Pre-Christmas trip to the Emerald Isle tracking down disappearing bus types, sampling the latest electric vehicles, riding new routes and saying farewell to some old ones in Dublin.

Dublin Bus

In contrast to London, the main bus operator in the city is the state-owned Dublin Bus, which operates around 90% of services. It has a large fleet of over 1,000 vehicles, running out of 12 garages, the vast majority being double deck.

The oldest types consist of around 20 Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400s (AX class) from 2006 (out of an original fleet of over 600 delivered between 2000 & 2006), 70 Volvo B9TL Enviro400s (EV class) from 2007/8 (out of 100 originally) and 16 Volvo B9TL Enviro500 long wheel base vehicles (VT class) from 2007 (out of 70 delivered). The AXs are now based only at Donnybrook, Harristown and Broadstone Garages, appearing mainly on M-F Peak Hour workings, although a few turn out during the day in ones and twos on certain routes. The EV class are spread over more garages and, for now, are a bit easier to find in all day service. The remaining VT class vehicles are based at Phibsboro Garage and turn out mainly on the trunk 39/39A routes between the City Centre and the Blanchardstown area.

Newer diesels consist of Volvo B9TL Wright Geminis (GT & VG classes) plus Volvo B5TL Wright Geminis (SG class), the latter now being the most numerous type with over 600 in existence, although some have been transferred to Go Ahead Ireland.

Hybrids were never popular with Dublin Bus and only 9 are in the fleet, 3 each of of Enviro400H (AH class), Volvo B5LH (VH class) and Wright StreetDeck HEV (WH class).

The newest types consist of over 200 Enviro400ER City buses (PA class), together with over 100 Wright StreetDeck Electroliners (EW class), the latter having mostly entered service since my last visit in March.

Single deckers are in a minority, with just a couple of Wright StreetLites (WS class) which mainly operate on M-F Peak Hour route 44B which is restricted to such vehicles, plus some new electric BYD Enviro200EVs (EA class) destined for the new orbital route “O” but in the meantime are being used as peak time top-up on certain services.

Most buses in the fleet are now in the TFI (Transport for Ireland) green and yellow livery which is now standard throughout the country, but a minority of vehicles retain the older Dublin Bus two tone blue and yellow scheme, generally the older vehicles which are destined for a short remaining life.

Another class down to small numbers left in service is the Volvo B9TL Enviro500 with 16 left on the books. VT48 is on one of their habitual routes the 39/39A (Ongar - City Centre / UCD) seen here at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre during my rides.

*These long wheelbase vehicles could pack the crowds but were prone to delays due to the time taken for boarding and alighting at busy stops causing late running.*

Go Ahead Ireland

Go Ahead won the tender for 24 former Dublin Bus routes in 2018/19, around 10% of the network and operating in the suburbs rather than to and from the City Centre. Other routes have since been added.

The fleet consists of around 250 vehicles of two types - the largest contingent being Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini double deckers, some of which were SG class examples transferred from Dublin Bus, together with 40 Wright StreetLite single deckers.

Originally, Go Ahead adopted a new livery of light blue, white and duck egg green with yellow front, but all buses are now in the generic TFI green and yellow scheme.

BusConnects

TFI is in the process of rolling out redesigned bus networks in Ireland’s cities, the largest such scheme being in Dublin. This involves a complete replacement of the existing routes with new services on a staged basis, which began in 2021 with Phase 1 and has now reached Phase 6, which was due to be implemented in December 2024 but is now postponed to early 2025. At the current rate, it will take a good 10 years to complete the intended scheme, which is dependent on funding. The aim is to increase the service provided by around 35% on pre-existing levels, but issues such as driver recruitment and new vehicle requirements mean that the roll-out is slow.

