and dedication and have ensured that our school buses operate despite very difficult circumstances.

Once again our maintenance staff have done a tremendous job in 2014, maintaining an ageing fleet to a high level of reliability and safety. I am sure that they, and all staff, will be delighted to hear that we are in a position to invest in much needed new fleet. In addition to 20 new 14m tri-axle coaches for Expressway due for delivery early next year, there will be a further delivery of 57 new vehicles for our PSO services (funded by the NTA). Plans are also in place to purchase similar numbers of new vehicles towards the end of 2015 and into 2016, and we are also looking at revitalising the school transport fleet.

As always in Bus Éireann safety is critical and 2015 will see an ever increasing focus on safety, ensuring that we deliver and maintain the highest safety standards. Our customers rely on us to take them to their destinations safely; we can never compromise on this.

Finally, I would like thank you all for participating in the Staff Survey – another element of our plans to improve communication.

This survey is very important to all of us, as the information gathered from the survey will help shape the future of Bus Éireann.

I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Le gach dea ghuí I gcóir na Nollag agus na hAth bhliana.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Nolan Chief Executive Officer

Editor: Lynda Maguire Contributors: Nicola Cooke, Suzanne Altman, Mary-Rose McLoughlin Design: Kieran J Leonard kieranjleonard@gmail.com Print: Spectrum Print Logistics If you have any queries or articles of interest for BÉ connected please send them to: The Editor, BÉ connected, Room 6, Bus Éireann, Broadstone, Dublin 7.

Email Address: BEconnected@buseireann.ie Cover Photo: Expressway, official sponsors of elite cyclist Caroline Ryan from Straffan, Co. Kildare. Caroline is one of the world’s best female Individual Pursuit Track Cyclists and is currently ranked 10th in the World Rankings for the Individual Pursuit.

Bus Éireann's

Strategy Intent Statement Bus Éireann Vision

To be recognised as a community focused bus company of choice that provides innovative and customer centred transport management solutions to world class standards in Ireland and internationally.

Bus Éireann Corporate Objectives

• Develop a sustainable financial structure through capital investment, network optimisation and product development.

• Build trusted and recognised brands with the customer as the central focus.

• Maintain a competitive cost base through increased operational efficiencies.

• Ensure we have a fully engaged and committed workforce with the right skills and competencies.

• Develop strong relationships with our customers, business partners and public transport stakeholders.

Overall Performance Operating Revenue

PSO Subvention

€103.3m €98.1m

€24.5m €26.5m

2014 2013

2014 2013

Return to growth on all products, driven by the economic recovery, network improvements, tourism growth and a new marketing campaign for Expressway.

Subvention reduction in 2014 of €2m due to National Budgetary constraints.

Fuel Costs

Non Pay, Fuel & Depreciation Operating Costs

€26.1m €28.1m

€120m €118m

2014 2013

Other operating costs remain very challenging and in particular Bus Hire and Maintenance Costs. The age of our fleet increases costs and it is essential that the company can continue with its reinvestment plan.

77 new vehicles will enter service early 2015.

A 7% saving on fuel is representative of reducing international fuel prices, and efficiency improvements.

Revenue - External

2014 2013

The economic recovery helped by the best tourist season since the recession, together with new investment in Expressway has resulted in increased passenger and revenue growth.

Costs

State Subvention for PSO

Capital investment in 2014, was approx €3m.

2015 will see the arrival of 77 new vehicles.

Significant challenges in 2014, with reduced subvention of €2.5m Versus 2013.

Fleet age is driving adverse maintenance and bus hire costs.

Capital investment in early 2015 will help alleviate this issue.

Capital Investment

Notes • • •

Operating Revenue = RP Revenue and included DSP but excludes subvention.

Fuel costs per CIE MRT report Non Pay Operating costs per CIE MRT reports.

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Expressway LIKE THE CAR, ONLY BETTER Earlier this year, we began the process of visibly differentiating our commercial service from our PSO service. The State funds the latter but we must fund investment in Expressway through any profits we generate by ourselves.

When our research told us that customers didn’t see any difference between our service offerings (since the livery was so broadly similar), we knew we had to make a change to ensure we could position ourselves to compete more effectively with ever-improving private operator services.

Expressway, endorsed by Bus Éireann allows us to deliver a unique offering, where our imaginations and initiative have much less boundaries. Established 40 years ago next year, Expressway was launched as the original inter-city coach service. We now have an opportunity to re-launch the product and in the process, begin to create a brand in Expressway

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which is clear about what it stands for and what our offering will be. Brands are all about promise. We choose them because we know what to expect so our task is to define that expectation over the next 18 months in terms of service, experience, value, facilities and imagery.

Our first step was to re-paint our fleet and the full re-paint has begun. Earlier this year, we launched a new TV and billboard ad campaign for our sleek new Expressway fleet.

Featuring cinematography, the latest in 3D imagery, a Game of Thrones star, and an A-list Hollywood director, this new campaign is unlike any of its predecessors.

The advert hit TV screens and showcases Expressway’s new red and silver quality livery. We will drive it even harder on screens this year over the Christmas season.

Directed by Dundalk native and Hollywood heavy hitter John Moore - whose previous credits include Behind Enemy Lines with Gene Hackman, A Good Day to Die Hard with Bruce Willis, and voiced by Michael McElhatton – the Expressway advert says a lot about the hallmark of quality we are striving to deliver.

Expressway’s new tagline “Like a car, only better” embodies “a bold promise which can be delivered on a number of dimensions.”

