Public service not suitable for Ireland's second city.
Let me preface this by saying that my judgement is limited to county Cork, relative to several episodes experienced first-hand. I also stress that I have a fair amount of experience in using public transport in other nations.
The public transport service seems to me to be not up to the standard of what is considered Ireland's second city, because:
- too few journeys; they should increase the frequency of journeys. Just to give some examples seen in the first weeks of stay in Cork (but who knows what else there is), there are lines (e.g. the 245) that regularly have a queue to get on the bus from Cork station! I have waited standing several times for a quarter of an hour or half an hour.... There are lines (such as the 210) that run every 90 minutes (I am talking about the city centre…). Furthermore, it has already happened to me that the full bus did not stop!
- too many delays: there is no point in indicating a timetable when there are so many delays that one no longer looks at the tables and relies on fate;
- there are electronic realtime signs in the city centre, but these are exceptions (perhaps they are mainly urban decorations);
- the indications for bus stops are non-existent, incomprehensible or useless. I would like to be able to orient myself in the lines just by looking at the boards posted on the shelters, without Google Maps or another navigator (as, for example, is possible in London);
- it is not a public service that can be considered for going to work or other important appointments: I have had to cancel appointments because of this. I strongly advise against relying on it, or take it well in advance always ready to call a taxi if it gets bad. It is only suitable for elderly people, students, and those who for other reasons do not have a car, that’s all;
- slow service at the stops (time wasting and boring): in fact, first of all there is only one bus door where you get on and off, so you have to wait every time before getting on until the last person has gotten off! Waiting for passengers to get off may be justifiable in the metro, not in the bus!
Once on board, every time you get on a bus, you have to turn to the driver to tell him where you want to go, or at least to put the card in front of him. Basically the driver also acts as the ticket taker.
- there are no rules for luggage, it depends on the mood of the driver maybe or who knows what (I haven't quite figured it out yet). If you want to carry heavy luggage, you have to hope that the driver wants to open the lower compartment door, otherwise you'll have to carry heavy suitcases into the cabin (I'm talking about the same lines with buses that have lower luggage racks).
- traveling by bus in Cork, despite the general low quality of the service offered, is expensive (much fairer in Dublin!);
-the central station (Parnell Place) is in poor condition, it has a shabby appearance... although considering the service offered I would say that it is a business card consistent with it.
On the POSITIVE side:
- the buses I've seen so far were all clean and modern;
- the drivers in general are courteous and professional, although it is normal to occasionally find rude ones (as almost everywhere);
- customer service works, they answered me several times, but I think they can do up to a certain point. I would like it to be clear that I am not criticizing management: I am not capable of carrying out these analyses. I limit myself to indicating the facts experienced firsthand in the most objective way possible and without other reasons other than to see him improve one day, if possible.
I reiterate that Cork should strengthen and improve its public service because it is not adequate for Ireland's second city.
21 December 2023
Unprompted review