The Dublin scheme involves the introduction of various types of new routes:

“Spines” - frequent routes made up of individual services timetabled to interwork along key corridors with different ultimate destinations. These are indicated by a suitable prefix such as H1, H2 and H3 for the Howth Road.
“Orbitals” - services operating around the city through the suburbs, often providing new links that didn’t exist previously. These are denoted by a “N”, “S” or “W” prefix to the route number depending on whether they run on the north, south or west side of Dublin. The east side is the sea!
“Locals” - services providing connections within local areas in the outer suburbs, with an “L” prefix to the route number.
Other City Routes - less frequent services to/from the city centre that are not part of a spine. These retain a simple route number but generally chosen not to conflict with any existing number.
Peak & Express Routes - generally limited journey services offering enhancement and faster services to and from key city destinations, indicated by a “P” or “X” prefix to the number.

Fares & Publicity

Buses in Dublin still accept cash, with fareboxes in operation and tickets issued. Single fares are 2 Euros or 2.60 Euros depending on distance. Credit/Debit Card payment is not available, but credit can be loaded onto TFI’s “Leap” Card which is a a stored value product similar to Oyster in London. Leap Card fares are cheaper to encourage usage, with fares set at 1.50 Euros and 2 Euros, the latter allowing change of bus with no further charge within 90 mins. Day fares are capped at 5.60 Euros for buses and 8 Euros for buses, LUAS trams and local rail. Weekly caps are also in place for regular users.

TFI have been upgrading Bus Stops with line diagrams and stop-specific timetables at many locations. This is an improvement over the former situation where Dublin Bus only showed departure times from terminals, even at intermediate stops! However, the lack of a proper Bus Map covering Dublin remains a serious anomaly and can make understanding the network difficult for the uninitiated.

Go Ahead Ireland operate 40 Wright StreetLite single deckers on Dublin routes. Although I didn’t ride any on this trip, I have chosen fleet no 12140 on the 102 to Sutton Station to illustrate the type. The bus is seen departing the Bus Station at Dublin Airport Terminal 1.

*All Go Ahead Ireland buses used on Dublin City routes are now in the standard TFI green and yellow livery, which applies across the country.*

Now to the bus rides….

Dublin Bus 16: Dublin Airport - Ballinteer (& back to City Centre)

Arriving into Dublin Airport on the Ryanair flight from Stansted, I made my way to the Bus Station adjacent to Terminal 1. Fortunately, bustimes.org covers Dublin Bus and Go Ahead Ireland operations, so I was able to plan my rides and select the exact vehicles on the routes I wanted!

Route 16 links Dublin Airport which is north of the city with the City Centre and then carries on to Ballinteer to the south. Together with Route 41 which also provides Airport - City Centre links, it is due to be replaced by new “A” Spine services in a future phase of BusConnects. However, for now, it is home to some of the remaining AX types and bustimes.org showed a couple of them out together with some EV and GT vehicles. AX635 of Broadstone Garage was on the second departure and fittingly was the bus I rode to the Airport at the end of my previous visit back in March this year. Buses on the 16 of all types generally have luggage racks on the lower deck replacing two rows of seats on the nearside, but are otherwise standard vehicles.

The 16 operates every 12 mins M-S daytimes and every 15 mins eves and Suns and is a busy service, particularly since Dublin Bus withdrew their express services 747 & 748 between the City Centre and the Airport following the pandemic due to low usage, although other operators now provide a partial replacement for a higher fare. A large queue had boarded the previous 16, so it was not too busy on board AX635 as we left the Airport with a typical throaty Volvo roar and onto the Swords Road towards Santry past the industrial and retal parks that characterise the area. From Santry, the 16 describes a dogleg to serve the suburban area of Beaumont, before returning to the main road into the city.

Traffic was heavy as we progressed through Drumcondra and into the centre, where we had a driver change in O’Connell Street, near to the famous Post Office which was the centre of the 1916 Easter Rising and the more recently erected Millenium Spike. Over the River Liffey at O’Connell Bridge to the southside, via College Green and the Bank of Ireland, before proceeding south through the suburbs of Harolds Cross and Rathfarnham to the terminus at Ballinteer. In contrast with the northern section, more local users than airport passengers on board. All in all a long 1h40m run, around 10m late on schedule, although long layovers of 15-20 mins or more are common on Dublin Bus services which help correct late running.