“Ultimately, it signals a step change in our thinking and with more service enhancements to come, we will continue to persuade more people to leave the car behind, and discover Expressway benefits themselves.”

The commercial Expressway service uses an average of 135 coaches everyday, to service 25 routes. The company purchased 28 new coaches in 2012 and these have already been rebranded in new livery this year, while a further 20 new coaches have been ordered with an investment of almost €9 million. These new coaches will offer a luxurious interior and on board toilet facilities, along with Wi-Fi, charging sockets and air conditioning – exactly as customers expect from a quality brand. All of the Expressway fleet are expected to be fully rebranded by mid-2015 and the plan for re-furbishment is also in train.

These improvements mark the beginning of a re-positioning for Expressway, which aims to set new standards in customer service.

Promotional fares this year have already proven popular and the company continues to grow passenger numbers and cut travel times.

This year has been exciting for the team as we begin the process of re-inventing the brand. New imagery, competitive fares and new facilities will need to be matched however, by extraordinary levels of service and customer care. Competition is intense as you will all know, and to win, we must be better.

Better on our 25 routes and on every dimension which the customer expects us to deliver. As always, these are the simple things which include punctuality, reliability, on-board facilities and courtesy. If we can get it right though, the prospects for growth are exciting. In 2015, we must begin to deliver real change and ultimately, we must be competitive. This is, afterall, our commercial service and we will need to be even more commercial to win.

IRIZAR CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY Irizar, builders of many of Bus Eireann’s service fleet including the SE and SP, celebrates 125 years in business having been founded in 1889.

Irizar built its first bus body in 1929 and has since developed into a global manufacturer of buses and coaches.

The Irizar production facility is based in Ormaiztegi in the Basque region of industrial Northern Spain. This year also marks the production and testing of Irizars first fully electric citybus on the streets of Barcelona and San Sebastian with further tests expected in Madrid and beyond.

Irizar celebrated its anniversary with events at the Madrid bus exhibition and in the magnificent Palacio de Communicaciones at the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid.

Bus Éireann congratulates Irizar on reaching this important milestone in its history and wishes all the staff and management every success in the next 125 years.

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ACCESSIBILITY

and Accessible Vehicle Information It is Bus Éireann’s policy to procure accessible vehicles as part of the continuing programme of fleet replacement and upgrading.

Bus Éireann, in partnership with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are committed to providing fully accessible services within specific time frames as detailed and agreed within the Transport Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005.

The company follow best practice standards when improving the accessibility of our services. Bus stations at Dundalk, Drogheda, Waterford, Athlone, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan, Ballina, Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Cork, Ennis and Tralee are fully accessible, including accessible toilets. Bus Éireann remains committed to rolling out the accessible coach service with wheelchair lift facilities on a route by route basis as soon as the full complement of accessible coaches are available and the appropriate infrastructure is in place.

Bus Éireann has already met its target of 100% accessible city services in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway and the inter-city coach services together with stage carriage and rural services are scheduled for 2015.

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Additionally, over 280 new vehicles purchased in the last number of years under Transport 21 and the company’s own resources, are accessible either through low floor access, “kneeling” access that sees the vehicle lowered to bring the entrance step area in line with or closer to the kerb, or wheelchair lift.

These include low floor accessible double deck coaches and buses used on some commuter routes such as Cavan-KellsNavan-Dunshaughlin-Dublin, AthboyTrim-Dublin and Edenderry-Dublin. All our vehicles also feature handrails that assist with ascending or descending the entrance steps, and contrasting strips that define each step.

Currently Bus Éireann has 4 intercity coach routes which are fully wheelchair accessible as follows: 109a Navan to DCU, via the Airport with wheelchair accessible stops at DCU (Collins Avenue), the Airport and Navan (Fire Station) (Table 109a) Waterford to Cork with wheelchair accessible stops in Cork Bus Station, Castlemartyr, Youghal, Killeagh, Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford Bus Station (Table 40) Galway to Athlone – this service operates end to end, bus station to bus station (Table 20, Service 430) Galway to Ballina – this service operates end to end, bus station to bus station (Table 456)

Background to Wheelchair Accessible Coaches: Bus Éireann operated trials with accessible coaches and wheelchair lifts on two routes, Cork to Waterford and Navan to DCU. The purpose of these trials was to test the coach vehicle itself, the reservations/booking system, the maintenance methods and the staff training systems and also the supporting infrastructure of the bus stations and the bus stops.

There are in fact a number of infrastructure issues that need to be addressed in order for the side lift on the high floor coaches to be operated safely.

We require a firm 3m square operating area at each bus stop where the lift is to be used. The lift itself extends 2m and 1m is required for wheelchair access. Without this clear operating area customers would encounter difficulties manoeuvring on and off the lift as they would be obstructed by walls etc., or forced to negotiate uneven ground and/or soft verges.

Having looked at the stops on these routes there are a significant number of narrow pathways next to walls and soft grass areas that need reviewing with the local council before we can allow operation of the side lifts on these routes.

Each service has one wheelchair space, thus a reservation system will be in place, requiring an intended customer to book 24 hours in advance of his/her journey,

by telephoning the local Bus Éireann travel centre. In this way customers know if a wheelchair space is available and Bus Éireann can make the necessary arrangements to remove two seats from the coach to accommodate the wheelchair user on the vehicle. This reservation system is a common practice across other EU countries.

“Bus Éireann has already met its target of 100% accessible city services in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway” LD/LE Double Deck Coaches: On some routes Bus Éireann operates the LD double deck coaches. This double deck coach is a front entrance door accessible coach, with the wheelchair coming in through the entrance door, down the aisle and is parked/restrained, facing forward, in the area immediately behind the front wheel arch on the left side of the coach (in a similar area to city buses but facing in the opposite direction).

