Irish Decker Blog

Week commencing: Sunday 20th February 2011:

2011-02-20T20:55:00.011Z

Week commencing: Sunday 20th February 2011:
Bray Services - Seirbhísí Bhré

This weeks entry starts with a trip on the 145 from Heuston Rail Station to Kilmacanogue. Donnybrook's EV92 is seen here laying over at Heuston...
And here is EV92 again on the edge of the N11 at Kilmacanogue, the 145's southern terminus.
Other Dublin Bus services around Bray are the local routes, Route 184 linking Newtownmountkennedy and Kilpedder with Bray, while the 185 links Bray on two separate routes, one to Shop River and Enniskerry and the other to Palermo via Fassaroe.
Route 84 also passes through Bray operating from Newcastle via Greystones and Bray to UCD Belfield.
Also, the 45 and 45a serve Bray. The 45 operates between Merrion Square and Oldcourt while the 45a serves Ballywaltrim and Dun Laoghaire.

Week commencing: Sunday 13th February 2011:

2011-02-13T21:46:00.004Z

Week commencing: Sunday 13th February 2011:

This week we traveled out to Dublin Airport to get a photo of the new Aer Lingus / T2 ad on the side of a bus at the Airport... and success!
Summerhill's AV422 is seen here on the Atrium Road operating a 41 from Lower Abbey Street via Dublin Airport to Swords Manor.
The new ad campaign for Aer Lingus' move to T2 is currently being carried on many Dublin Bus T-side ad frames as well as many other advertising formats across the city.

Week commencing: Sunday 6th February 2011:

2011-02-06T23:26:00.003Z

Week commencing: Sunday 6th Fenruary 2011:

From today, Sunday 6th February 2011, a new timetable comes into operation on Route 63. Since the Network Direct changes on the N11 Stillorgan Road corridoor, the 63 was taken out of the city centre and has operated from Dun Laoghiare, where AV263 is pictured...
Via Deansgrange and Carrickmines... WV41 waits to turn off the Clonkeen Road onto Kill Lane.
To Kilternan... where AV150 sits awaiting depature back to Dun Laoghaire
The new timetable gives the service more running time, sees daytime departures denoted as serving Carrickmines Retail Park and also restores the twice day service via Foxrock Village that the 63 used offer pre Network Direct. For more details, click here.

Also, from today Dublin Bus adult cash fares have been increased... For full details see the picture of the poster below, or click here.

Week commencing: Sunday 30th January 2011:

2011-01-30T20:58:00.006Z

Week commencing: Sunday 30th January 2011:
This week Dublin Bus announced the Network Direct plans for the Howth Road and Portmarnock areas. The main points see the 29a become the 29 and finally get the long talked about extension to Baldoyle.
As a result of this, the 32b is withdrawn from Abbey Park and all services on the 32/a/b will operate to/from Malahide (at the tennis courts) via Portmarnock to the city centre using number 32. The 31 and 31b remain as per normal with the 31b being renamed the 31a.
All Howth Road serives will depart from Lower Abbey Street with an all important integrated timetable (which ties in with all Malahide Road services using Eden Quay).
Consultation for this section ends on the 25th of February 2011 and more details can be found here.

Week commencing: Sunday 23rd January 2011:

2011-01-30T20:57:00.004Z

Week commencing: Sunday 23rd January 2011:

Apologies for the lack of an update last week... We took a break a headed to Scotland... No photos from this trip but some classic shots from Scotland instead:

Week commencing: Sunday 15th January 2011:

2011-01-16T23:06:00.003Z

Week commencing: Sunday 15th January 2011:

This week we paid a visit to Dublin Airport to check out a new bus service in operation...
Dublin Airport Hotel Hopper has started operating from the airport to some hotels and car parking facilities north of the airport complex.
The route departs Dublin Airport coach park, leaves the airport and heads along the R132. The route then serves the Travellodge Dublin Airport North Swords, passes the Wright Venue in Airside where Airside Airport Car Parking is located. The next stop is then at the Premier Inn Dublin Airport before heading back to Dublin Airport.
The service costs €5. The bus currently operating the route is ex Bus Eireann VWM5, 00-C-30276.

Week commencing: Sunday 9th January 2011:

2011-01-09T16:40:00.006Z

Week commencing: Sunday 9th January 2011:

We then next phase of Network Direct due for implementation shortly, we've decided to look at the two routes planned to merge, the 40 & 78a.At present the 40 operates from Parnell Street in the city centre to Charlestown in Finglas via Whitworth Road, Finglas Road, Finglas and St. Margaret's Road. The 40a variant operates via Tolka Valley & St. Helena's Road, while ceratin services on the main 40 are extended to serve Toberburr.The 78a operates from Aston Quay in the city to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre via Kilmainham, Ballyfermot and Neilstown. The 78 variant operates direct via St. John's Rd. and Con Colbert Road to Ballyfermot and like a 78a to Liffey Valley.
RV532 sits at the city centre terminus of the 78a on Aston Quay.
Conyngham Road RV594 stops outside St. James's Hospital en route to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
AV291 sits ahead of RV591 at the bus terminus in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. The 210 to Tallaght (Monday to Friday) and the 239 to Blanchardstown (Monday to Saturday) also serve this terminus. In addition, private operator service 'Flybus' from Tallaght to Dublin Airport also has a stop here.

Under Network Direct, the 40 & 78a routes will merge to operate as one route, Route 40 from Finglas to Liffey Valley via City Centre. For more details, click here.

Week commencing: Sunday 2nd January 2011:

2011-01-02T23:58:00.006Z

Week commencing: Sunday 2nd January 2011:

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2011

(VT33 when brand new poses on Custom House Quay with a special Happy New Year scroll)

As part of the Lucan/North Kildare Network Direct changes Route 26 was rerouted and extended to Merrion Square.

After leaving Merrion Square the 26 follows the routing the 66/a/b & 67 take through the city centre until Victoria Quay, just south of Heuston Station. The 26 then heads left out St. John's Road, before turning right down the South Circular Road and left into Chapelizod. This chosen routing did bemuse some people, however, since the announcement of Network Direct for Clondalkin and the shortening of the 68 & 69 to Red Cow Luas, having the 26 serve this stretch of road makes more sense now.

After Chapelizod, the 26 takes the Kylemore Road to Ballyfermot, through Ballyfermot Village, past Cherry Orchard Hospital to its new terminus at Palmerstown Cemetery.
This terminus was previosuly used by selected departures on the 18 before they were all extended to the Old Lucan Road terminus.
Seen here in November 2005, the 18 was running on the other end to Sandymount (St. John's Church) as seen here...

Week commencing: Sunday 26th December 2010:

2010-12-29T19:18:00.003Z

Week commencing: Sunday 19th December 2010:

Happy Christmas!