I returned as far as the City Centre by stepping up a working to the bus in front, formed of EV48, one of the Enviro400s still in service. Unlike newer types, both the AX and EV types have only single doors at the front, the others have dual doors which assists with boarding and alighting at busy times. 45 mins on this trip, alighting at College Green near the famous Trinity College Dublin.

Enviro400 EV48 of Broadstone Garage awaits departure from the Ballinteer terminus. AX635 sneaks in behind. The first pick up stop can be seen to the left opposite the stand, the bus circumnavigating a roundabout further down the road to reach it.

*Note that both the EV and the AX behind are single doored unlike newer vehicles which have reverted to dual doors.*

Part Route Dublin Bus C4: Aston Quay - Heuston Station

A short walk brought me to the Liffey, where I boarded PA267, one of the extended range Enviro400 City types, on the C4 at Aston Quay for the short 10 min ride beside the river to Heuston Station, a mile or so west of the centre. A brief trip during which I was able to observe the Guinness Brewery to our left but didn’t have time to stop for a pint!

*Not the one I travelled on, but PA271 of Ringsend Garage illustrates the Enviro400ER City (“Extended Range”) type, as it picks up on the C4 (Ringsend - Maynooth) at Aston Quay in the City Centre.*

*This is the stop where I boarded for my short ride beside the River Liffey to Heuston Station.*

Go Ahead Ireland N2: Heuston Station - Clontarf Road Station

Northern Orbital Route N2 was introduced in November 2024 as a one-off in advance of the next phase of BusConnects, presumably as drivers and vehicles were available. Indeed, Dublin Bus has released a further batch of SG types to Go Ahead now that further EW electrics have entered service to replace them.

The new service describes a large arc from Heuston in the west to Clontarf in the east, covering many previously unserved roads as well as linking up a number of radial routes. I boarded Volvo B5TL 11572, an original Go Ahead example, unlike Dublin Bus no class codes are used. By contrast to the previous rides, which had been very busy, only a handful of takers as we departed along the northern bank of the Liffey, indeed despite passengers on and off in ones and twos, we were barely into double digit usage throughout the trip. Evidently locals still have to get used to the new service and appreciate the links it now provides. Service frequency is every 20 mins M-F daytimes, 15 mins M-F Peaks, 30 mins eves, Sats & Suns.

We soon turned left through the inner city area of Stoneybatter, following radial route 37 for a while. At Cabra, the N2 turns off via existing route 122, but at Broombridge Station comes the first significant new freehold section beside Glasnevin Woods, across the Finglas Road and another new stretch through Whitehall. It then operates via part of the 13 along Griffith Avenue, continuing across the Drumcondra Road round to Marino, where it meets up with the 123. The final leg is down the main road to Clontarf Road Station, where a new terminus has been constructed beside the entrance to the DART Station. Exactly 1 hour end to end.

I boarded the same bus after the layover to return the short distance to Marino, where I alighted at the 123 terminus. The N2 is a useful new service and deserves to succeed, hopefully usage will build up over time.

***Go Ahead Ireland Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 11572 at the new stand beside Clontarf Road Station on Route N2.***

*This northern orbital route between Clontarf & Heuston began in November as the precursor to further changes in Phase 6 of “BusConnects” which have been deferred to early 2025.*

Dublin Bus 123: Marino - Kilnamanagh Road

Back in the 90s, as in London, Dublin Bus had a period of flirtation with midibuses, which operated under the “City Imp” name, using Mercedes midis in a red and yellow livery. These were later replaced with larger WV class Wright Volvo single deckers, until most of their routes went to double deck operation. Many of the original midibus routes were renumbered by the simple expedient of adding a “1” to the beginning of the route number, hence the 21, 22 and 23 became the 121, 122 and 123, the latter two of which still operate today, although the previous numbers were not restored when they were double decked! The 123 runs every 12 mins M-F daytimes, 15 mins Sat daytimes, 20 mins eves & Suns.

