Special Olympics Route123

Its not often a route radically changes without some sort of publicity, route or timetable change, however route 123 temporarily transformed during June 2003.

Route 123 was traditionally operated by WV low floor Volvo B6BLE Wright Crusader midibuses. With the arrival of the Special Olympics World Games to Ireland in 2003, the Broadstone based WV class WV 21- 40 were commissioned to operate a special " intervenue shuttle " for the athletes between the various game venue's. Current deliveries of Volvo ALX 400's had just been stored at Broadstone & were allocated to route 123 in the form of AV 288- 307 to cover for the loss of the WV class.

Here is a feature on the various AV's operating route 123 during a brief period in June 2003.

AV 304 now part of the Phibsboro Garage fleet is seen in the above too photos on O' Connell Street lower at the former 123 stop.

The bus is spotless with that just delivered feeling just being in service 4 days on route 123 at this stage.

AV 301 is seen above on Cathal Brugha Street in front of a Phibsboro MV class Mercedes Vario Eurocoach minibus.

None of the AV's received adframes during the Broadstone stint. AV 301 would later transfer to Conyngham Road & later back to Broadstone to operate euro duties with some workings back on the 123.

AV 301 now operates from Phibsboro Garage following the closure of Broadstone depot.

AV 301 is seen above on Cathal Brugha Street in front of a Phibsboro MV class Mercedes Vario Eurocoach minibus.

None of the AV's received adframes during the Broadstone stint. AV 301 would later transfer to Conyngham Road & later back to Broadstone to operate euro duties with some workings back on the 123.

AV 301 now operates from Phibsboro Garage following the closure of Broadstone depot.

AV 291 passed the Philips shop on Dame Street on the 15th June 2003. By the stage, route 123 is almost converted with the WV's away receiving " intervenue shuttle " decals & having their dmd's re programmed to display the various routes for the games.

AV 291 is now part of Conyngham Road garage as part of batch AV 288-298 there.

AV 289 seen on the first day in service, 12th June 2003. While the first few AV's were in service this day, all were filtered off the route as dusk fell as the WV's remained on the route to cover the night timetable.

AV 289 is seen heading back special to Broadstone Garage at Fairview Church.

By the 6th July, the batch of AV's ( 288- 307 ) had returned to storage at Broadstone with wayfarer's removed & WV's back on route 123. The AV's would later move to Conyngham Road while Ringsend Garage took delivery of AV 308 upwards.

Brand new VOLVO ALX 400, AV 288 seen on its first day in service Thursday 12th June 2003 at the 123 terminus at Griffith Avenue, Marino.

With the allocation of Broadstone's 20 low floor single decker WV class to duties for the Special World Olympic Games 2003 being held in Ireland, recently delivered new AV class gradually replaced operations on the 123.

While the floor has taken some of the daily punishment of dirty Dubliners, the smell of fresh upholstery & sparkling fittings on a very humid evening made the short spin to the City Centre well worthwhile.

One of the most noticeable changes upstairs is the black spheres at the front dome & towards the rear of the vehicle. Following trails on AV 282, this years batch of AV class feature improved security cameras, in protected casing & less intrusive.

Also features new LED " bus stopping " displays ( as AW class ) once the bell button is pressed.

AV 288 has just arrived in the City Centre, shortly after 7.20 pm at its temporary stop on Upper O' Connell Street, on a non timetabled Marino- City Centre service.

Traffic congestion in the Fairview area has caused a number of short stint City Centre only services.

By 9 pm, these AV's have been sent back to Broadstone for the evening & route 123 is operated by a mix of WV's ( still not transfered to Olympic duties ) & Olympians.

AV 288 front dot matix display shows bilingual English/ Irish....... Out of Service / As Seirbhis.

Rear view of AV 288 before it quickly departs.

None of the adframes have or will be fitted with ads at Broadstone because of their only temporary allocation there during the Special Olympics, giving the AV's a very clean & polished look.

There is only minor bodywork adjustments.......

wheel arch surrounds, improved visibilty rear light panels & the loss of the traditional ALEXANDER replaced with a very tacky plastic TRANSBUS badge, front & rear.

Along with ALX400's AV 288 to 307 on route 123, there was also some additional Broadstone Olympians allocated. Cityswift RV 573 followed by RV 592 follow each other around Westmoreland Street.

RV 573 is fitted with the older style Vultron destination equipment, hence the thicker font, while RV 582 in the distance has the newer Hannover display.