The main difference between the LD and the city bus is that, normally on the LD, there are two sets of facing seats in the wheelchair position that have to be removed prior to the coach being sent out with a wheelchair passenger booking.

These are the removable seats that create the wheelchair space. On the floor you will see the aluminium tracking profiles into which the seats are fixed. These profiles are also used to mount the fixing points for the wheelchair restraint kit when the seats have been taken out.

On city buses the wheelchair area is kept free and, in normal use, allows standing passengers to occupy the space when there is no wheelchair onboard. All coaches (including the LD) are not legally allowed (due to their higher operating speeds) to carry standing passengers and so, to maximise the availability of seats for all passengers, four seats are fixed into the wheelchair area when there is no wheelchair passenger booking on the service.

Also, seatbelts are not a mandatory requirement on city buses and the wheelchair itself does not have to be restrained, nor does the wheelchair passenger have to use a safety belt on a city bus. However, because the wheelchair is only held by the brakes on the

wheelchair itself, it has to be positioned so that it is facing the rear of the bus with the back of the wheelchair up against a cushioned pad. The city bus also has to have either a hand pole or a drop down arm located between it and the aisle.

On the LD (and all coaches), as it is a higher speed vehicle, the wheelchair is required to be positioned facing forward and be restrained securely into the floor of the coach. The wheelchair passenger is also required to wear a safety belt in transit.

Wheelchair Space on Board Vehicles The wheelchair spaces on board buses and coaches allow a floor space of 1,200mm (length) by 700mm (width) in which to accommodate a wheelchair. The wheelchair accessible coaches in the Bus Éireann fleet are fitted with a hydraulic wheelchair lift that has a safe working load of 300kg. It is important to note that the weight to be lifted include the wheelchair, its occupant and any other baggage to be lifted.

Bus Stops The ownership and responsibility for bus stops rests with the Local Authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

However, Bus Éireann actively worked with the Department of Transport, the Quality Bus Network, the National Disability Authority and other stakeholders to achieve the required changes in bus stop layout. The new bus stop layouts will facilitate our customers being collected and delivered at these designated bus stops in a safe manner. The design for the new bus stop layouts is with the relevant local authorities for future bus stop development.

Mobility Scooters Mobility scooters are designed to provide outdoor mobility as an alternative to other forms of private and public transport.

They are primarily designed to be used on pavements and roads and are not designed to be carried on public transport vehicles. As a result they can be large, heavy and/or difficult to manoeuver, and cannot easily be transported in vehicles.

As a result of the information above it is our policy not to carry mobility scooters based on health and safety reasons relating to their size, weight, fuel and restraint requirements.

Training All Bus Éireann drivers receive disability training as part of their CPC training. All five modules cover disability training with the module “Professional Bus Driver” paying particular focus to disability training. Bus Éireann is currently providing this module to all drivers, many of whom will be doing it for a second time. Road Passenger Drivers who operate on the designated wheelchair accessible routes are provided with further training in the clamping and restraint mechanisms necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle and the operation of the lift by which wheelchair users board the vehicles.

Experience has shown us that it is impractical to train all drivers at once as we have found that if they are not operating the mechanisms regularly they can forget how to use it. For this reason we train all drivers on the particular route as the route becomes operationally accessible.

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BROADSTONE Open House

Picture by Martina McGilloway

Over 1,000 people visited Broadstone, Midland & Great Western Railway Station during Open House Weekend in October 2014 Open House Dublin is a unique event, presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation. From 17 to 19 October over 100 tours, events and workshops invite you to explore the rich architecture of Dublin.

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Broadstone, Midland & Great Western Railway Station participated in this event on the 18th and 19th October when over a 1,000 visitors toured the premises over the two days.

Broadstone Station, on an elevated site, was originally built adjacent to the Royal Canal, accessed by a road built by way of an aqueduct. The facade to Constitution Hill spanning five wide bays is clad in granite with blunt, bold ornament. The front building, known as the Director’s

House, was constructed to accommodate the railway company offices and to screen the passenger shed to the rear. A cab shed was added later in 1860.

Broadstone harbour’s location was chosen for its proximity to the markets and the law courts. Colton Street was the preferred site, but high land prices and objections from local residents forced its relocation to Broadstone. The Kings Inns, designed by James Gandon, was built opposite the harbour and, like the Four

Courts and Custom House, was designed with its frontage on a waterfront. By 1807 a regular passage boat service was operating to Mullingar.

In 1845 the Midland and Great Western Railway Company (MGWR) purchased the Royal Canal Company as they wanted to run their new railway to Mullingar on the land alongside the canal. Their new headquarters and railway terminus at Broadstone Harbour was completed in 1850. This imposing building, designed

by John Skipton Mulvany (1813-1870), was built overlooking the harbour. A pontoon bridge across the canal gave access to the station. The MGWR soon lost interest in the canal business and in 1877 they received powers to close 150 yards of the branch and to fill in the harbour, which they did to construct a new forecourt for the station. That removed the need for the pontoon, and a new approach road, Western Way was built by way of the aqueduct. A new quay and stores were to be built on the other side of the aqueduct but that never happened and, with Spencer Dock operational since 1873, boats gradually stopped using the branch. In 1956 the final stretch of water from the North Circular Road, behind Mountjoy Jail was filled in. In 1924 the MGWR amalgamated with its rival, the Great Southern and Western Railway. Subsequent rationalisation saw Broadstone as a maintenance depot, with passenger services withdrawn in 1937.