The 123 is now one of the homes to the new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners, although with some SGs in support. It was my first encounter with the new class and having let the SG in front go, I boarded EW22 of Summerhill Garage at Marino. All the expected modern features inside, with updated information screens giving route and next stop information, plus seemingly very loud announcements. Slightly higher backed seats and USB ports as on all modern buses here. A smooth ride as to be expected, with rapid acceleration, although the first part of the route through Fairview and Ballybough is characterised by narrow roads, sharp turns and problems with parked cars hindering progress.

Arriving into the City Centre at O’Connell Street, we had a 3 min pause at the next stop, D’Olier Street, due to early running. After this, we became very busy with home-going shoppers and a large group of school students plus teachers, who took an age to board and alight. After serving St James’s Hospital, we hit a traffic wall due to badly phased lights and early rush hour queues. It took about half an hour to cover half a mile!

After nearly losing the will to live, we finally broke free and continued via the estate roads in the Drimnagh area, before returning to the main road at Drimnagh Hospital and on to Walkinstown, ending at Kilnamanagh Road after a 1h 45m journey, some 25 min behind schedule.

Part Route Dublin Bus 27: Walkinstown - City Centre

To end the day, I decided to avoid the traffic problems by taking the direct main road route back to the City Centre. Routes 27 and 77A link Walkinstown to Dublin via Dolphins Barn and I had a short wait for GT65 on the former, a Volvo B9TL of Clontarf Garage, for the 30 min trip. A packed bus, but I found a seat on the top deck.

Arriving in the centre, I made my way to my hotel to freshen up before a good meal and a pint or two of the local ale!

New electric Wright StreetDeck Electroliners have begun entering service this year on various Dublin Bus routes. EW22 of Summerhill Garage lights up the twilight at Marino on the 123 to Walkinstown before my ride on it.

*A Volvo B5TL SG class vehicle is behind on the previous working and left first.*

Part Route Dublin Bus C3: City Centre - Ringsend Garage

Day 2 saw an early start after a hearty Full Irish Breakfast to fortify the inner traveller! I just manage to catch Enviro400ER City PA258 on an inbound C3 from the City Centre to its home garage at Ringsend, just south of the Liffey not far from its mouth. A brief 10 min trip to position me for my first full route of the day.

Dublin Bus 52: Ringsend Garage - Leixlip Intel

The 52 was introduced back in 2021 with Phase 2 of BusConnects, but it was one I had yet to sample. The main “spine” routes between Dublin and the Leixlip / Maynooth area are the C3 and C4, but the 52 operates via the Lucan By-Pass rather than Lucan Village and follows a different rerouteing out of Leixlip to Intel. An hourly service operates daily on the 52, although with a later start on Suns.

I got on SG544 at the first pick up stop after it emerged from Ringsend Garage. A reasonably quiet run as I expected it might be on this secondary route, the C3 and C4 being much busier. We proceeded along the quays to the side of Heuston Station, then along the dual carriageway before reaching the Chapelizod By-Pass, which has two lanes for normal traffic plus a Bus Lane in each direction, served also by the “C” spine services. A storming run to Palmerstown, then calling at the main road stops serving Liffey Valley and the outskirts of Lucan. The rapid progress slowed as we entered Leixlip Village and crossed the narrow bridge over the river with its attractive views and popular local pubs. The final stretch was through estate roads not served by the C3 and we terminated actually within the grounds of the Intel campus, which is home to Ireland’s major microprocessor manufacturing facility. A 1 hour trip in total.

Part Route Dublin Bus C3: Leixlip Intel - Maynooth

Walking to the stop on the main road opposite Intel entrance, I awaited the next C3 towards Maynooth. Whilst there, I was surprised to see an Enviro400 in London red with no destination or number enter the Intel grounds, but with “TC” codes on the side - evidently a former Arriva London T under new ownership in Ireland!

After a 15 min wait, SG214 appeared on the C3 (8 mins late per bustimes.org) and I boarded with a couple of others for the short ride to Maynooth. After a section of green open country, we entered the built up area of Maynooth, where I alighted near the Station. Just a short 10 min ride.

