2024 - Update 11:
Broadstone's PA1 is seen operating the first departure of Route
70, the 8am from Dunboyne on the first day of Broadstone
operation, the 7th April 2024 (click on photo for larger
version).
On the 7th April, Routes 37, 38/A/B/D and 70, which were one of the Phibsboro blocks of routes, moved to Broadstone depot operation. Though the sight of Broadstone buses on these routes isn't very unusual, especially for Route 70 which has had some level of Broadstone operation up to present time (peak hour "Euros"), not so in recent times for the 37 or 38s. For example PA1 in the photo above has most definately done the 70 before, but it is a sight that will be a lot more regular moving forward.
Broadstone's PA4 is seen operating Route 38 on the Blackcourt
Road Corduff on the first Route 38 departure from Damastown on the
7th April 2024 (click on photo for larger version).
Broadstone's PA17 is seen operating Route 37 on Castleknock Road
on the 7th April 2024 (click on photo for larger version).
The reason for moving these routes to Broadstone is to free up space in Phibsboro for the ramp up on electric bus operation. A number of buses have also transferred, the 37 has a PVR of 11 not counting Harristown peak-hour Euros, the 38/70 has a PVR of 17 again not counting the Harristown and Broadstone Euros which fill in at peak-hours. A full list of bus transfers from Phibsboro to Broadstone is not available, I will update this feature towards the end of the week when the picture becomes clearer, but based on today's operation at least PA43-48, PA50, PA51, SG142, SG143, SG145, SG146 have transferred along with the routes.
Phibsboro's VG4 is seen operating Route 38A in Blanchardstown
Main Street on the last day of Phibsboro operation, the 6th April
2024 (click on photo for larger version).
Phibsboro's GT150 is seen operating Route 70 on the Navan Road on
the 6th April 2024 (click on photo for larger version).
As can be seen, the first pull outs on all the newly acquired routes were PAs from the original Route 140, PA1-20 batch. Only in recent times has it become in any way common to see these buses off Route 140 and peak hour Euros, but one would imagine with the influx of PAs into the depot, the PAs in Broadstone will be even more free to move around the other routes of the depot.
Phibsboro's SG551 is seen operating Route 37 on Skreen Road on
the 6th April 2024 (click on photo for larger version).