All steam locomotives were transferred there in 1954, but when steam locomotion ended in 1961, Broadstone was closed.

avoid the inconvenience and possible dangers of changing rails as hitherto in leaving or arriving the trains were compelled to do, the platforms have been altered from one side of the building to the other. The south-west will, in future, be the departure side, the north-east the arrival; the travellers leaving Dublin passing the front of the terminus and reach this platform by a handsome colonnade, supported with metal pillars, and through a spacious ticket office.

On this the departure platform will now be found with waiting rooms and in an additional storey the offices of the traffic manager, engineer, the auditor, also spare rooms, suitable for branch company’s uses, all to the number of nine, opening on a corridor 300 feet in length.”

Broadstone Ceiling and Balcony “On the opposite side the arrival platform has been formed. It opens on a magnificent colonnade, about fifty feet in width by 600 feet in length. This is appropriated to vehicles of every description, which can leave its enclosure with the utmost celerity. The alterations are decided improvements. They have, we understand, been carried out under the supervision of Mr. C. Wilkinson, of Westland-Row. The interior of the station is being further beautified by the painting in bright colours of the roof, pillars and delicate iron work of the spacious and graceful shed – the building, altogether, presenting a railway terminus in every way worthy of a great and enterprising company”.

This is the most monumental of the four railway termini of Dublin and now no longer used as a railway station. In fact it is not even connected to the rail network and its forecourt is a surface carpark.

Sited on a hill, its most dramatic feature is its railway shed with its huge colonnade of columns. The station was designed in an austere neo-egyptian style and constructed of granite. The original railway shed roof designed by Richard Turner proved to be too ambitious for the span and was replaced after it collapsed in the early 1850s.

Originally there was a canal spur from the Royal Canal to a basin in front of the station.

Just eleven years after the station was built extensive alterations were made to the terminus, including the erection of the beautiful colonnade.

As the “Freeman” newspaper stated: “Today or tomorrow the alterations which have been for some months in course of preparation, come into effect at Broadstone Terminus. To

The Great War 1914-1918, in memory of the members of the Staff of the Midland Great Western Railway who fell.

JOHN SKIPTON MULVANY (1813 to 1870) Architect, of Dublin, John Skipton Mulvany was born in 1813, the fourth son of the landscape and figure painter Thomas James Mulvany by his wife, Mary, daughter of Dr Cyrus Field, and a younger brother of William Thomas Mulvany.

He received his professional training with William Deane Butler. His father, a friend and biographer of James Gandon, had by this time been appointed Keeper of the Royal Hibernian Academy’s house in Lower Abbey Street. It was presumably on account of his father’s position and connections that, according to his obituarist in the Irish Builder, John, while still very young, was ‘taken in hand by some of the first nobility and commercial men in Ireland’. He had established himself in private practice by 1836. In this year he received the commission to design an extension to the hotel at Salthill, Monkstown, for the Dublin & Kingstown Railway Company, and between 1837 and 1841 he designed stations at Salthill, Blackrock and Kingstown for the same company.

He was later to be appointed architect to the Midland Great Western Railway Company, incorporated in 1845, at a salary of £450 per annum and to the Dublin Trunk Connecting Line. He was also architect to the Dublin Board of Superintendence of City Prisons. Many of his important domestic commissions came from members of the Malcomson family of Portlaw, for whom he designed several houses in Portlaw and elsewhere. Another transport enterprise which Mulvany was involved was the Dublin & Kingstown Steam Packet Company, of which he was elected a director early in 1863. He wrote over the signature ‘M’ in the Dublin Monthly Magazine for 1842.

He died at the age of 57, after a short illness, which was diagnosed as cirrhosis, in 1870.

At the time of his death he was described as ‘one of the most extensively employed practitioners in Ireland’. The architect Albert Edward Murray remembered him as ‘a prodigious smoker of cigars, and very fond of hunting’. He was married briefly to Eleanor Burke, who died of consumption in 1852 at the age of 25 and had no children.

Among Irish architects Mulvany was singled out for praise by Albert Edward Richardson in his Monumental Classic Architecture in Great Britain and Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries (1914). ‘If any building expressed the character of its purpose’, Richardson wrote of Broadstone station, ‘it is this magnificent terminus, which so well illustrates the application of the monumental manner in a spirit of modernity’.

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NEW VEHICLES As part of the process of continual fleet regeneration, seventyseven new vehicles are currently in build for Bus Éireann.

These will consist of twenty SE-type vehicles for Expressway and fifty-seven for PSO comprising twenty-five double deck buses, twenty single deck coaches and twelve double deck coaches. All of these will meet Euro VI emissions legislation, and will be delivered with wi-fi, AVL, CCTV and telematics systems.

The SE coaches will follow the specification of SE 1-20, with a number of enhancements including a lane departure warning system, a toilet compartment at the emergency door stairwell, and full leather passenger seats with all-age seat belts, a retractable coat hook and tray tables. Additionally there are power sockets at each seating row.

The vehicles delivered for PSO service will be Scania Irizar Centurys (SC 326-345), Volvo Wrights B5TL Gemini (VWD 21-45) and VDL Synergy (LD 301-312). All will feature semileather passenger seat coverings; furthermore the coaches will be fitted with all-age seatbelts and power sockets for passengers throughout.