Hope you're having a great Christmas, this weeks update will be quite short, turkey sandwiches are calling!

Finally managed to catch a debranded Airlink... VG47 & 48 are now in a base Airlink livery with no logos following a revision of the timetable and a lower vehicle requirement. I has not managed to get a photo of one... until now.

VG47 is seen here passing through Drumcondra en route to the city centre ironically on the Airlink 747 service...
Our final message for this week comes courtesy of Dublin Bus Tours...

Week commencing: Sunday 19th December 2010

2010-12-29T19:11:00.005Z

Week commencing: Sunday 19th December 2010:

To the Airport...

This week we travelled out to Dublin Airport to see the new Terminal, T2
The Dublin Bus Airlink 747 & 748 services and Aircoach services towards Dublin City Centre now serve T2 in both directions.

This is fairly straight forward when heading to the Airport, however, after departing Terminal 1 towards the city, buses have to loop the Airport complex to serve T2 and then continue towards the city...

Here Summerhill Garage Airlink VG39 is seen after serving T2 heading to terminate at Terminal 1...
Also seen in the coach park at Dublin Airport is the one solitary Aircoach Scania PB which lives on the Aircoach Dublin Airport / Dublin City / Cork route...

Week commencing: Sunday 12th December 2010

2010-12-12T19:48:00.004Z

Week commencing: Sunday 12th December 2010
With the number of RV's in the fleet decreasing week by week, we decided to hop on the opportunity to get a spin on one on the 48a, a route which will probably see some change also when Network Direct reorganises services in the Dundrum/Ballinteer areas.
Donnybrook's RV585 is seen here parked up on Parnell Square East. The 48a leaves from Stop PR on Parnell Square East. The bus is awaiting departure towards Ballinteer via O'Connell St., Westland Row, Merrion Sq., St. Stephen's Green, Ranelagh, Miltown, Dundrum to Ballinteer.

The 48a service in inter-worked with the 14 & 14a routes operating from Donnybrook 1, in Donnybrook depot.
RV585 is seen here again at the final outbound stop in Ballinteer (Broadford). The bus then u-turns at the roundabout to park up on the opposite side of the road, and await departure back to the city centre.

Week commencing: Sunday 5th December 2010

2010-12-05T23:23:00.004Z

Week commencing: Sunday 5th December 2010

This week saw most of the city's snow turn to ice and still cause disruption to public transport in the city. Not being great weather to be out and about, photos this week are limited...

On Harrington Street we see Av114 on the 16a southbound to Nutgrove. At this time all Route 16 and 16a services were operating to Nutgrove, not serving the terminus at Ballinteer...
Phibsboro AV441 is seen heading northbound on a 19a towards Jamestown Road...
Going the opposite direction is Phibsboro's AV431 heading on a 19a south to Limekiln...
Finally, Donnybrook AV256 on the 54a short working to The Square only, not serving Kiltipper. Seen here at Harold's Cross...
Temperatures look to be rising towards the end of the week, so perhaps a thaw will begin...

Week commencing: Sunday 28th November 2010

2010-11-29T23:20:00.004Z

Snowvember...
Apologies for the delay in this weeks update, blame the snow! :) This weekend saw the return of the aforementioned snow to the city, and in turn weather related disruptions to bus services. We were out and about to photo some of the effects of the snow on Dublin's bus services.
VG3 is seen here near Ashtown, turning short inside the housing estate as the roads further into the estate suffered icy conditions
Summerhill's EV47 is seen here on a snowy Harold's Cross Road heading for Terenure. Due to icy conditions at the 16 terminus in Ballinteer, all southbound 16 & 16a's were operating to/from Nutgrove and therefore displaying '16A Nutgrove'
The city centre didn't escape the snow either, Donnybrook's AV322 is seen here on Eden Quay departing on a 54a towards The Square, Tallaght only and not serving Kiltipper.

For full day to day details on Weather Disruptions to Dublin Bus services, click here.

Week commencing: Sunday 21st November 2010

2010-11-21T09:49:00.009Z

Today, Sunday 21st of November saw the introduction of Network Direct changes on the Lucan Road corridor. The main changes are the introduction of the 25b to serve Adamstown, in additional to the 25a, these routes operate into the city via the Chapelizod bypass all day, every day. The 25x is now a Dodsboro/UCD Belfield only service. Also, the 25 group of routes has moved from Phibsboro to Conyngham Road. Wedding Bus, EV64 is seen here at the 25a terminus at Lucan (Esker Church).
While in Adamstown AV409 heads towards Merrion Square...
In a welcome change from previous Network Direct implementations many stops along the changed routes had new timetables and customer notices from Day 1.
The 26 has been revised to operate via St. John's Rd., South Circular Road, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot to Palmerstown Cemetery. The 66 remains fairly unchanged, expect the removal of services to/from Kilcock. The 67 & 67a have formed one route, the 67 to/from Maynooth via Celbridge. All services on the 25/a/b, 26, 66/a/b & 67 now terminate on Merrion Square South in the city. AX588 is seen here on Merrion Square South about to depart as a 67 to Maynooth via Celbridge
Conyngham Road has received some AX's from Donnybrook to boost its fleet numbers, AX610 is seen here on the 25b at Merrion Square South...
Finally, the City Centre stop for the 25, 25a (and now the 25b too) has changed from Westmoreland Street to ASton Quay. EV54 is seen loading at Aston Quay heading toward Dodsboro...

Week commencing: Sunday 14th November 2010

2010-11-14T11:14:00.010Z

This week saw the publication of the timetables for the Lucan/North Kildare network review. These changes come in effect from next Sunday the 21st of November, ad we'll hopefully have some first day operations photos next week, in particular the new 25B route to Adamstown.

For this entry, we're looking at Blanchardstown, and specifically Route 37 to Blanchardstown Road South, known as Blanchs'town Rd. Sth. on a limited space scroll...

VT57 operated the 10.30 ex Burlington Road to Blanchardstown Road South arriving at 11.20 for a return at 11.30. The times on these duties allow for the extension of the route into Blanchardstown Centre, for which VT57 is showing the scroll setting for in this picture...
Also, added to scrolls for short workings to the city only is '37C City Centre', in keeping with the tradition of short working cross city services being suffixed 'C' (ie. 4C, 16C, 19C etc). Like the 37C, the 39C also have new City Centre short working options on the scrolls, however, the 38C & 70C do not. VT57 demonstrates the 37C option here at Blanchardstown Road South.
Also in the past 7 days, we took a trip on northside orbital Route 104 from Clontarf Garage to Cappagh Hospital. AV233 is seen here outside Clontarf Garage heading towards Cappagh.

