City Centre - Bank Holiday Weekend 25/26th October:

Bank Holiday Monday 26th of October saw a vast array of changes made to the Dublin Bus network. Dublinbusstuff tried to be out and about on the morning of the event, however just like the would-be belle of the ball didn't exactly make it on time. Most of the diversions, especially on the northside were gone and the weather was inclement and hazzy. However, not all was lost, and one or two unusual sightings were made.


VG50 boarding passengers on College Green as part of the Marathon Diversions on the 26th October 2009.


AV292 heading inbound towards Aston Quay on Parliament Street on the 26th October 2009.


Included only for its location, this hazzy and underlit scene shows EV26 on the 145 on Dame Street on the 26th October 2009.


In the same location as EV26, AV397 is operating the 746 to Dublin Airport operating via Dame Street as part of the Marathon Diversions on the 26th October 2009.

Harristown's RV562 was observed on its normal routing on College Street. The photo typifies the Dublin marathon. One lane for runners, one lane for traffic and pedestrians basically doing what they want to and getting in the way.


RV562 on the 83 on College Green on the 26th October 2009.

Some less unusual sightings on the 26th October:


AV415 on the 51B alighting passengers at the Central Bank on the 26th October 2009.


EV51 on the 69 on the 26th October 2009.


AV224 on the 39 to Ongar seen on Dame Street on the 25/10/2009.

Of specific interest was AV20 operating on Route 3. Routes 2 and 3 had previously been the lone haunt of the Ringsend EVs, however these buses appear now on a wider variety of routes. The wedding buses are now principally allocated to these routes (see Armed and Dangerous 3). More AVs are showing up on Route 3 bus still a low number 00 D like AV20 is still unusual.


AV20 on Westmoreland Street operating Route 3 on the 25th October 2009.

Another unusual sighting was VG50 on George's Quay. Either this was very much off route or it in fact was not in service. Nobody in visible on board the bus in the photograph and I've no recollection of seeing anyone. So more than likely it was taken up duty in O'Connell Street.

This photo is also a tip on how not to take a photo. You see in Dublin, the main junctions rise up above the normal road height, i.e. there is a slight incline. There's no good reason for it, it just seems to be the case. So VG50 was prime in sight however as it took off it rose up a slight bit. So the photo is off centred. Also maybe a slight bit was taken off the top, I can't tell.


VG50 on George's Quay on the 26th October 2009.

The Marathon Day wasn't all overcast and gloomy. There was a couple of breaks in the cloud. RV550 glistens in the sun operating Route 16 on O'Connell Street. Note the old destination of Grange Road.


RV550 on Route 16 to Kingston on the 26th October 2009.

The Sightseeing Tours do allow more variation into an other wise very modern city bus fleet. 18 year old vintage RH86 is seen on "Ticket Duties" with Trinity College Dublin providing a very fitting background. I doubt there are many cities in the world where 18 year old buses would be considered vintage for their sightseeing tours.


RH86 on Sightseeing Duties on the 25th October 2009.

An interesting operation was SC64 on the 100X with "Comhaltas on Tour 2009" advertised. Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.


SC64 boarding passengers on Custom House Quay on the 100X on the 26th October 2009.

Turning heads around town for the last few months has been Logan's Executive Travel's Plaxton Elites on Volvo B12B chasis which operate on CIE Tours. These impressive buses represent a new leap forward in luxury coach comfort. One such example YN09HRJ was around Dublin on the Bak Holiday weekend on a private hire.


An offside shot of Logan's Plaxton Elite on Mountjoy Square on the 26th October 2009.


A front/nearside shot of YN09HRJ on O'Connell Street on the 25th October 2009.


A read/nearside shot of YN09HRJ on O'Connell Street on the 25th October 2009.

Finally a rare find was WV28 on an otherwise closed Kildare Street operative a Private Hire on the day of the Marathon. Whatever the Elite bus means I don't know, maybe the WV was dreaming of being a Plaxton Elite. Maybe in the next life...


WV28 operating a Private Hire on Kildare Street on the 26th October 2009.

N.B. This website is not affiliated with Dublin Bus. The information contained herein is intended for enthusiast reference. For all current timetable and route information please refer to the official Dublin Bus Website.