SC 326-345 are 12.4m Centurys, equipped with Scania 9 litre engines and ZF automatic gearboxes. Euro VI will be reached using SCR technology calling for Adblue. Body and interior of these vehicles will follow SC 301-325, where reversing sensors have also been incorporated.

VWD 21-45 are an upgrade of VWD 1-20 already in service, with similar length and passenger capacity. They are powered by Volvo’s latest D5K Euro VI engine producing 240hp through a ZF automatic gearbox.

Visually they will be differentiated from earlier VWDs by Wrights’ revised roofline and rear dome.

LD 301-312 are VDL Synergy vehicles powered by a Daf 13-litre Euro VI engine through a ZF As-Tronic gearbox. As these vehicles are 14.1m long, matching the LE-class, passenger capacity will accordingly be 82. Seating trims and interior colours will be consistent with those fitted to the Century.

The Scania and Volvo vehicles will be delivered in the first quarter of 2015. Owing to the long build times of double-deck coaches, the VDLs will follow during the second quarter.

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Discover the Wild Atlantic Way with Bus Éireann

There are many beautiful places to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way, but here are some highlights:

Holidaymakers can savour the splendour of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way with significant savings using Bus Éireann’s Expressway, rural, and city services.

Bus Éireann are the only public bus company that provides customers with a choice of frequent services along the West, SouthWest and North-West coastal routes. Many of these services are featured as recommended itineraries in a helpful new Wild Atlantic Way customer information guide, which can be found at our travel centres.

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first longdistance scenic driving route, connecting the stunning views and pretty towns that the western seaboard of Ireland has to offer.

These stretch from the tip of Donegal’s rugged coast to Kinsale in County Cork.

Customers can travel with Bus Éireann on this epic journey along 2,500km of Ireland’s western seaboard.

With spectacular views of the coast, tranquil surroundings and natural amenities, this breath-taking route is not to be missed.

While travelling with us, customers can sit back, relax and embrace the unspoilt landscape and overwhelming views of Ireland’s western seaboard without distractions, or worrying about directions.

Customers who want to experience a hop on/hop off travelling adventure can buy our Open Road ticket, which allows them to create their own itinerary/adventure along the Wild Atlantic Way. Ticket prices start from €57 for 3 days of unlimited travel out of six consecutive days, across our nationwide network of services Customers can extend the Open Road Hop on/Hop off Bus Pass by purchasing extra “stamps” for only €16.00 per day.

Pictured (l-r), Rory Leahy, Regional Manager, Bus Éireann, Sligo, Marie King McGovern, Bus Éireann, Ryan Tubridy from RTE 2FM, Bus Éireann Drivers Marian Clarke and Pat O’Malley and Jackie Clarke, Fáilte Ireland, launching Wild Atlantic Way Bus Éireann trails brochure.

Bus Éireann provides the most comprehensive network of services for people travelling around the Wild Atlantic Way. We offer various direct routes from a wide range of locations, as well as connecting services from around the country via our national network.

“Visitors from both Ireland and abroad can sit back, relax and enjoy visiting some of Ireland’s hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way with Bus Éireann,” said Rory Leahy, Regional Manager, North-West, Bus Éireann.

Route 490 in Donegal includes the Slieve League Sea Cliffs, which are Ireland’s highest sea cliffs at 600m (1968 feet). This route also continues on to the Glencolmcille Folk Village, situated in the Gaeltacht area of South West Donegal. Here people will see the social life of Ireland during the 17th-19th century.

Route 64/480 towards Mullaghmore Head is where surfing records are broken, so if you’re a surfer this stop is not to be missed.

Route 445 to Downpatrick Head remains a pilgrimage site due to its namesake – Saint Patrick. Ruins mark the site where Ireland’s patron saint is said to have founded a church.

Mass is held here every year on the last Sunday in July.

Route 440 travels towards Keem Strand on Achill Island. Following the island signposts you come across to Keem Bay, which gazes out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Mayo is known for its Blue Flag Beaches so if you’re into swimming and relaxing, this is the place for you.

Route 350 travels to the Cliffs of Moher. These County Clare goliaths rise above the ocean at Hag’s Head and continue on for eight kilometres, reaching a height of 214m (702 feet). These famous cliffs have featured in films such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the HalfBlood prince.

Route 276 to Blasket Sound is where the film Ryan’s Daughter was shot. Don’t miss a walk along Coumeenole Beach, with its little rock pools, tiny caves and surging blue Atlantic Ocean. The views of the deserted Blasket Islands are great from the beach.

Route 226/226A towards Old Head of Kinsale has many strings to its bow, with all the fresh produce in the local restaurants, the rich history of Charles Fort and the excellent fishing charters available. To the west of the town is another of Kinsale’s treasures, waiting to be discovered: The Old Head of Kinsale. People will be blown away by the spectacular coastal walks, with ruined forts, lighthouses and tales of shipwrecks, there’s plenty to discover.

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Southwest

2014 proved to be another busy year in the Southwest. We saw a number of significant network changes come into effect.

Re-development of Colbert station This May saw the welcome announcement from Minister Kelly about the multi-million development of Colbert station into a modern integrated high quality public transport interchange. We are currently awaiting a final decision on planning however it is hoped that work on the Public Plaza will commence in the first quarter of 2014.

Route 350 11th May – new timetable came into effect operating from Ennis to Galway via Cliffs of Moher and Doolin. This was launched by Minister Pascal O Donoghue at the Cliffs of Moher and the route itself has proved very popular as an ideal way to explore a large portion of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Route 343 A new revised timetable came into effect on 29th June this year - this involved the amalgamation of route 343 Limerick-Shannon and 344 Shannon-Ennis - The route itself has benefitted from the increased activity at Shannon Airport associated with the additional number of Ryanair flights now operating to the Region.