Week commencing: Sunday 7th November 2010

2010-11-07T20:36:00.009Z

Week commencing... Sunday 7th November 2010:

STOP PRESS! What's this, an update! Yes, after many, many months of sitting around, the blog is back!

I've decided to return with a weekly update centered around something of interest in the bus world that week. Updates will usually be on a Sunday with a look back at the weeks bus events.
This week saw the Coach & Bus show in the NEC in Birmingham and also the first full week of revised Network Direct services on the Blanchardstown corridor... AX553, AX458 & AV306 are seen on College Street.
Additionally this week... Summerhill started to receive EV's from Harristown to withdraw its WV's... While the WV's were mainly 123 buses and the EV's will likely remain the same, being double deckers it is easier for them to stray... EV38 is seen in O'Connell Street on a 16 towards Ballinteer.
But sights like this will become less and less...
Until next week... Travel safe! :)

RV551 & RV411

2009-10-17T18:44:00.002+01:00

Former Harristown, now Summerhill RV551, seen on Parnell St. during it Harristown days on Route 40D, with the scroll advising of a dirersion on the route.
ver the other side of Parnell Street former Phibsboro RV411 terminating on Route 120:

RV375 & RV639

2009-10-16T19:36:00.001+01:00

Former Summerhill RV375 on Route 16 towards Santry
Phibsboro RV639 on former Route 172 at Dunard

RV435 & RV588

2009-10-15T20:32:00.000+01:00

Former Summerhill RV435 is seen on Parnell Square East display a numeral scroll for the former Park & Ride route number 254...
Harristown's RV588 on the now finished evening peak departure on Route 40A from St. Stephen's Green.

Some other RV's...

2009-10-14T20:29:00.001+01:00

Summerhill's RV552 rounds College Street on the 16A towards Nuytgrove Avenue
While Harristown's RV572 is seen laying over in Blanchardstown Centre between departures on Route 239.

The decreasing number of RV's...

2009-10-13T20:21:00.000+01:00

With the decreasing number of RV's on the city streets, I've decided to look over some of my recent and not so recent photos and post a few up here... over the next few days expect to see RV's across many depots/routes...

Donnybrook's RV569 to kick us off:
RV569 is seen here at the 44 terminus on Townsend St., and not Eden Quay as the scroll states!

Birmingham

2009-10-12T10:15:00.001+01:00

Last weeks trip to Coach & Bus Live was a little disappointing with quite a small show at the NEC this year. However, a trip into the centre of Birmingham allowed for some good photos. It was nice to see that National Express West Midlands still had some vintage MCW double deckers in operation, even if, to use the phrase of another site, they were a 'scare at peak time' for the most part.
3070 is seen here after just leaving the terminus of Route 107 bound for Sutton Coldfield.

College Green Bus Gate

2009-08-07T17:00:00.000+01:00

At the same time Swedish furniture giant IKEA was opennig its doors to the public, College Green in the city centre was cloing its doors to private cars... becoming buses, taxis and cyclists only Monday to Friday 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

Phibsboro AV381 is seen here passing through College Green while a member of the Gardai directs a motorist away from the area.
For more information on the College Green bus gate, click here.

Elite style...

2009-08-05T17:00:00.000+01:00

Logan's Exective Travel / Corporate Coaching based in Antrim, who operate coaching services for CIE Tours International, have taken delivery of some new Plaxton Elite coaches on Volvo B12B chassis.

YN09 HRG is seen here in Nassau Street in Dublin city centre on some CIE Tours work.
To visit Logan's website, click here or to find out more about the Plaxton Elite, click here.

Now serving IKEA...

2009-08-03T17:00:00.000+01:00

IKEA Dublin opened its door to the public on July 27th last, and since opennig Dublin Bus Routes 13 & 13a have been serving the new Swedish furniture store.

Fellow Harristown Route 140 will also extend to serve IKEA shortly.

AV163 is seen here on O'Connell St., IKEA bound...

VT42 on the 121

2009-08-02T16:53:00.003+01:00

Very unusually VT42 operated on Route 121 on Sunday the 2nd August 2009...

We're so used to seeing these Volvo B9 Enviro 500's on the 10, 37, 38/a 0r 39/a/c that this rare operation on the 121 surprised many...

Here are some photos of VT42 on the 121 at Ratoath Road:

Good Friday...

2009-04-12T10:56:00.007+01:00

Details and photos of a few bus journies in Dublin on Good Friday...

Firstly, the 7am 51A from Abbey St. to Beaumont Hospital... VG23 is seen leaving the hospital.
Next a 103 to Ballymun, to take a 220 to Blanchardstown... AV435 is seen here with AV436 on the left of the picture laying over on the 220 also.
While the bus shelter in Ballymun displays some interesting route information:
The flag reads 'Routes 18, 50, 56A, 77, 77A, 210'
While waiting AV166 passes on a 13 towards Merrion Square...
In Blanchardstown Centre, EV49 on the 39 and VG16 on the 270
Next trip was on a cicular 236 - AV194
Then before a 239 to Liffey Valley on RV619, quick photo of WV7 operating the 238
Next a 210 from Liffey Valley to The Square - AV98
Another bus stop photo... This time outside The Square:
From here a 50 to Citywest, AV16.
While waiting EV58 passes on the 69, then a 65B from Citywest to Rathmines, switch to a 128 to Fairview to catch, a 31 from Eden Quay to Howth, EV82:
Next the 31C from Howth to Sutton Stationn on WV45
And the final photo AV160 on a 102 from Sutton Stn. to Dublin Airport

Zzzzz....

2009-03-27T16:37:00.002Z

If your reading this update, you'll have noticed how there has been a lack of updates on this blog of late... sadly for the short term this will continue... However, we will return this Summer!!! Blog ya then!

Airlink - city/airport direct

2009-02-11T23:19:00.009Z

The first of the new VG class Volvo Wright Geminis for the Airlink service has entered service.

VG36 from Summerhill went into service on Tuesday 10th February 2008.
The new Airlink VG's will see the replacement of older AV's off the service. AV117 is seen above at Dublin Airport.

VG36 is seen at Dublin Airport in these photos on Wednesday 11th February 2009.
This side shot shows the Airlink livery in full...
These buses feature luggage racking and LCD screens. These screens show route maps for the Airlink 747 & 748 services and details on Dublin Bus tours. Also, when the doors are open the screens show passengers the downstairs luggage rack, therefore giving piece of mind to those travelling with luggage.VG36 is seen outside Busaras Bus Station in Dublin City Centre
The Airlink service connects Dublin Airport with Dublin city centre, bus and rails stations up to very tens minutes.
For details on Dublin Bus services to Dublin Airport, click here.