***SG544 of Ringsend Garage on the 52 at Leixlip Intel after my trip on it. This route was introduced as part of Phase 2 of “BusConnects” in 2021 but I had not ridden it until now.***

The vehicle is in the new TFI livery with the small “Operated By Dublin Bus” legend on the side panel below the lower deck windows. Go Ahead Ireland vehicles can be distinguished only by their name in the same position plus the lack of class codes and five digit fleet numbers.

Go Ahead Ireland W6: Maynooth - Tallaght

As part of Phase 5 of BusConnects in 2023, it was intended to introduce a new western orbital route, the W6, linking Maynooth with Tallaght. Unfortunately, a hump-backed bridge over the canal near Hazelhatch was considered unsuitable for buses until road improvements had been made, so two temporary routes were introduced terminating each side of the offending bridge: W61 from Maynooth to Hazelhatch Station and W62 from Newcastle to Tallaght.

Now that the road has been widened on each side of the canal bridge, allowing buses a straight alignment to cross, the intended W6 was finally introduced in November 2024. A 30 min frequency operates daily, although with hourly gaps early and late at weekends. I picked up Go Ahead Ireland’s Volvo B5TL 11514 at Maynooth Station on its short run of just 7 mins to Maynooth Community College, a new section of route serving the Manor Mills Shopping Centre.

After its break at the terminus, I reboarded the same vehicle for the full run over the new route. Once back in Maynooth Town Centre, we followed the main C4 route out of town via country roads to Celbridge. However, although the C4 and W6 both run half hourly, it seems no attempt has been made to ensure an even interval service, as I noted buses on each route running only 3 or 4 mins apart in each direction! From Celbridge, the W6 proceeds via local route L59 to Hazelhatch Station. It was then that we went onto the new section with a long stretch through sparsely populated countryside with farms and cows, which included traversing the infamous canal bridge - a nice spot with a little pub alongside and narrow boats moored in profusion.

At Newcastle, we entered a more built up area and ran for a while in tandem with radial route 69 to/from the City Centre. Then it was through the massive Greenogue Industrial Estate, with a large Amazon depot and various business units generating a lot of traffic, which reduced progress to a crawl for a while until we passed over the main dual carriageway to/from the city. At Saggart, we crossed paths with another radial route, the 68, before the last section via Citywest into Tallaght, although the W6 serves a freehold section between the latter two that other routes do not cover. Arrival at The Square Shopping Centre was after a run of 1h 10m, a few minutes down on schedule.

A useful new route, linking up various western outposts of the Dublin bus network like a wheel around the spokes. Reasonable usage at each end, but very quiet on the middle country section for now.

***Go Ahead Ireland Volvo B5TL 11514 about to depart from Maynooth Community College for Tallaght on the W6.***

When introduced as part of Phase 5A of “Bus Connects” in June 2023, a hump-backed canal bridge prevented operation of this route as a through service, so it was split into temporary routes W61 and W62 running each side of the bridge until roadworks were completed to allow through operation in November 2024.

Go Ahead Ireland W4: Tallaght - Blanchardstown

Another new orbital service from Phase 5 I had yet to cover was the W4, so after grabbing some lunch at The Square Shopping Centre, I sought out the next departure. This was formed by another Volvo B5TL, fleet no 11543, although StreetLites have provided a single deck allocation on occasion. The route runs every 30 mins daily, increasing to every 15 mins in M-F Peaks and dropping to every 60 mins early mornings at weekends.

A busy departure as we made our way out of Tallaght through Citywest the way I had come on the W6 to Citywest, before branching off to connect with the tram at Cheeverstown LUAS stop. Then a fast run on the outer ring road before diverting through Grange Castle Business Park, before rejoining the ring road up through Lucan serving Liffey Valley on the main N4/Lucan Road. We then had a spirited ride along the M50 Motorway, taking the Blanchardstown exit to terminate at the Shopping Centre. A 50 min ride providing a useful, fast and direct link between the two terminals, with reasonable usage.