Limerick City of Culture - “Grannys Visit” Many key events in Limerick throughout the year centred around celebrations associated with Limericks Designation as City or Culture 2014. The flagship event was Royal De Luxe visit of the “Granny” to Limerick the weekend of the 5th-7th September. The sun shone brightly all weekend as over 230k visitors came to see this truly spectacular event.

Pictured from l to r, Anne Marie Mannix; Lorraine O’Rahilly; Inspector Ger Doran; Helen Bresnan; Rory Moylan; Ailish Ryan – Regional Personnel Manager; P.J. Hogan

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December 2014

Route x12 Sunday the 14th September saw further network changes this time on the Limerick-Dublin corridor. The new timetable saw the introduction of a limited stop service on the route operating between Limerick- UL- Nenagh-Roscrea-Portlaoise-Dublin Airport.

To celebrate the launch we offered a special fare of €9 single from Limerick to Dublin that proved very popular

Green Schools Initiative As part of Bus Éireann’s ongoing support to the Community, Bus Éireann in conjunction with Smarter Travel again supported the Green School initiative. Bus Éireann provided a bus and Supervisor to take school children from the local school on a trip around the city. The Gardai were also involved and the focus of the event was on promoting public transport and also featured discussions on safety. Pictured, Inspector Ger Doran.

The Kingdom As well as it being another busy tourist season in Kerry with large crowds travelling to the popular destinations of Killarney, Kenmare, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Carherciveen etc – it was the year when the Kerry men brought the “Sam Maguire Cup” back to the Kingdom.

Bus Éireann joined in the homecoming celebrations by providing the “open-top bus” for the parade.

Like many of the previous years - 2014 also saw many challenges.

A sincere thanks to all staff in the Operations and Maintenance departments for ensuring our buses were safe out on the road and services were delivered to our customers in a professional manner.

To all the School Transport staff in the region who faced an extremely difficult and challenging few months - your professionalism, commitment and resilience is to be commended and your hard work greatly appreciated.

I have no doubt we will have to face many further challenges ahead in 2015 but with your continued hard-work and commitment – we can work through these together.

Wishing you and all your families a very Happy Christmas and every good wish for 2015 Miriam Flynn Regional Manager (Southwest)

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December 2014

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connected

Customers

Brenda Dennehy - Message 23 October at 10:44

John McCabe - Comment 20 October at 00:44

Hi, I was wondering are ye doing Late Night Services from the city centre to Carrigaline for the Jazz Weekend here in Cork like previous years? Regards Brenda

I’ve taken the 133 bus from wicklow to Dublin and back plenty of times and find it to be quite a pleasant journey...

The drivers are mostly pleasant and courteous and the bus is comfortable and warm...

Bus Éireann 23 October at 13:34 Hi Brenda, Please see attached link for the Jazz weekend http://www. buseireann.ie/news. php?id=1606&month=Oct Brenda Dennehy - Message 23 October at 15:58 Thanks a mill. It’s a great service. Brenda

Donna Stakem - Comment 12 October at 10:23 Just want to say that the security guard working at 6am this morning in Bus Aras and driver of the 22 bus to Ballina at 7am are great assets to your company.

Mary Noone - Comment 30 September at 19:00 Bus Eireann is. a very. good service

Mark O Connor - Comment 22 October at 00:30 I have used the BE service Dublin to Cork twice in recent times. Left bang on time, bus’s spotless, booked on line with no problems, arrived on time. Well done BE.

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Linda Lawlor - Comment 29 September at 22:07 It is a good service.

December 2014

Tony Mulgrew, Road Passenger Inspector Sligo received kind words:

G

ood morning I’m writing this to let you know about the wonderful staff you have in Sligo. Myself and my two children travelled from London to Knock on Tuesday. In the course of our journey my young son lost his bear, this bear is not just any bear, he has accompanied my son to theatre from when he was two years old and undergoing general anaesthetic which he did every three months until he was six years old. We discovered the bear missing when we boarded the bus for Sligo and got off immediately taking our bags. I told your driver we had lost a bear and had to return to the airport your driver went out of his way to check if we found the bear and apologised for having to leave he was so nice I would have thought he would have just driven off. We couldn’t find the bear Nosey and my son was distraught we left the airport to get the next bus home to Sligo.

The next driver saw how upset my son was and asked what happened we told him and said maybe the bear was dropped on the first bus as there were a lot of people and we had moved seats. He rang the depot and told the inspector Nosey may have been dropped on the first bus. He said on return to the depot for us to come with him to the Inspector which we did the Inspector whose name is Tony took the details and left a message on the voice mail of the driver who was then driving the bus on to Derry.

Yesterday morning I rang Tony and explained how important Nosey is to my son Calvin, Tony said the bus had been checked and cleaned in Derry and no bear was found he knew how upset I was and said he would check the bus when it arrived in Sligo which he did and rang me to say the bear was not found. I had contacted lost and found in the airport again to no avail they emailed no bear was found. Tony rang again to say he had also phoned the airport but they just asked for a description of the bear and gave him no information he advised me to ring the airport again that they could look at their cctv and know if my son had the bear on leaving the airport I thanked him for his genuine concern and took his advice.