Nice day for a Wright Wedding

2009-02-06T22:39:00.003Z

Well with all the snow of late, it was a surprise to see some sun today...
What better day for some Wedding Bus photos, and here we have Phibsboro's VG9 on a Euro duty on the 51B, photos taken at Grange Castle.
For more details on the Wedding Bus from Dublin Bus, click here.

More Impact!

2009-01-22T20:30:00.003Z

Following on from the impact of Dublin Bus' new VG class, the impact of another new type of bus serving Dublin Airport is also taking place. Aircoach is in the process of replacing some of its 2003 Setra coaches with new Volvo Jonckheere coaches.
These coaches are included in First Group's fleet numbering of 5 digits, and 20658 is seen at Dublin Airport on the Leopardstown route.

Impact!

2009-01-20T17:00:00.000Z

I am always amazed of the impact of new type of bus has in Dublin city...
The Dublin Bus Volvo Wright Gemini VG class are presently only operating out of Phibsboro and Harristown depots and they are turning heads on the streets with their stylish design, Harristown's VG18 is seen heading onto O'Connell Bridge operating on Summerhill Route 16

And then you can board a Phibsboro VG, VG5 on the 19A and still be surrounded by these new vehicles. A feature which I'm quite impressed by is the break light above the upper deck rear window as seen on VG18 out the window of VG5!
All in all, I'm very impressed and can't wait to see the VG's in Airlink format.

Cornering the market...

2009-01-18T19:05:00.000Z

With the growth of Euro against Sterling more people are opting to head north of the boarder to shop. With this in mind UK grocery chain Sainsbury's are advertsing on the rear of some Aircoach vehicles, the mega rear for Sainsbury's below...

Clever marketing on Sainsbury's behalf, with a linear map of their stores in the Northern Ireland listed.

Famous bus shelter...

2009-01-10T20:34:00.000Z

Yes, can you believe it, a famous bus shelter...
This bus shelter on Baggot Street outbound appeared in the sponsor sequence for the weather on the ill fated Sky News Ireland, the forecast was sponsored by Smart Telecom, another somewhat ill fated operation!

All is not lost however, as you can still use a phone in this bus shelter, and that's about all you can do as any hope of sitting down to wait for the bus is not an option thanks to the missing bench! Maybe the Samaritans could help, or just a foot rub instead...

Some more RV's...

2009-01-09T22:53:00.002Z

Donnybrook's RV329 waits in Fleet Street to take up service from Trinity College on the 11 southbound towards Kilmacud.
Phibsboro's RV352, in the old CitySwift livery, at the 172 terminus at Dunard, Blackhorse Avenue.

More RV's...

2009-01-08T21:15:00.003Z

Seen here on the Blanchardstown local route 237, RV356 moved onto to its final days at Phibsboro
RV's wore quite a few all over ads, RV412 is seen here on the 145 in Bray DART Station. RV515 & RV612 also wore this ad, as well as RA293.
RV420 on the 11B, seen comning down O'Connell Street while the area was getting a makeover, and was quite an obstace course at times!

Looking back at some RV's...

2009-01-07T20:00:00.001Z

Following on from yesterday's blog, I decided to look for some older RV photos and over the next few days I'm going to publish some of them here... To start, RV327 on the 3 & RV623 on the 40D
RV341 on Pearse Street:
Next, RV352 in O'Connell St. on the 121:
More tomorrow...

Becoming harder to find...

2009-01-06T21:00:00.000Z

With more RV's being withdrawn each week as new EV's & VG's arrive, they've become hard to find at times, even more so at weekends.

Luckly I managed to get a shot of these tow together on Kildare St. last Saturday...

RV567 on the 14A and RV448 on the 172

Spot the difference!

2009-01-05T22:00:00.000Z

I took this photo in Belfield recently, and when looking back at it I knew something looked odd. It took me a while but in the end I spotted it... Have a look and see if you notice...
And take a look the the same bus here...
Did you 'spot' it? Its missing its spot lights in the top photo!

Is there a bus lane here???

2009-01-04T22:00:00.000Z

I was stuck at the traffic lights turning onto Pearse Street last week and noticed this...Just in case there was any doubt as to the presence of a bus lane here, the place is littered with signs! Pity they don't help the enforcement at all...

Forget Christmas, roll on Easter!

2009-01-03T22:30:00.000Z

The Christmas turkey is just about a distant memory, and already the Cadburys Creme Egg is back!
Conyngham Road's AV403 parked on Aston Quay sporting a T-side ad for the Creme Egg.

How do you eat yours?

Confession time...

2009-01-01T22:10:00.004Z

Forgive me readers, its been a while since my last blog entry... :)

Anyway, since its the new year, Happy New Year and here are some photos of some relatively new buses.

Firstly, Wedding Bus EV64 in Broadstone
New Conyngham Road EV63 on the 79
New Harristown EV69 on the 40
And finally, Phibsboro's new VG4 at the 25A terminus on Pearse Street

Happy New Year!

EV in, RV out...

2008-12-15T10:39:00.003Z

Conyngham Road are currently putting their new EV's into service. As a result RV's in the 330's & 340's are being withdrawn...RV343, in Cityswift livery and RV336, in fleet livery are seen in April 2005 in Conyngham Road Depot.

Its looking baaaaad

2008-12-09T15:02:00.006Z

Well no pork on the menu and now beef looks worrying too...

Still though at least the sheep are holding their own outside the Department of Agriculture on Kildare Street...
While in bus related news the new style bus stops have also set up shop on Kildare Street and just so there's now favourism, even the 172 stop has goten an upgrade...
And incase you needed anymore details on the 172, check out the Dublin Bus website by clicking here.

Get out of town...

2008-12-08T21:45:00.005Z

A guaranteed lift home for a fiver... Get out of town!

The enhanced Dublin Bus Christmas Nitelink services kick in this weekend...
More details on the Dublin Bus website, click here.

The Wright Choice...

2008-12-03T21:51:00.003Z

Both Dublin Bus & Bus Eireann have ordered new Wrights Gemini double decker buses this year.

Bus Eireann has recieved VWD1-10 of 10, and VWD2 is seen in Broadstone:
Dublin Bus has received VG1-4 of 50, and VG4 is seen in Broadstone:
The first of these VG's, 1-11 are to be allocated to Phibsboro Garage.

Happy December....

2008-12-01T18:58:00.002Z

Hello all! Yes, there's been quite a gap in updates on the blog, apologies. Its December, so the count down to Christmas has begun. While we won't be doing the advent calender this year, I promise more regular updates have returned... so to begin... back to December 2007, VT33 only recently delivered at the time, meets now withdrawn RA229 in Broadstone.

Holidays are coming... holidays are coming... :)

Giving the elbow...

