Dublin Bus Conyngham Road Volvo B7TL, AX 353 ( 03 D 50353 ) was sprayed from Cityswift to Wedding Bus livery in April 2006 following an absence of wedding buses from the garage.
AX 353 was originally delivered to Conyngham Road Garage in 2003 as part of batch AV 351- 362 ( since reclassified to AX ). AV 351- 358 were delivered in Cityswift livery, while 359-362 were in core Dublin Bus blue/ cream with extra luggage racking downstairs for service on Railinkroute 90.
AX 353 inherits the Wedding Bus tradition at Conyngham Road previously held by AV 226 & 227 which have since been resprayed into Dublin Bus core colours.
AX 353
Rear view of AX 353 with the latest blue cloud effect Wedding Bus advertisement boards & grey skirt. The grey colour is a slightly different shade to the normal & uniquely the front bumper is also sprayed. The respray was completed by Freeney's Graphics of Tallaght, Dublin who have been responsible for transforming the Dublin Bus fleet into the new fleet colours.
AX 353 is seen above at Wilton Terrace, off Leeson Street on Saturday 6th May 2006 at its new route 92 terminus. The terminus was extended from its short term set down on Stephen Green.
Route 92 was launched into service using WV class midibuses operated from Donnybrook before the route was transferred to Conyngham Road Garage & full size double deckers especially the AV/ AX class operate the route.
Outbound, route 92 operates around St Stephens Green, up Leeson Street & turn left just short of Leeson Street bridge at the Grand Canal into Wilton Terrace & a new dedicated bus terminus. This area was also a popular set down location for routes 127 & 129 when it was operated by the artics requiring plenty of parking space !!!.
On the return trip to Heuston Station, its a sharp left turn off Wilton Terrace onto Cumberland Road, Fitzwilliam Place & back onto Leesson Street heading for the Green.
While Wedding Bus livery on the outside, the interiors remain unchanged allowing the buses to be used for ordinary services. Floral displays are added to the handrails during Wedding Bus duties.
AX 353 has been mainly confined to operating from Heuston on the 90 & 92 & some stints on the 25A which are less liable to internal vandalism.
Euroliner wheel trims are fitted to the Wedding & Tours fleet for added effect.