Having already been in touch with Ryanair in Dublin and Luton and with Knock airport I felt there were no avenues left to me but as Tony said I had nothing to lose so I again rang the airport to find they had the bear and boy and bear were reunited within a couple of hours. Tony the inspector and both of his drivers had pulled out all the stops and gone that extra mile to have a young boy he is now nine reunited with his lost bear. I couldn’t let this go without letting the company that employs such wonderful people know the great work and customer relations carried out by their staff for no reward other than doing a good deed. Staff of Sligo depot you are greatly appreciated!

Many thanks from

Calvin and Ann Marie Cawley.

O

n Sept 14th my sister and I were on a trip to Knock when a family emergency occurred. The driver of the Claremorris-Galway bus was most helpful in getting us back to Galway. Again in Galway the employees were very accommodating and ensured that we got a connecting bus to Limerick.

I wish to express my gratitude to those employees, their concern and help on that day was very appreciated.

Noreen Cooney

D

ear Mr. Connolly, May I congratulate you on your bus route 409. When I visit my grandmother we travel on this route and the service is run very well – it is a great service.

Thank you from Nan and myself,

M

Teresa Kelly.

y wife was travelling home on the 402 bus last week. In the Kingston area an elderly lady got off the bus – my wife noted she was quite confused and was in real danger with all the traffic. However, the bus driver got out of his cab – composed her and brought her across the road. This was a real act of humanitarianism and he should be congratulated on same. I believe his name may be Anthony Concannon, but not sure. I too find the drivers most caring.

T. MacCarthy O’Shea.

Staff

connections…

Health and Wellbeing The Influenza Vaccine The Influenza Vaccine will be made available free of charge at the Medical Department. Contact the Occupational Health Unit for an appointment.

The influenza Vaccine is recommended for those people who have chronic medical problems such as lung, heart, kidney disorders and other illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.

Please note that the influenza Vaccine is a perfectly safe vaccine and does not give people the flu.

Congratulations Nuala Houlihan, Payroll Dept, Capwell on receiving her watch to mark her 25 year anniversary with Bus Éireann.

Happy 50th Birthday to Mary Condon, Regional Personnel Manager, Cork.

Happy 40th Birthday to Catherine Keating, Operations Support Office, Capwell.

Congratulations to Pat O’Hanlon our A/ Chief Inspector, Cork, who also turned 40.

Bonny Babies Congratulations to Karl Wilkes, Information Technology Assistant Manager, Broadstone, and his wife on the birth of their beautiful baby girl.

Congratulations to Sarah McCarthy, Cash Office, Capwell on the recent birth of her baby boy Daire.

Congratulations to Francis Donoher, AVL, on the birth of his beautiful daughter Hollie.

Welcome A very warm welcome to Geraldine Maye who has taken on the role of personal assistant to Andrea Keane, Chief Financial Officer.

Transfers Eastern Regional Drivers Chris Quinn and Thomas Gallagher transferring to Sligo and Driver V. Kailins transferring to Galway.

Promotions Congratulations to:

Amanda Wyer, School Transport Ballina on her recent promotion.

Stephanie Ryan on her appointment as Regional School Transport Manager, Southwest.

Charity Well done to all staff who participated in fundraising on Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon and who later participated in The Ice Bucket Challenge.

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Western Region:

North Western Region:

Staff

connections…

Retirements Best wishes to the following staff who have retired in 2014:

Michael O’Carroll, Regional Engineer West (left) who recently retired after 36 years service with Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West.

Road Passenger Driver Joe Egan, Sligo (left) with Marion Clarke on his retirement.

Eastern Region: Inspector Patrick Ferrigan, Inspector Andrew Farrell and Driver Eddie Conway who recently retired from the Eastern Region.

Best wishes to Driver John Trowell (left), Galway with Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West.

Services Manager, James Flannery who retired on 30th September last after 40 years service.

Inspector Paddy Harte (pictured r) on his retirement with Joe Kenny, Regional Manager East.

Southern Region: Marie Kelleher who recently retired from the School Transport Office in Cork.

Driver Denis Crowley, Cork on his recent retirement. From l-r, Martin Walsh, Denis Crowley, Joe Fitzgerald and Mary Condon.

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Driver Paddy Gannon, Galway (left) being presented with a hurley on his retirement by Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West.

Retirement Driver Alphie Gregg (centre), Sligo.

Inspector Frank Phillips, Galway (left) on his retirement with Stephen Duane, Services Manager, Western Region.

Retirement of Isabella Kelly (r) Travel Centre with Rory Leahy, Regional Manager North West.

Service Awards

Safe Driving Awards

Driver Diarmuid Lally (left) presented with his Safe Driving Awards 15yrs with Joe Kenny, Regional Manager, East.

Driver Owen Connell (left) presented with his Safe Driving Award 30yrs by Joe Kenny , Regional Manager, East.

Driver Terrence McWilliams (left) being presented with his 25 years service watch with Brian Connolly, Regional Manager, West.

Driver Seamus Byrne (left) presented with his Safe Driving Award 30 yrs by Joe Kenny , Regional Manger, East.

Driver J Lundy (left) presented with his Safe Driving Award 10 yrs by Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West.

Inspector Donal Foley (left), Galway receiving his 25 years Service Watch with Brian Connolly, Regional Manager, West.

Tralee native Geoff Cotter, who now lives in Convoy, drives for Bus Éireann and has the unenvious task of taking bus loads of supporters from Letterkenny to Dublin next weekend.

Geoff is married to local woman Jo (nee Cowan) and they live with their two sons, Isaac (3) and Sam (1), within a stone’s throw of the Donegal GAA Centre of Excellence, just outside the village.

He’ll be driving Donegal Fans mad!

By Cronan Scanlon, Donegal News (reprint from September 2014).