2008-11-08T23:40:00.004Z

A reference made by another enthusiast on another blog (cough cough)... spurred me to look back into my own archives of the same time to see what other photos I took...
A fuel cell Citaro on Route RV1. Following trials, these buses have now been withdrawn.
National Express Plaxton Panther 20542 about to enter Golders Green bus interchange.
A Docklands Light Railway train in Canary Wharf station
An Arriva single decker in the bus interchange at Bluewater Shopping Centre.
Services H1, H2 & H3 are three local services around the Golders Green area. If you every want a hair raising spin on a minibus... Route H2 is it. The route winds its way around narrow streets and operates a hail and ride service along the way. When I first visited Golders Green Metroline had the contract for this service, however, on this return trip Arriva had taken over the service, still using Optare Solo minibuses as see above.

She's Electric!

2008-10-22T21:19:00.009+01:00

No, this isn't a post about the Oasis concert in Slane next year... its the new Wrights Hybrid Pulsar Gemini which has just arrived in Summerhill.

The bus, which is to be classified, WH1 will carry the registration of 08D69001. It's fitted with a Ford Puma diesel engine and a Lithium ion battery pack.

The bus will receive its external graphics next week, and then driver familiarisation will begin after that.

Here are some photos of the Hybrid taken in Summerhill Garage on Wednesday, 22nd October 2008. Click on the image for a larger version.
And this is how the dash looks...
A Wrights Hybrid Gemini is also in operation in London...

Hungry for information...

2008-10-12T00:12:00.002+01:00

Tickets, check.
Wallet, check.
Passport, check.
Food, sorted!
Timetable, fantasy!

While Burger Kings ads are now visible across the Aircoach stops in the city, it seems a lack of a timetable has left us hungry for information...

Driving School

2008-09-30T22:58:00.004+01:00

Driving School buses are hard to get photos of. They only appear Monday to Friday and mainly between 8.30am & 4pm.

Former Donnybrook RA181 is seen here in O'Connell Street. This must be nerve racking for any trainee driver as the unpredictability of people and vehicles on O'Connell St. is something else!

And finally, before Showbus 2008 - the last installment from 2007

2008-09-27T18:46:00.004+01:00

Stagecoach showed off their new Enviro 400's for the Cambridge Park & Ride services...

And Stagecoach Lincolnhire also showed an Enviro400, but in standard Stagecoach corporate colours...
And finally, a British Airways Merc Citaro...
If your heading to Showbus 2008 this weekend, have a great time!

More from Showbus...

2008-09-25T23:05:00.005+01:00

More photos from Showbus.

A site shuttle runs around the Showbus event. Last year a Plaxton Primo was involved in the shuttle...
Also present last year was a National Express wheelchair accessible coach tri-axle Caetano Levante...
and a Wrights Gemini decker from First
More to follow...

Showbus

2008-09-23T22:23:00.003+01:00

Its Showbus in Duxford in the UK this coming Sunday, the 28th September...

In preperation for the event I was looking back at photos from Showbus 2007.

Here is First York Wrights 60928:
More Showbus 2007 photos across the week...

New Route 47

2008-09-07T19:37:00.007+01:00

From Monday 8th September Dublin Bus are introducing new Route 47 between Belarmine and Donnybrook Church serving Stepaside, Sandyford, Stillorgan and Belfield.

Route 47 offers an improved service from Belarmine, connecting with high frequency Routes 10/A, 46A & 145 on the Stillorgan QBC at Donnybrook. Previous to this Belarmine was only served infrequently, mainly at peak times by extended 46B's & the 118. These routes will now stop serving Belarmine with the commencing of the new 47 service.
AV390 is seen in March 2007 at the Belarmine terminus on the 46B. For more photos, click here for our archive feature on the 46B.

Also from Monday 8th September, Route 67X has increased departures, Routes 31 & 31B have revised timetables and the evening departure on Route 58X from the Airport at 17.10 is cancelled. More details are available on the Dublin Bus website here.

All kinds of everything... logos & fonts anyway...

2008-09-01T23:54:00.006+01:00

When it comes to branding Bus Eireann is changing its style for the better and has so far been very pro-active about the revisions.
However, up at Dublin Airport all kinds of logos and fonts are in operation at present, as can be seen the flag sign is the older block font, the main shelter panel is the CIE2000 font and the new logo is being shown off on the top of the shelter!

I'm sure they'll all be the same soon... but overall its great to see Bus Eireann offering better customer inofrmation and improved branding.

Even 'Out of Order' can be out of order...

2008-08-30T21:16:00.005+01:00

Took this photo on Saturday at the LUAS stop, and temporary terminus, in Abbey Street.

The display should read 'Display Out Of Order', however, it seems the out of order notice is out of order!

Advertising the bus...

2008-08-21T13:47:00.003+01:00

It important to advertise for all products and services... and at Bray DART Station this has been taken to heart.

An impressive display of timetables in an advertising frame is how passengers are informed of services at the station...
A great idea but a pity about the mess on the plastic cover but thats some people for you...

London

2008-08-19T12:57:00.005+01:00

I was reminded today by a friend that this time last year we were in London, after going back to look at the pictures from the trip I decided I'd share them by means of a blog entry...

Metroline Enviro 400 TE on the 24 to Hampstead Heath, this route is now operated by London General still using Enviro 400's.During the trip we visited BBC Television Centre, and took a tour which is well worth it, very interesting.
East London's Dennis Trident ALX400 17496 on Route 101
We also took a trip to Oxford, travelling by Oxford Tube
Oxford has an interesting bus scene:
ALX400's operate the frequent Park & Ride service
They also have Plaxton Verde buses, similar to our old P Class but with a different engine. As can be seen in the background, one is about to be towed...
And also Merc Citaros... as the branding says 'in comfort, in style, in a Merc'!
While Irish interest is maintained by former RH Olympians operating the CitySightseeing open top tour. Former Ringsend RH13 is seen here.On the return from Oxford, we alighted the Oxford Tube early at Hillingdon and travelled back on the 'real' tube, Piccadilly line.
Then we took a trip on an elusive tube line, the Waterloo & City line...
Not much choice about where to get off... Waterloo or Bank???

Lucan Road goes tri-axle...

2008-08-17T11:57:00.003+01:00

A number of VT's at Phibsboro have had their allocations changed and are now operating on the Lucan Road corridor routes.

VT27 is seen here on the 25X at Belfield and also on the 25A at Lucan - Esker Church terminus.

The VT's look surperb and can really be noticed no matter where they go. If only they'd fix that 25A scroll, despite what it says on the scroll the route does not operate 'Via Esker Church', but in fact terminates across the road from it!

More go low floor...

2008-08-08T23:32:00.008+01:00

From Monday 11th August, 5 more Dublin Bus routes are going low floor...
Routes 7a, 31, 31b, 67x and 75 will now be operated by low floor wheelchair accessible buses.

