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PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES are allowed to fill all their seats today for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed that buses, trams and trains will be returning to 100% capacity and that seats will no longer be blocked off to avoid people sitting too close together.
Masks are still a requirement to use public transport, and passengers are being asked to also use hand sanitiser.
Some people believe the time is right (or overdue) to allow transport run at full capacity due to the success of the vaccine rollout, but others think it’s too soon as cases continue to rise once again.
Poll: Are you comfortable getting public transport now it’s back to 100% capacity?
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I know it’s different for trains/Luas/DART but for the love of God can people leave the windows open on the bus! A breeze or bit of cold won’t kill you.
@Sean Ryan: Windows should be opened. Surely there is a device that can prevent closing of windows
@Maurice Frazer: Agree. The problem, as it usually is, is people. Every window on Dublin Bus has a “leave window open” sign. I’ve become “that guy” who goes around the bus muttering and opening every window. I find the muttering a great deterrent of people asking questions!
@Sean Ryan: I gave you a wave the last day, I was going to offer you a strepsil also but thought better of it, I’ll know for again eh!
@This time its personable!: your kindness is appreciated! :)
@Maurice Frazer: yeah, it’s called a brick
@Maurice Frazer: if you go to your settings, system, power and sleep and change the timings for sleep or shut down you can essentially leave them open forever that way if you want.
Minister Ryan was anxious to get public transport back to full capacity , now I’m worried , Green agenda over public health clueless , confined space with the Delta variant rampant another window box vegatable flash of clueless logic
@Willie Bill Bryan: And soon you’ll be writing “confined space with the ‘MU’ variant”. Where does it end for you
There’s no social distance at the house parties all over the place, no masks in restaurants and pubs, So why not public transport at full capacity with masks and ventilation
What would make you happy? No coronavirus? It’s not possible
@Willie Bill Bryan: In fairness I wouldn’t blame him, traffic is back as bad as it ever was, and god love us all next week when all of the school’s go back? So much for working from home been the new norm, as I honestly don’t see any difference in the traffic prior to Covid.
@The Firestarter: the problem being people are still driving their kids to school. They could well be going home to work but they’re still dropping their kids off. The real test is the 5 to 7 in the evening rush hour, that’ll show how many people are actually back in the office.
If it was just a train with everyone seated and aisles clear I don’t think I would have an issue. The reality is that commuter and Dart trains looked like something coming from Calcutta pre Covid. Granted with the blended approach there will hopefully be less people using the trains but I fear it will be back to being crammed in like sardines fairly quickly!
100% capacity pre-covid was too much. Ever get on a train at commuter time – getting acquainted with someones armpit was fairly grim … especially in those fancy air-con trains, where there isn’t a window to open and the drivers had the heat on full blast.
Public transport needs a major upgrade
@JC: And until the people of ireland realise we need to catch up with the rest of Europe with public transport and make it an election issue, it’ll never happen. And we’ll continue to sit in our cars sitting on the M50 for hours every single f****** day.
I noticed on the dart yesterday that there were no seats blocked off but people still only sat two to every four seats unless they knew each other. I wouldn’t fancy getting a commuter train because there aren’t any windows that you can open for ventilation like you have on the dart or bus.
@Sam Harms: people just close them anyway if there is windows you can open.
There’s no answer for ‘I am never comfortable on public transport’
Well it was 75% (every 3 seats of four) So you were never more than 6
2ft away from multiple people anyways, the only options that make sense are 25% or 100% anything else is unscientific nonsense, not to mention the 9/10 vaccinated adults, compulsory masks and windows open,
Some people won’t be happy until covid is eradicated which the Taoiseach did say yesterday isn’t possible, so I think those people ought to stay home or get over themselves
@David Lee: i totally agree, 75% made little sense unless 100% on the luas means every seat being full plus all the standing room.
I could imagine its riskier when someone’s face is right beside yours while being squashed in.
@David Lee: exactly, those who spread their fear need to leave the rest of us to get on with it
@Francis40Masks: Who’s talking about fear? People enjoyed not being crammed onto a bus!
Good love all those who worked at home having to commute to work. God speed.
On the Luas from Red Cow to town about 6 weeks ago, it was at least 150 percent packed like sardines, no security, I got off at Museum, walked the rest of the way , so hopefully it will go back to 100 percent
I get the Luas into town every Friday from Red Cow, has been jammed everytime all through restrictions so makes no difference to me, nothing has changed.
I’m more worried about the thugs and the “Zoombies” than the virus.
I won’t be using public transport for a while I would be too nervous 100 percent is too much it should stay at 50%
Less capacity on public transport = more full buses.
Maybe capacity could be increased and not just returned to 100%??
Pre covid, the luas was a mess, it was completely overcrowded. Regardless of Covid something needed to change there and hasn’t. I’m all for return to office but don’t see squeezing on to a packed luas with no room to barely stand as a attractive proposition. My feeling is people will walk away from jobs regardless of their position if they are forced back in. It’s ok for those who had setup in the city but for those who have lived in the countryside and supported their companies throughout the pandemic I think the least they deserve is a chance to prove out WFH as a long term model. Why drag someone on a 2 or 3 hr commute to sit at a different desk.
The seats were always a little bit hard in my opinion.
Seats need to be 25% more comfy first.
@Biscuits Patinkin: And for that luxury will you pay 25% more for your fare :)
@Jack Burton: I’d consider it if they finally got around to adding footrests!
Oh the virus on the bus goes
Round and round
Round and round, round n” round
All day looking.
I’m continuing to work from home so it’s not a problem…yet!
Was Red luas subject to restrictions because any time I used from Hueston to city it was jammed both ways
Stay in your Diesel powered car is the message from the ‘green’ gov.
Yes, having had the covid disease, my natural immunity along with a healthy lifestyle should protect me
Anyone who answered yes to this poll, a bit of advice for you! Dont get on a Bus!
Who cares….. if you feel uncomfortable…dont use public transport…..move on
@Aonghus O Flaherty: Some of us don’t have a choice.
I wont be operating my bus at full capacity its not safe, id rather have people moaning that i left them at the bus stop than risk everyone on the bus catching it, also can people keep wearing masks, more and more people getting on the bus with no mask,
The cheek of the government to announce 100% public transport the week the close down the Cork-Dublin C8 route
Nothing to do with fear of COVID more because I liked that some random smelly, leg spreader couldn’t sit next to me!
I’ll get on buses at non peak times , luases are a different story. Got on one two weeks ago and everyone squashed like sardines I got so panicky I had to get off !
Wouldn’t wear a mask for that long.
have your say