T

here was great excitement in Donegal in the lead up to the all-Ireland final this year, unfortunately they were not so successful.

Kerryman Geoff Cotter who drives the Letterkenny-Dublin service was hoping for a Kerry win in the All-Ireland senior football final but his colleague Francis McDevitt had other ideas.

He has been living in Donegal for the past seven years and, like any Kerry man worth his salt, is confident that Sam Maguire will be making the familiar journey back to the Kingdom on Monday week.

Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday (Thursday), Geoff said he’s so confident that he’s

even going to wear his wellworn Kerry jersey behind the wheel.

“I haven’t been getting much stick at home yet, but I do plan to be proudly wearing my Kerry jersey when the Donegal supporters are getting on the bus,” he laughed.

Meanwhile, staunch Donegal supporter and Bus Éireann manager in Stranorlar, John James McLoughlin, confirmed that it could be double trouble for Geoff next weekend.

“Such will be the demand next weekend that we will have three times as many busses on as normal, including double deckers based in Letterkenny and Donegal Town” he said.

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Connected Crossword Clues Across 1.

10.

12.

13.

14.

16.

18.

And 1 Down. He came into his own ‘one foggy Christmas Eve’ (7,3,3-5,8) ‘Oink’ is the sound it makes (3) Host city of the 2016 Olympic Games (3) Apparatus for burning industrial waste (11) This country celebrates Thanksgiving Day in the month before Christmas (3) Gwyneth Paltrow stars in a film version of this Jane Austen novel (4) Santa Claus leaves these under the Christmas tree (8)

19. This hour is supposedly just before the dawn (7) 20. See 4 Down 23. Informal alliance between countries (7) 25. Young cat (6) 28. ‘Twelve Days Of Christmas’ quartet (4,7,5) 31. On a Christmas cake this is decorated with festive ornaments (5) 32. Person who lives somewhere permanently (8) 33. Branched horn on 1 Across (6) 34. Sum of money placed in a bank account (7)

Down 1. See 1 Across 2. Bells, candles, wreaths and angels (11) 3. Christmas light (7) 4. And 20 Across. Christmas carol with the line ‘Peace on earth and mercy mild’ (4,3,6,6) 5. Nazi leader (6) 6. Beef cooked so that the inside is still red (4) 7. Noisy Christmas present (4) 8. Eggs (3) 9. Large jug with a wide mouth (4) 10. Very popular Christmas plants with scarlet leaves (11) 11. In ‘A Christmas Carol’, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ______ of Christmas Yet To Come (5) 12. Christmas flower (4) 15. Nicholas is the ______ associated with Christmas (5) 17. ‘It Came Upon The _____ Clear’, a popular Christmas carol (8) 18. Orchestral opening to an opera (7) 21. Its countries include Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Egypt (6) 22. Take part in a winter sport (3) 24. Involuntary facial movement (3) 26. ‘Silent _____’, the carol sung simultaneously by French, British and German troops during the Christmas truce of 1914 (5) 27. Musical note lowered a semitone below natural pitch (4) 29. Colour of Santa’s costume (3) 30. Hazard on winter roads (3) 31. Small, mischievous devil (3)

PRIZE: €50 Voucher for Easons Send Answers to: The Editor, BÉ connected, Room 6, Bus Éireann, Broadstone, Dublin 7.

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Closing date: 19th January 2015

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Name:

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Address:

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Employee: Staff Number:

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Depot:

Painting Competition

Paint in and send to: The Editor, BÉ connected, Room 6, Bus Éireann, Broadstone, Dublin 7.

PRIZE: 5 lucky winners will win a €25 Voucher for Easons Closing date: 19th January 2015

Name: Age: Address:

Employee: Staff Number: Depot:

BÉ connected | Issue 1 |

December 2014

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NETWORK MAP

Also includes Ulsterbus Goldline Network

Coolaney

475

175

475

65 182 100

175 182

182

468 65 468

190

65

190

189 189

190

65

65

Bus Éireann / Eurolines Coach & Ferry Service To / From Britain and Europe.

65 x8

65 65

350 350

x8

350

x8

Feakle 350

350

x8

350

x8

Doonbeg x8

x8

x8

Bus Éireann / Eurolines Coach & Ferry Service To / From Britain and Europe.

x8

x8 243

243 243 257

257

x8 257

233

235 235

248

233

282

KEY Numbers shown beside routes refer to table numbers in the Bus Éireann National Timetable. Where a is underlined e.g. 132 the service runs less than 5days a week. Where a number is boxed e.g. 44 the service operates for the summer period only. See relevant table for exact dates.

To aid clarity, certain local bus services operated by Bus Éireann have been omitted from this network map.

Full details of all Bus Éireann Services are given in the National Timetable.

All locations served are listed in the index at the front of the timetable.

© Bus Éireann May 2014

email: info@buseireann.ie

Bus Éireann Expressway Coach Service - year Round Bus Éireann Expressway Coach Service - Summer Only Note: Expressway Services stop only at locations listed in the relevant section of the timetable

Bus Éireann Local Bus Service - Year Round Bus Éireann Local Bus Services - Summer Only Note: Local Bus Services stop on request at all points on route

Expressway Service - Operated in conjunction with Ulsterbus Ulsterbus Goldline Service - Tel: +44 (028) 90 66 66 30 Note: Ulsterbus also operate an extensive network of local bus services in Northern Ireland

Newgrange

Bus Éireann Day Tour Destination Bus Éireann Local Town and City Service Airports Local Car / Passenger Ferry Northern Ireland Border County Border