Route 7a is Donnybrook operated, AX449 is seen here at the Machintosh Park terminus shortly after delivery in 2006
Routes 31 & 31b are Clontarf operated and AV229 is seen at the Howth Summit terminus.
AV234 is also at the same terminus, not a great photo but I came across it and had to include it because of the now gone CitySwift livery...
Route 67x is Phibsboro operated, AV188 is seen here heading towards Belfield
Route 75 is Donnybrook operated and has been made low floor by the recent transfer of AX's to Donnybrook allowing RA's to be completely withdrawn at the depot. On the same day as the RA farewell run, AX610 is seen on the 75 at Dun Laoghaire.

Route 127 bows out...

2008-08-08T22:51:00.009+01:00

Route 127 operated its last departure from Leeson St. at 17:30 on Friday evening. AW3 is seen in the picture above, taken a while back. Both the 127 & 129 commenced operation with AW bendi-buses. More recently these bendi-buses have moved onto the 4 for all day operation.

Route 128 which was recently introduced along the Malahide QBC from Clongriffin to Rathmines duplicates the, now former, 127 and operates a full 7 day service as opposed to the minimal departures which the 127 did offer.

AX621 is seen at the 128 terminus in Clongriffin

The 16:00 departure on Route 129 has been cancelled, this departure was actullay operated by the duty which did the 127, hence its removal. The remaining departures on Route 129 remain in place.

AW3 is seen at the 129 Baldoyle terminus.

RA farewell run...

2008-08-01T12:03:00.003+01:00

Only days to go to the RA run, taking place this Sunday the 3rd of August, I though it apt to publish my most recent RA photo...
RA281 on the 11 to Kilmacud last Friday, and former RA256 now with Dualway in the background...

The latest info. regarding the RA run is available here. See you Sunday!

Thursday Trip

2008-07-18T10:41:00.008+01:00

Took a ramble around some of the network yesterday. Here are the details and some photos of the journey...

Started with AV255 on the 77, got off at The Square. The 11am 49 was operated by RV534.

Took the 11.30 75 to Dun Laoghaire operated by RV582. Arrived into Dun Laoghaire at 12.40.
Photo taken as the bus rested before operating the 11.30 departure.

In Dun Laoghaire, VL3was on the 111 & WV14 on the 59.

Got the 12.50 45A to Bray Station via Shanganagh Cliffs Estate, AV148, got off in Bray Stn. at 13.40. AV134 & AV138 also on the 45A. Nice to see the customer information on full display using advertising boards at Bray Station.
AV350 on the 13.45 185 to Shop River, took this to Enniskerry arriving at 14.05.
And then got the 14.13 44 to the city centre operated by RV496.
As can be seen in the two photos above, the Enniskerry terminus is now kessel kerbed and low floor friendly. Until recently this wasn't the case and the bus stop was regularly illegally parked in, its good to see progress being made and that the bus is viewed important in the village of Enniskerry.

Little bus, long route...

2008-07-11T22:27:00.001+01:00

The 16 & 16A services are long cross city routes from Santry & Dublin Airport to Ballinteer & Nutgrove operated by Summerhill Garage. The main allocation of these routes is of RV's, AV's & AX's, however, during the busy peak period its all hands on deck at Summerhill.

The 123 route has 19 WV's allocated to Summerhill, but 3 double decks are put on the route to assist the busy rush, therefore some WV's in Summerhill are used on other routes to supplement the regular allocation.

WV32 is seen here at the Santry terminus of the 16

airlink - Thank You

2008-07-06T11:43:00.001+01:00

I travelled by Dublin Bus airlink service to Dublin Airport last week. All Summerhill airlink AV's now have interior screens to show route maps, advertise tour services and announce next stops...

and also this nice little touch...

Its polite to say thank you, so...

Thank you for reading the irishdecker.com blog (and make sure you have all your belongings with you as you leave)

Cultur bus goes double deck...

2008-07-01T12:19:00.003+01:00

After stating out with a Wright single decker and a Merc minibus, the new Cultur bus service is getting bigger...

Dualway allocated their closed top East Lancs double decker to the service last weekend...
How long before an ex Dublin Bus RH does the service, now that'd be one to get!

Route 239

2008-06-24T20:28:00.011+01:00

The 239 has always been a route I found interesting, from it City Imp operated days to the day RV617 appeared on it in the days before double deckers were allowed, I always enjoy a spin on the 239.

RV617 at Liffey Valley Shoping Centre having completed a journey on the 239

On Monday I got another surprise on the 239, an EV. EV39 arrived into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre 'Out of Service' and parked up, I was waiting for the 10.30am departure on the 239 but I was convinced that EV39 would be operating another route, I was wrong and happy to be wrong too! At 10.20 the driver moved up to the stop and displayed '239 Liffey Valley', fantastic!

The bus stops at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre recently received the new style Dublin Bus stops...

The 239 routing now avoids some of the older narrower roads, instead of serving Castleknock Village and Porterstown, the route operates via Coolmine, Carpenterstown/Diswellstown (Route 37 terminus), to Clonsilla Village and Clonsilla Train Station where the route crosses the narrow railway bridge...
When we reached Westmanstown another surprised appeared! RH23 tree looping...
After Westmanstown, the route operates via Laraghcon Estate into Lucan Village and towards the Newcastle Road junction with the N4. This junction is currently in the process of being grade separated. Here are some pictures of the works taking place.
The junction with the N4 when approaching from Lucan Village, all traffic must turn left towards the city where a turning lane is then provided for traffic to turn towards Newcastle, of the N4 westbound.

Above: N4 towards cityAbove: Works in the centre of the old junctionAbove: N4 Westbound

When the 239 reaches the N4, it now goes left towards the city centre, and turns at the turning lane and heads back towards Newcastle on the N4 west taking the next left turn up by Esker Church and back onto the normal route via Lucan to Liffey Valley S.C.

EV39 at the 239 stop in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

Early or late???

2008-06-21T11:18:00.004+01:00

I travelled on AV180 on the 49X this week and as I was getting off I spotted this...
An advertisement for Dublin Bus Christmas Nitelink... I'm not too sure if its really late or just very early? :)
Here's AV180, above in Belfield and below at the Ellensborough terminus. This is also the terminus for the 15E, 15N and 54A, however, different names are often given depending on the route, the 54A displays Kiltipper on its scroll while the 49X displays Ellensborough, but both terminate at the location in the above picture! Routes 77X & 201 operate through here also.

Next stop, Abbey Street

2008-06-16T20:14:00.005+01:00

Next stop, and in fact the temporary last stop for LUAS Red line services until early Autumn is in Abbey Street. While work is carried out at the Connolly stop for the extension to the Point, the Connolly and Busaras stops are now closed.

