User Guide
Everything you need to know to get the most out of DBD — on the Web App or the Android app.
Getting Started
DBD helps you turn your Bus Átha Cliath duty text messages into a clear, organised calendar — with times, breaks, routes, overtime and leave all in one place.
Create your account
Sign in
Open the Web App or the Android app and sign in with Google (or email). The same account works on both.
Add your details (optional)
You can add your staff number and employment start date for personalisation. This is for your reference only.
Add your first duty
You'll land on your calendar. Next, add your duties — see Adding Your Duties below.
Tip
Google sign-in means one less password to remember and a faster sign-in next time.
Two Ways to Use DBD
Pick whichever suits you — your account is the same on both.
Web App — any phone
Works in your browser on iPhone and Android with nothing to install. You paste your duty SMS or assign a duty from the DBD Library, and your data is saved to your account. Open it at dublinbusdriver.ie/app.
Android app — full version
Installed from our Download page. It reads your roster SMS automatically (no pasting), works offline, and updates itself in-app. Best if you're on Android.
Which should I choose?
On an iPhone, use the Web App. On Android, the app is the smoothest experience thanks to automatic SMS import — but the Web App works there too.
Adding Your Duties
Your duties come from the duty text message (SMS) you're sent, and from the shared DBD Library of published duties.
On Android — automatic SMS import
Grant SMS permission
The first time you run the app, allow it to read messages. DBD only looks for your duty texts.
Duties appear automatically
When your duty SMS arrives, DBD reads it and places the duty on the right day — with report/sign-off times and segments filled in from the Library.
Got a correction text?
If you're sent a second or third SMS for the same day, the newest one wins — DBD updates that day to match the latest message.
On the Web App — paste or assign
Paste your SMS
Copy the duty text on your phone, then tap the ＋ button beside the Calendar title. DBD reads it straight from your clipboard and adds the duty — filling in the full details from the Library.
Or assign from the DBD Library
Open the Duties tab, find your duty (search by roster, duty number or route), open it and tap “Assign to my calendar”, then pick the date.
Tip
You can also change or remove a day's duty from the calendar: open the day and use the Duty button to pick a different one from the Library.
The Calendar
The calendar is your home screen. Switch between Week, Month and Year views using the cycle button beside the title.
Colour legend
Duties, rest days, annual leave and diversions are colour-coded. Tap “Colour legend” to see what each colour means.
Day details
Tap any day to expand it: report/sign-off times, each working part, breaks, routes and total hours.
Leave & roster cycle
Annual leave and your rest-day/roster cycle are shown right on the calendar so you can plan ahead.
Badges
Small badges flag things like TFI-matched times. Tap a badge to learn more.
Duty Details & Overtime
Open a day to see the full breakdown of your duty.
What you'll see
- Roster code and duty number
- Report and sign-off times, plus total hours worked
- Each working part and break, with routes and start/finish locations
- TFI scheduled times and margins for passenger segments (where available)
Adding overtime
On a day, tap OT to record overtime. Pick the duty the overtime came from (from the DBD Library on the Web App, or your templates on Android), choose the segments you worked, and DBD adds them to the day and to your stats.
Reporting a problem
If a published duty looks wrong, use the Report button (or the report option in the DBD Library) to tell us what's off. Superusers review reports and fix the Library duty.
The DBD Library
The Duties tab shows the shared DBD Library — a peer-built collection of duties for every garage.
- Search by garage, roster code, duty number or route; results are grouped by garage and zone with day-type badges (M–F / Sat / Sun).
- Open a duty to see its full parts, breaks and times.
- Assign a duty straight to your calendar, or report a problem.
Always current
When a duty is published or corrected on the server, the Library updates automatically — no reinstall needed.
Stats
The Stats tab summarises your work: hours worked, overtime, and patterns across the week, month and year — handy for checking pay and planning time off.
Settings
Open Settings from the menu to customise DBD.
Theme
Light, dark, or match your system.
Calendar preferences
Choose your default view and which badges are shown.
Profile
Staff number, employment start date and shift-cycle settings.
Updates (Android)
The Android app checks for new versions and can download and install them in-app.
Troubleshooting
My duty imported without times/segments
That usually means the duty isn't in the DBD Library yet, so only the roster/number could be read. It will fill in automatically once the duty is published, or you can report it so we can add it.
The Web App shows old content after an update
Do a hard refresh in your browser (or close and reopen the tab). The Web App updates itself, but a stubborn cache sometimes needs one refresh.
"Unable to sign in"
Check your internet connection. With email/password, confirm your details or reset your password from the sign-in screen.
Android app running slowly
Close and reopen the app. If it persists, clear the app cache in your phone settings, or reinstall from the Download page.
Still need help?
If you can't find a solution here, please contact us with as much detail as possible and we'll be happy to help.