Dublin Bus operates route 33B from Swords Main Street via Donabate to Portrane in North County Dublin.
Route 33B was previously a spur of long distance route 33 to Skerries & Balbriggan with the 33B linking remote Donabate & Portane with the Dublin Bus network. The area was also served by short stint route 33C from Donabate Railway Station to Portane, although this has since been cancelled.
With the opening of the new garage at Harristown near Dublin Airport in November 2004, route 33B was transferred, along with other Summerhill routes 17A & 230 to the new facility.
Route 33B traditionally operated a Portane/ Donbate/ Skerries routing in the 90's with selected services on a Sunday operating into Dublin City Centre.
With the operation from Harristown now, the timetable generally operates on a half hour frequency with 2 buses required & hourly off peak.
During the last days of Summerhill operation, it used the DAF SB220 AD class on the route, but Harristown allocated Volvo Olympians to the route now.
With the spiraling housing developments with the area's, the service is well patronised.
RV 450 is seen pictured above at the 33B turning circle at Portane.
Former Phibsboro Garage Volvo Olympian RV 450 ( 99 D 450 ) is pictured operating the route in 2005, now based at Harristown.
Upper deck view & the interior is in spotless condition.
Rear view of RV 450 at the terminus at Portane. This area is known as " The Burrow " or Burrow Road. Beyond the terminus, the road narrows & not suitable for buses, especially deckers. In both directions from Portane, the 33B takes two curious detours, firstly via St Ita's Hospital in Portane which is up a narrow road along cottages into the hospital grounds & right up to the Hospital's main entrance door literally. Another circular detour is up to Seaview Park housing estate overlooking the coast.
Similar RV 540, also a Phibsboro transferee, is seen at the main Swords Main Street stop, close to the Lord Mayors Pub in the Village in October 2005. Route 33B uses the first roundabout into Swords as its turning point for the return trips.