The facilitate this, the platform at Abbey St. has been widened, and some dividing bollards have been added to the track side.

The tram crossing overhang issue where a solid white line with a slight bend had been painted, is now even more obvious with bright yellow marker bollards...And the bollards continue track side making traffic movements a bit more challenging alongside the Abbey St. bus stops...

The 130 drivers will face the brunt of the problem as the narrowest part of the road is at their stop...

(ps. Yes, it is a 130, the rear scroll of AV235 is just stuck on the Out of Service three stars)

And in case you were under the illusion that you might even be able to continue along the tracks to Busaras, forget it... its ring-fenced!

Friday the 13th...

2008-06-13T21:17:00.004+01:00

Last Friday was Friday the 13th, usually associated with bad luck however it turned out to be a lucky day for me!

After many attempts to catch a photo of the new revamped Route 206 from Drumfinn Road in Ballyfermot to the West County Hotel on the Old Lucan Road, I had been left disappointed. For some reason the afternoon service was proving quite elusive, so with time to spare on Friday the 13th what better to do then chase a 206...

I thought I was off to a bad start when I missed the 11:00 departure to Drumfinn Rd., as the return 11.15 finishes the morning service. All was not lost this time however, as at 11.17 AV298 arrived into Ballyfermot Village prouding displaying '206 Old Lucan Rd.'...

Here's is AV298 at the West County Hotel

Hope your Friday the 13th was as lucky as mine!

Big on the BBC...

2008-06-13T21:12:00.003+01:00

VT on the TV - Yes or no...

Well, unlike the Lisbon Treaty this time it was a clear YES!

As I watched the BBC News Channel this evening, I got a surprise as while the live report was going out from Dublin Castle... A Dublin Bus VT from Phibsboro Garage shuttling people around for the media coverage of the event appeared on screen, as always the camera was on hand to grab a quick shot of the VT on the TV!!!

Following a trend...

2008-06-09T21:04:00.006+01:00

Just back from a few days in London, a city where I find the bus scene still interesting...

From double to single deck, Enviro to Gemini and even the bendi-buses... there is plenty of variety.

MA118 on the 38 leaving Victoria

Here in Dublin we've adopted some London style transport street furniture, like the bus stops...
But, could we ever take the step forward and adopt the on street ticket machines too...
We've managed to at Dublin Airport at least...
What about one on O'Connell Street... Hmmm... I wonder... Maybe, just maybe... Someday...

Not such a nice day for a white Wedding...

2008-06-04T21:51:00.003+01:00

While visiting Dublin Airport today, the recent spell of good weather gave way to the standard Irish summer of rain...

Its all change at the Airport at present, Terminal 2 is in full swing, while on the bus front the DAA Red Car Park buses are getting a new livery and Quickpark have a new 08-KE Citaro on their car park shuttle service. Not to mention the recently launched Flybus service too.

While my photos of these turned out rubbish, here's' the best of a bad bunch. Recently resprayed, and looking superb, Summerhill Wedding Bus AV419... Sadly not such a nice day for a white wedding... anyone for some Billy Idol?

Sticking with the old reliable...

2008-06-03T23:38:00.004+01:00

Isn't technology fantastic... its changed our lives. However, not everyone seems to trust its merits.

Snapped Donnybrook's Coastal Tour AV327 in Ballsbridge, and while the electronic scroll reads '705 Hotel Shuttle', the trusty paper 'Shuttle' is still on hand to clear up any misunderstandings as to if its a shuttle service of not...

Suppose you'd be hard pressed to find '705' mentioned anywhere so perhaps the back up is required...

Just the ticket...

2008-05-31T22:25:00.002+01:00

While tour bus drivers are usually the ones issuing the tickets, there was a shock for tour bus ticket sellers parked illegally on O'Connell St. this week... A Garda car turned up and ticketed the vehicles for being parked in a bus lane and clearway!

Personally, it annoys the hell out of me that both Dublin Bus & Dualway park along the street blocking bus stops and the traffic flow. While RH103 is sitting proud at its official stop, its the buses parked a long the rest of the street, in particular near the Abbey St. junction which make things dangerous.

Here's hoping the Gardai are working on a more visible campaign to rid the street of this unnecessary tour bus parking!

Dualway puts another ex Dublin Bus RA into service...

2008-05-08T10:43:00.002+01:00

Former Donnybrook RA256 has joined former Clontarf RA273 on tours duties with Dualway.

For more photos, click here.

Phoenix Park shuttle...

2008-05-03T23:04:00.003+01:00

A new shuttle service for the Phoenix Park is now in operation...

A photo feature is now online on the main irishdecker.com site.

I'm lovin' it!

2008-04-21T10:45:00.002+01:00

Incitement to fare evasion! This McDonalds ad has started to appear internally on buses recently, I think its clever marketing... and shows the good value of Dublin Bus fares too!

Trueform for Aircoach

2008-04-17T23:45:00.002+01:00

Aircoach has now followed Dublin Bus and Swords Express by installing new Transport for London style bus stops, manufactured by Trueform Engineering.

They look much better than the old stops, one of which featured on this blog before as it has reached the lowest low, of its timetable being on the ground!

Keep it down!

2008-04-13T22:13:00.003+01:00

Have earphones become too expensive these days???

I have no problem with people listening to music on the bus, I listen to my radio during most journeys, but why do some people have to sit there with their music on loudspeaker so the whole bus can hear it??? If I want to listen to that song, then I'll put it on my own ipod! Then to add insult to injury everyone on the bus was subjected to an attempt to sing along to the song too... Don't give up the day job!!!

Maybe Dublin Bus could invest in some of these TfL style posters...

That little bit...

2008-04-11T22:50:00.004+01:00

If your a bus user (or driver!) and your reading this then you know exactly how this feels...

The bus lane ahead is empty.... but were not moving, you glance forward and the corner of another vehicle is just blocking the bus lane ever so slightly... This small inch means a bus grinds to a halt despite the empty bus lane ahead, and if the way doesn't clear quickly, soon enough there will be a queue of buses waiting... and waiting...

Its so frustrating... and wastes so much time... so if your a motorist reading this please be considerate and keep to the other side of the white line...

New Camera...

2008-04-09T22:43:00.004+01:00

Following on from the last entry of a photo from my first ever digital camera, here's one from my brand new Canon camera...

VT12 on the 46A... a pretty boring photo but with a new camera I was snapping everything around...

Flashback...

2008-04-07T17:34:00.004+01:00

So while setting up my new computer and doing a general tidy up, I came across some CD's with no labels on them, being curious as to what they were I put them in the computer...

Turns out they're from 2004 and are photos taken with my first ever digital camera... Remember the days before digital cameras!