***Go Ahead Ireland Volvo B5TL 11543 after arrival at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on Route W4 from Tallaght, which includes a fast run on the M50 Motorway.***

*This was another new “BusConnects” Phase 5A route introduced in 2023 which I had yet to sample.*

Dublin Bus 37: Blanchardstown - Wilton Terrace

To return to the City Centre from Blanchardstown, I could have used trunk routes 39/39A, but opted instead for the other service linking the two points, the 37. This runs every 20 mins M-S daytimes, 10 mins M-F Peaks and 30 mins eves & Suns.

The service is mainly operated by SG class diesels out of Broadstone Garage, but I spotted a lone Enviro400ER City on the route, PA141. However, this was running late on its previous trip and despite reduced stand time, was still 15 mins late when we departed. The SG behind us soon caught up and as we made our way through the estate roads around Carpenterstown and Castleknock, we received notice of a short turn to Batchelors Walk, actually on the Quays in the City Centre close to O’Connell Street, rather than running to the normal terminus on the southside at Wilton Terrace. For the rest of the trip, we ran in tandem, leapfrogging between stops, as the drivers “worked the road” between them. After the main road stretch through Cabra, we turned off for the back streets section via Arbour Hill and Stoneybatter down to the Quays beside the Liffey.

At the Batchelors Walk stop, I did a swift change from my short-working bus to SG79 in front, which was working through across the river and via St Stephens Green to the Wilton Terrace terminus, just south of the City Centre beside the canal. 1h 15m end to end. So ended my rides for Day 2.

Dublin Bus 11: City Centre - Sandyford - Wadelai Park - City Centre

On Day 3, I switched my attention from new to existing services, including one which is due to see radical changes in the delayed Phase 6 of BusConnects, the 11. This currently runs between Sandyford to the south via the City Centre to Wadelai Park in the north, but is due to be diverted on the latter half of its routeing to Phoenix Park in replacement for part of the 46A, the trunk route between Dublin and Dun Laoghaire, which is to be withdrawn and replaced by new “E” spine services.

The northern leg of the 11 is planned to be replaced by a new Dublin Airport - City Centre service numbered 19, providing new links between the Airport and DCU (Dublin City University), but assuming the current 11 routeing between Wadelai Park and the centre. However, this plan has run into local opposition, as residents fear that buses from the airport towards DCU and the city will arrive full at Wadelai Park at peak times, forcing longer waits. Despite additional shortworkings from the latter point being added to the proposed timetable at peak times to counter these criticisms, it seems that the fight continues, with “Save Route 11” posters evident on lamp-posts in the area. The battle continues!

I wanted to ride the current version of the 11 before any changes are made. Current frequency is every 30 mins daily but every 15 mins during M-F peaks. Some of the remaining Volvo B7TL ALX400s are allocated to the additional peak workings, with one or two sometimes staying out all day. Beginning at Trinity College in the City Centre, I was lucky to find AX639 of Donnybrook Garage on a southbound trip towards the end of the morning peak. A fairly quiet run “against the flow” out through suburban Dublin via Ranelagh, Clonskeagh and Kilmacud, before reaching the Sandyford Industrial Estate terminus, a 40 min trip.

Unfortunately, my AX then went out of service back to the garage, so I had to content myself with another older vehicle, EV100, by coincidence the final one of the batch delivered to Dublin Bus, for the return run. Slightly busier in this direction as we picked up workers and shoppers into the city. We then continued up O’Connell Street and through Drumcomdra, before turning off via the back streets to DCU and then the final loop to the terminus at Wadelai Park in St Pappin’s Road. We took 1h 20m for the run, slightly later than timetabled, but not a problem due to a long scheduled 25 min stand time.

After taking a photo (see below), the driver questioned my interest in his bus and after I explained, said that he was not looking forward to the impending changes, preferring the current routeing to the intended diversion to Phoenix Park! I reboarded the same bus for the 35 min journey back to my start point at Trinity College to complete the rounder.

