Video 1 : Parkgate Street & entering the Phoenix Park
Video 3 : Phoenix Park & departure
Parkgate Street
Dublin Zoo
Farmleigh
Papal Cross
Phoenix Park
Visitor Centre & Car Park
Dublin Zoo
Parkgate Street
In May 2008, a new shuttle bus was introduced by the Office of Public Works operating into the 700 hectares of Dublin's Phoenix Park, offering an alternative public transport option around the park, including Dublin Zoo, the Papal Cross, Farmleigh & the Phoenix Parks' own visitor centre.
Three specially selected easy access low floor single deckers operate the shuttle, which departs from Parkgate Street seven days a week every half hour & operate a circular service around the park. The buses are run on low emission liquid petroleum gas ( LPG ) & feature a wheelchair ramp for disabled access.
Three East Lancs Myllennium bodied DAF SB220 powered by LPG, which originally operated routes M1& M1 from London Millennium Dome from London General's New Cross Garage, were imported to Ireland by First ( Ireland ) & received a specially commissioned overall wrap by T.I. Design, featuring the Phoenix Park monument & deer.
99 D 88621 turns at the end of Parkgate Street .
The LPG pods on the roof of the bus
Interior view of the East Lancs, with the London styled seating trim.
The Myllennium features a non step floor up to the centre doors, which are fitted with a wheelchair lift for disabled access.
The buses are also fitted with air con although this has been disconnected due to technical problems
The wheelchair area is located forward of the centre doors, allowing easy access & included a high back cushion rest & grab rail for stability.
This area is also designed for buggies when not occupied by a wheelchair.
Rear view looking forward
The buses are fitted with an LCD towards the front of the bus which runs an audio visual film throughout the route, indicating the next stop & attractions around the Phoenix Park
Plenty of storage space over both wheel arches at the front of this bus & advertised as buddy storage
99D 88621 enters the Phoenix Park at Parkgate Street heading to Dublin Zoo.
To the right of the photo, a new bike hire facility has just been opened operated by Celtic Trails offering low cost bicycle & rollerblade hire.
Around the Phoenix Park, there is recently upgraded cycle tracks covering the entire park.
2 euro fare - all day ticket - hop on hop off
The 3 Mylleniums are augmented by conventional diesel powered Mercedes Citaro's from the Aircoach Airport fleet.
03 D 36162 is seen operating the Phoenix Park shuttle during May 2008
Sadly, the Phoenix Park shuttle has been underperforming since its introduction in May 2008. Media reports highlighted that only 17,345 people had used the service in the first four months, an average of 101 a day, with numbers dwindling all the time. The cost of the service during that time was already €180,000 & given the tightening budgets with the recession, the whole operation was under review, with a possibility to only operating the service at the weekends or even complete cessation of the shuttle
Update 4/5/09
As expected due to poor patronage, the Phoenix Park Shuttle timetable was reduced in frequency, now just requiring one bus.
The service still operates along the same route, with an hourly departure.
The new timetable, effective 5th Deb 2009
Monday to Friday 7.00 hrs until last bus at 18.00 hrs from Parkgate Street
Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:00 hrs until last bus at 18.00 hrs from Parkgate Street