So from Summer 2004, here's WV3 on the 150 in City Imp livery in Fleet St. The RV in the background is on the 14A, both the 14 & 14A were also terminating in Fleet St. at the time.

and we're back!!!

2008-04-03T00:04:00.003+01:00

Well after some technical problems I'm happy to report that we're back online. Apart from some sneaky peaks at work (tut, tut, I hear you say!) and some fiddling with my wonky broadband connection, I was offline and unable to blog, but now all it back to normal! Horray, I hear you say... and what best way to illustrate the problem with my wonky broadband connection than with this wonky picture...

This photo was taken outside Busaras and don't those signs just look fed up, exactly how I felt being offline! Plenty more blogging to come, its great to be back!!!

Lack of updates...

2008-03-28T10:36:00.001Z

Apologies for the lack of updates, my internet connection is down at the moment...

Once the problem is solved normal service will resume...

Thanks!

RV604 now a Ringsender...

2008-03-25T23:52:00.004Z

So there I was minding my own business passing through the city centre this evening when I spotted a 50 to Westbrook in the distance... Gotta be a new to Ringsend RV, and as luck would have it, it was RV604... However, due to peak time pedestrian congestion and some peoples ignorance to a camera I didn't get a photo of it this evening... ah well, there's a few years left in them yet, its the RA's I should have been chasing!

However, rather than no photo I decided to have a look in the archives, and I came across this gem, RV604 on the 270 in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in September 2005 looking great in CitySwift livery. AV375 is the AV on the 39 behind. Enjoy!

On the streets...

2008-03-22T23:25:00.007Z

I've always been a firm believer that providing a bus service is not just about the buses. How you present yourself to your customers is important... one aspect of this comes in the form of street furniture, however, its a bit up and down in Dublin!

A couple of weeks ago Dublin Bus began to install Transport for London (TfL) style bus stops, manufactured by Trueform Engineering, in O'Connell St. These were highly successful and the second phase of the roll out is expected shortly.

Following on from this last week, private operator, Swords Express has installed new, also Truefrom manufactured, bus stops around Swords. These look brilliant and its great to see private operators investing in this infrastructure for their customers.

However, what goes up can often come down (at some some part!). Getting back to O'Connell Street and Aircoach (or First Aircoach now!), have been operating a luxury coach service from the city to the Airport for years... however, while the coaches maybe luxury, the bus stop on Dublin's main thoroughfare is not... in fact its hit rock bottom, or the timetable carousel has...
To add insult to injury the stop also promotes 'serving Park n Ride sites en route'??? So while you journey to the Airport on a luxury Setra coach maybe worth the luxury price, the profit made isn't going back into infrastructure...

Making the Wright choice for Dublin...

2008-03-20T11:00:00.005Z

In case you haven't heard, the latest word is that Dublin Bus have ordered 50 Wrights Geminis, not forgetting the 1 Hybrid Electric Gemini thats due to Dublin shortly.

For this reason, I decided to look through my collection and see what Wright Gemini photos I have, mostly from London were Geminis are very common. However, one picture I came across was of a HEV Wrights Gemini for London, like the one due to Dublin, at the NEC Bus & Coach Show in 2006.

As I said Wrights Geminis have a pig presence in London, here's a few pics of them...Arriva's DW59 at Hyde Park Corner on Route 137 to Oxford Circus.

London General's WVL156 on Route 11 passing along The Strand towards Fulham.

London Central's WVL259 on Route 68 to Euston.

But how could I publish photos of London buses without putting in a shot of an iconic Routemaster...
Arriva's RM2344 on the last day of Routemaster operation on Route 38, at the terminus at Clapton Pond.

Go West...

2008-03-18T21:05:00.004Z

Your probably familiar with those Failte Ireland ads telling us to go West... the one's with the catchy "All these highs and lows" song...

Well this day last week, I was way out West, Sligo to be exact... and there was plenty of highs and lows in my trip!

The train to Sligo was one of these new Wasps (or 22,000's, if your into your trains). The journey was very comfortable and pleasant. However the return journey to Dublin was another story. A commuter train was operating the return trip, and the journey was painful! These trains just aren't suitable for long distance travel, anything more than an hour is too much. As the song by Go West says 'We Close Our Eyes' and clearly eyes were closed when the decision to allocate these trains to InterCity services was made!

Anyway, less of my complaining, back to the point, here is Sligo's ME208 operating the Sligo City Service, Route 478. The days for these Imps in Sligo look limited as DPC109 has transferred in with more DPC's due to replace the remaining Imps...

Paddy's Day '08

2008-03-18T00:19:00.000Z

So, its all over for another year... Hope you had a great Paddy's Day and made the most of the bank holiday, but sure if you didn't, relax, there's another next Monday!

My memories of bank holidays are a visit to Granny's house for dinner where she would take out the 'silver service' for a special occasion, however todays silver service was a different kind...

A UK private operator on Merrion Square... a name like this just proclaims 'posh', and a nice fleet of Van Hools & Mercs too!
Anyway, as I said in yesterdays entry, I went out and about today with the main aim to sample the diversions and get some photos... so to keep my promise, here you go...

While we now take LED destination displays for granted, as they're fitted to all new VT's & EV's, never forget how we got here... trials! AV389 was one such trial and its seen here coming off its temporary terminus of Custom House Quay heading for Newcastle.
Thats it for Paddy's Weekend '08, but before I go, the luck of the Irish goes to a good friend starting a new venture tomorrow (Tuesday), best of luck with it!

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

2008-03-16T23:29:00.000Z

Happy Saint Patrick's Day... begorrah... Isn't is a great day to be Irish!

Right, thats enough of that! Its March 17th a what does that mean... no not leprechauns, bus diversions, and loads of them! Across city centre bus routes will be setting up termini in unusual locations, Cook Street, Wood Quay, Georges Quay, Mountjoy Sqaure to name a few... I'll be heading out to snap a few of these odd workings but in the meantime enjoy a goodie from last year... AV174 on the 4 & Av29 on the 19 on City Quay...

Happy Paddy's Day!

Something old, new, borrowed & blue!

2008-03-16T11:37:00.000Z

To kick off my new 'blogging' venture I decided to have a look through the archives for a photo.

Here is RH60 on the 19A in May 2005:

something old, RH60 no longer with Dublin Bus.
something new, this blog!
something borrowed, RH60 wasn't always Phibsboro bus.
something blue... well clutching at straws but the livery of two tone blue... and yellow...

Welcome

2008-03-15T22:39:00.000Z

Welcome to the irishdecker.com blog, our new way of keeping you updated on the current Irish bus scene. Most updates will now centre around this blog, and we hope you enjoy reading it.

Talk soon!