Bus Eireann, Ireland's national bus operator won the tender to operate the 4 Park N Ride services in Waterford for the Tall Ships Races 2005.
Along with Bus Eireann's own fleet of buses, a variety of private operators were subcontracted. Also included in the hire in was 15 double decker Volvo B7TL's supplied by Dublin Bus. Donnybrook Garage supplied all 15, fleet numbers AV 259- 264 & 387-395. AV 259- 264 had recently been resprayed from Cityswift livery to the new Dublin Bus core colours, while AV 387- 395 were only delivered last year, both groups turned out in very smart appearance.....
Seen above, Dublin Bus AV 390 leads the convoy on Friday morning down from Bus Eireann's Waterford Garage to take up service for the day.
Seen alongside is AV 391 seen loading at the Park n Ride site at the IDA Technical Park, known as the RED car park on the south west side of Waterford City.
Buses load & leave on demand with a steady stream of passengers. Its Friday around 2 pm with buses departing every 5 minutes approx.
The dot matrix displays alternate from...
Park & Ride to Red Car Park.
Donnybrook AV 261 is seen on Parnell Street, close to Waterford City Centre. This is the terminus for 2 Park & Rides. The mainly Dublin Bus RED route terminating on one side of the street, while private operators carrying passengers to car park B on the Airport Road on the opposite side.
Parnell Street is long with ample parking for approaching buses, thanks to traffic restrictions in the area & also served by local Bus Eireann services such as the 2 & 610 to Ballybeg/ Waterford Institute of Technology.
Donnybrook AV 392 seen resting at the IDA Technical Business Park, turned into the " A " park & ride car park. Its located along the N 25 towards Cork , past the world famous Waterford Crystal factory, Ballybeg housing estate & by far the furthest away of all 4 facilities, yet thanks to inbound ad hoc bus lanes, the trip time is only about 20 minutes.
With ample parking for both cars on the grass & the Dublin Bus's along the perimeter road, it was well supervised with security & at the bus stop by inspectors.
Donnybrooks AV 260 approaches Parnell Street, which is the city terminus for the Park n Ride buses.
Seen in the background is Waterford's newest nightclub Oxygen.
All 4 routes are free after some controversy by the city authorities trying to charge both car users & residents 5 euros each per day to use the service.
Finally, an impressive view, as AV 387 leads the group, lined up ready to take up service on demand.
The service was flawless, with the Dublin Buses operating through the festival from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th July 2005. The first shift began around 11 am with the entire batch in service by 2 pm as numbers swelled.
The AV's returned to Donnybrook on Saturday 9th July.
