Bus Eireann purchased 20 of these Mercedes Citaro low floor buses in 2000, the first 12 going to Limerick, while Galway received MC 13-20.
Along with the allocation to Galway with DPC class Dennis Pointers, they allowed for the withdrawl of KC/ R from city services.
Bus Eireann
Mercedes Citaro
MC class - MC 20 at Galway
The Citaro features a roomy interior with high ceiling & low floor as far as the rear axle. Incorporating wheelchair/ buggy space, numerours yellow stauncheons & grab handles on each seat back, complete with Bus Eireann corporate trim on all seating.
MC 20 ( 00 D 98898) is seen above at the Salthill terminus, outside Aras Botharna Tra on Dr Mannix Road, before returning via Galway City as a route 8 to Mervue.
The Citaro class ( 0530 ) replaced the trusty 0405 ( some of which are still operated by Translink in Belfast ) in late 1999. Today the Mercedes Citaro is rapidly appearing in service all over Europe from Marseille to Maastricht in city services. There is also an articulated version, known as the 0530G, operating in Dublin Airport to the long term carparks.
Rear view of MC 20 at Salthill with a mega rear advertisement for the Irish TV channel TV3 featuring some of its personalities....Trevor Welsh, Alan Cantwell, Lorraine Keane, Claire Bryne & of course Martin King.
