Photo of the Week - Week 20:


Phibsboro's AV443 is seen on St. Stephen's Green North on a Private Hire on the 15th December 2012 having been hired to bring a choir for some festive carol singing outside the Mansion House.

Dublin Bus have placed two AV-class deckers into an overall wrap for it Community Spirit Initiative. The AVs chosen are Phibsboro's AV443 and AV444. The livery is overall white, with some vibrant colours on the sides representing the Community Spirit logo. Overall the livery is quite attractive. It is unusual also in that its the first vehicles since AV397 to have an AOA applied to the front of the bus. This is most likely due to these buses not actually being used in regular service, but are instead reserved for private hire work. Inside they are fitted with seat belts, due to a requirement being introduced from 31 October 2011 for all buses involved in the organised transport of children to be fitted with the appropriate safety belts or restraint systems for the number of children being transported. The buses also have extra padding material on inside handrails, something recently introduced with the GT-class.


AV443 had only recently received its AOA when this photo was taken in Broadstone Depot on the 7th October 2012. Its posed along with AV444, which had been equipped with seat-belts as per AV443 at this stage, though it was a number of months before AV444 also received the AOA.


Phibsboro's AV444 is seen on College Green on the 11th May 2013.

Dublin Bus's Community Spirit Initiative is a commendable part of the Semi-State company. As Dublin's major transport provider, Dublin Bus has been an important supporter of community and social initiatives by among other things, providing transport. Other elements of this community work include the Community Spirit Awards which provide cash donations to charities and voluntary groups. Dublin Bus also host a penalty shoot-out competition during the summer months with former Republic of Ireland footballer Niall Quinn for children involved in community summer projects.


A rear shot of AV443 on St. Stephen's Green on the 15th December 2012.

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