Thread by @bamacgabhann

This morning I had a 90 minute meeting with Bláithin McElligott (Limerick Services Manager) and Robert O'Mahony (national Network Manager) of @buseireann, to discuss my #304adventures research and proposals to #FixLimerickBus. We covered a lot, so bear with me. Long thread:

No Leap card tag-on machines.
Although the @Buseireann machines look like those of @dublinbusnews, they have different software and back end office processes. Tag-on machines are not compatible with BÉ's systems. This is very disappointing.

However, they WILL update the current machine software to halve the number of keystrokes the driver needs to make. This will be in place for the start of summer.

The main effort to reduce loading times will be centred on increasing Leap card use (currently 36%), and particularly increasing use of day tickets, weekly tickets etc, which are much quicker with the machines.

They are now considering placing cashless Leap card purchase/top-up machines at key stops in the city, to make Leap cards more accessible.

They are also now considering copying @dublinbusnews Exact Change, No Refunds policy, to further encourage Leap uptake.

Longer term, the NTA is working on a new ticketing system to include mobile payment apps and contactless cards.

The Raheen loop through the housing estates will remain, with new stops added, in particular they are now looking to add a stop opposite Cormac Byrne's. Apparently loops are not best practice. I think this is a mistake, but they won't budge on it.

The route through the city centre on the 304 UL-Raheen WILL change, along the lines of my suggestion, taking into account other data, and city centre redevelopment plans. Raheen bound services will likely not serve Henry St or Debenhams Sarsfield St. after the change.

All new buses WILL have middle doors which will be used. 9 buses currently in the city have these, with more arriving soon. The plan is to roll out consistent use of the double doors once there is enough buses with them to service entire routes.

Some stops are currently unsuitable for middle doors, due to street furniture (signs, bins etc), which @LimerickCouncil needs to work on, and cars parking in bus stops, which we need @GardaTraffic to enforce.

Buses stopping for 5-10 min in William Street is NOT just drivers taking a break, it is Control instructions to reduce bus bunching. It will always be the FOLLOWING bus which pauses, so of there's two, get the front one. It is hoped the new timetable will end the need for this.

The new timetable will take operation from the second week of April. This is based on long-term location and time data (of the kind I collected) and they hope it will accurately reflect actual travel times. Every bus stop will have a specific timetable, at the stop.

Once the new timetable is operating, bigger changes will be brought online over the summer. That will include:

EARLIER AND LATER BUSES, to facilitate those who start work early morning, and social activities in the late evening.

EXTENSION OF ROUTES to Mungret, Parteen, Ardnacrusha.

AUDIO ANNOUNCEMENTS for visibility impaired passengers. This is waiting for re-naming of stops, such as the Xtravision stop near the St Paul's Roundabout.

POSSIBLE FREQUENCY CHANGES, with the 304A a strong candidate for increased services.

Several other changes are dependent on the NTA and Limerick Council.

If you have any questions now, ask away!

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