***Enviro400 EV100 of Donnybrook Garage at the Wadelai Park terminus of Route 11 at St Pappin’s Road. This vehicle was the final one of the batch to be delivered back in 2008.***

Under Phase 6 of “BusConnects” the 11 is due to be rerouted away from this location to Phoenix Park in lieu of part of the 46A, with new route 19 linking Dublin Airport and Parnell Square taking over this leg. This has caused much local opposition and “SAVE ROUTE 11” posters have appeared on lamp-posts in the area.

Dublin Bus 150: City Centre - Rossmore (& back)

Next, I had intended a ride on the 47 (City Centre - Belarmine), as I saw from bustimes.org that there was a stray AX out on it. However, it was running 30 mins late and curtailed at Ringsend on its inbound journey, so did not reach me in the City Centre.

So, to Plan B, another chance to sample the new electrics, with a spin on the 150 to Rossmore. This runs from Hawkins Street on the southside of the river, operating every 20 mins M-S daytimes, 15 mins M-F Peaks and 30 mins eves & Suns. EW9 of Summerhill Garage was on the next working and I boarded for the trip through the city past St Patrick’s Cathedral to inner suburban Dublin through narrow streets with Victorian housing and many sharp corners, which were difficult to negotiate in parts with parked cars and traffic coming the other way slowing progress. Crossing the canal, we entered the outer suburban area of Crumlin, with wider roads and we made better progress. Finally to Templeogue and the terminus at Rossmore, a 50 min trip.

The return run on the same vehicle took exactly the same time, despite being busier with more passengers in this direction.

The 150 is another that had a period in the 90s / early noughties with midibuses and then longer single deckers, before double deck conversion.

***Another route to see electrification with Dublin Bus this year is the 150 (City Centre - Rossmore). EW9 of Summerhill Garage illustrates the offside view of the new class at the Rossmore terminus.***

*Note the small “Zero Emission Bus” legend on the roof side panel in Irish and English.*

Dublin Bus 27B: City Centre - Harristown Garage

Next day, it was time to go home, so to return to the Airport, I opted for the 27B to Harristown, departing from Eden Quay on the north bank of the Liffey. This is one of the long-standing remaining suffixed routes with Dublin Bus, ultimately destined for extinction as BusConnects continues its relentless advance.

The route is mainly operated with Volvo B9TLs and I had GT135 out of Harristown Garage. After proceeding past Connelly Station, we made our way through Fairview and north along the Malahide Road, before turning off towards Beaumont, where a double run was performed to serve Beaumont Hospital. Returning to the route, we continued on before another diversion to loop around the Castletimon Estate. Back on the main road, we had a faster run through an industrial and retail area to Santry, before heading north on the Swords Road towards the Airport. However, at the southern boundary, the 27B turns left along the airport perimeter road with a fast non-stop run, the only intermediate sight being a lay-by where plane spotters congregate. Finally, Harristown Garage is reached, virtually in the middle of nowhere at the edge of the Airport, with only a couple of nearby industrial units to provide passengers apart from Dublin Bus staff! A 45 min run.

I then crossed the road and boarded the next inbound 27B (SG341) to return one stop to Collinstown Park on the main Swords Road, a 5 min spin.

***Dublin Bus Volvo B9TL GT142 of Harristown Garage stands beside the Liffey at Eden Quay before returning to base on Route 27B.***

*The route includes a non-stop run along the Airport southern perimeter road to the Garage.*

Part Route Dublin Bus 16: Collinstown Park - Dublin Airport

Crossing the road, my final ride was another short 5 min one, aboard EV47 on Route 16 back to Dublin Airport. Full and standing when I boarded with airport passengers, but as it was only 3 stops and a brief ride, I didn’t mind.

So ended my latest trip to Dublin, during which I had completed the remaining new routes from previous phases of BusConnects which I had yet to ride, together with sampling the new electrics and perhaps a final ride on some of the older diesels. On my next visit, I expect that Phase 6 will have been implemented, with a number of new routes to try out in the Dun Laoghaire and Bray areas on the coast to the south of the city.

Watton

Living the Liffey

Orpington & Round-About

Nearly Done in Brum