Visitor gets run-around from Bus Éireann
One morning I decided to go to Kinsale by bus. I had to get the ticket on the bus. I only had a €50 note, whereas the cost of the two tickets was about €16. The driver told me he didn’t have sufficient change, and I should go to the station at the office where I could get change from an inspector.
I had just three minutes to do this before the bus was due to leave, but the inspector told me he had no change either and that it wasn’t his job. He advised me to ask the driver.
By now I was feeling nervous about the time and tried the shop in the station, which had no change either. Luckily, I eventually found sufficient change to continue my journey.
The second incident concerns a visit to Youghal.
After I arrived there I asked the driver about the bus stop for the return journey. I couldn’t understand his accent, so I asked him to tell me again, but without result.
It was getting dark as I tried to find the bus stop.
After a few minutes I found the stop sign at the side of a park by the Clock Tower, far from the bus shelter.
Since Cork will be the European Capital of Culture in 2005 it might be an idea to start thinking about customer service. As for signs and directions, more clarity would be appreciated by tourists.
However, I would like to finish on a positive note by emphasising that I enjoyed my stay in Cork. I hope to return.
Jean-Marc Bouvier,
Chemin de la Michalette,
38 460 Chozeau,
France.
