AW 3 ( 00 D 65003 ) of Harristown Garage seen at route 129's Baldoyle terminus about to operate the final evening 16.10 departure to Waterloo Road Summer 2005.
Following trials of a First Group UK Manchester Wright bodied low floor artic in 1999 ( S111FML - fleet number 2001 ), Dublin Bus purchased 20 with revised Fusion bodies which were delivered in December 2000 & stored in Broadstone.
The 20 AW's were launched into service in March 2001 on a variety of routes, including the 90 between Heuston & Connolly Station.
New peak time Monday to Friday routes were also created to be operated by the AW class, including route 65C operating from Parnell Square via the 65/ 65B routing, terminating at The Square in Tallaght.
On the Northside, new routes 127 & 129 were introduced operating from Clare Hall & Baldoyle/ Donaghmede. Both routes provided extra capacity along the Malahide Road corridor & provided passengers with links to the southside of the City Centre.
AW 3 swings around from Burgh Quay onto D' Olier Street without much difficulty despite the tight turn.
AW 3 was on show at the Irish Transport Trust annual Bus & Coach Rally at Cultra. Interior shots above & below.
The AW's despite being maintained to a high standard have suffered the effects of the graffiti artist, especially at the rear compartment. Damage in this area really became a problem when the AW's were allocated to route 10 but a recent " clean up " & lick of paint to the rear internal panels has given a fresh appearance.
On Monday 29th July 2002, a significant change took place with route 10 being converted from decker to artic operation. The entire batch of 20 AW's were transferred to route 10 ( Belfield- City Centre- Phoenix Park ).
The AW's continued to be parked in Broadstone & maintained in Phibsboro using specially extended pit facilities.
Previous AW euro duties such as the 39B, 90/ 90A, 127/129 reverted to ALX400 AV double decker operation at Broadstone.
This change meant previously Monday to Friday AW peak operation changed to 7 day a week full day service for the AW class, with a heavy presence in Dublin City Centre on high profile & demand route 10.
With the opening of new Harristown Garage in November 2004, the AW class were transferred there from Broadstone, while route 10 moved back to Phibsboro Garage & to traditional double deckers.
AW 3 pictured at Wilton Terrace " As Seirbhis - Out of Service "
While routes 127 & 129 terminate at Waterloo Road, its not possible to layover here, so duties rest at Wilton Terrace where there is ample parking along the Grand Canal. This location is also close to the first stop on Leeson Street for the 127 & 129.
Despite the huge carrying potential & head turning the AW class create, the initial euphoria for these bendi's has long gone. A combination of Dublin's narrow streets & passengers unwillingness to wade down the bus has meant the class hasn't reached its full potential & the future for the 20 artic's looks uncertain with Dublin Bus.
Current euro duty workings for the class, limited to peak hours Monday to Friday & no weekend operation don't warrant such a valuable bus to be lying idle so long.
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