Throwback Thursday (222)
It is 1996 and AD 53 is seen in Dun Laoghaire on the decidedly non-City Swift route 45A. Route 45 started between the City Centre and Bray (going via Blackrock) in 1927 and lasted until 2012. The 45A started running between Dun Laoghaire and Bray (via Sallynoggin and Shankill) in 1942 and still with us today. For many years it terminated at Ballywaltrim, but in 2015 it swapped terminii with the 145 and moved to Kilmacanogue. In 2018 Go-Ahead Ireland took over operation of the route. One notable feature of the route was one departure a day in each direction that went via Shanganagh Cliffs in Shankill, That still continues under Go-Ahead Ireland but is now designated route 45B.
AD 53 was delivered new to Dublin Bus in 1994. They were Alexander bodies on DAF chassis and operated throughout the city, mainly on CitySwift routes. Some were also bought for Airlink and route 90 Stationlink. Although it is in CitySwift livery, AD 53 is unbranded as Donnybrook only had one CitySwift route (the 46A) and that was unsuitable for single-deckers. Hence these buses appeared on a variety of other routes, such as the 45A. In 1999 it and AD 54 were placed onto the icon Shuttle to Leopardstown but it only lasted until late-2000. AD 53 ended its career in standard Dublin Bus livery. Withdrawals of the ADs from Dublin Bus started in 2004 and finished in 2005, with most ending up on Bus Eireann school services.
It is worth noting the footbridge in the background. This was the main entrance / exit to the station and platforms in Dun Laoghaire. A man used to stand on the bridge to check tickets. Now a more substantial structure straddles the railway. 09/04/1996
Throwback Thursday (222)
It is 1996 and AD 53 is seen in Dun Laoghaire on the decidedly non-City Swift route 45A. Route 45 started between the City Centre and Bray (going via Blackrock) in 1927 and lasted until 2012. The 45A started running between Dun Laoghaire and Bray (via Sallynoggin and Shankill) in 1942 and still with us today. For many years it terminated at Ballywaltrim, but in 2015 it swapped terminii with the 145 and moved to Kilmacanogue. In 2018 Go-Ahead Ireland took over operation of the route. One notable feature of the route was one departure a day in each direction that went via Shanganagh Cliffs in Shankill, That still continues under Go-Ahead Ireland but is now designated route 45B.
AD 53 was delivered new to Dublin Bus in 1994. They were Alexander bodies on DAF chassis and operated throughout the city, mainly on CitySwift routes. Some were also bought for Airlink and route 90 Stationlink. Although it is in CitySwift livery, AD 53 is unbranded as Donnybrook only had one CitySwift route (the 46A) and that was unsuitable for single-deckers. Hence these buses appeared on a variety of other routes, such as the 45A. In 1999 it and AD 54 were placed onto the icon Shuttle to Leopardstown but it only lasted until late-2000. AD 53 ended its career in standard Dublin Bus livery. Withdrawals of the ADs from Dublin Bus started in 2004 and finished in 2005, with most ending up on Bus Eireann school services.
It is worth noting the footbridge in the background. This was the main entrance / exit to the station and platforms in Dun Laoghaire. A man used to stand on the bridge to check tickets. Now a more substantial structure straddles the railway. 09/04/1996