Following the end of the Ryder Cup in September 2006, Dublin Bus Conyngham Road Garage withdrew its 9 strong fleet of Volvo B10B's the VA class. All 9 of these Alexander Setanta's were moved to Broadstone pending transfer to Bus Eireann for schools duties, in a similar arrangement to the similar bodied AD class.
In October 2006, Bus Eireann moved VA 1, 4, 5 & 6 to Capwell Garage in Cork for further use in scheduled services on short hop commuter services. The VA class had recently been refurbished at Conyngham with both external spraying into the new Dublin Bus core colours & internal cleaning, so were suitable for further use instantly. By November 2006, the VA's at Cork have entered service operating mainly Cork City services & are being gradually fitted with front dmd's
VA
class
The VA's remaining at Broadstone.....VA 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 will also enter service on scheduled Bus Eireann services instead of school buses duties ( which would require new seat belted seating & centre doors sealed.
Bus Eireann intends to operating the Broadstone based VA's on :
VA 9 is seen making an appearance at Blancharstown Shopping Centre on Saturday 11th November 2006, although it did not enter service on route 104 that day.
Rear view of VA 9 at the route 104 Blanchardstown shopping Centre terminus, as it jostled for position while some private coaches were parked in the Dublin Bus/ Bus Eireann busbay.
The Dublin Bus logos have been removed & the bodywork is in very good condition.
Interior view of VA 9
The interior bucket seating was in excellent condition, the floor spotless & the overall appearance of the bus in superb condition.
The Dublin Bus autofare box & part of the drivers security screen has been removed.
After many years of operating the 78A to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, the VA class could be now operating from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, still in the Dublin Bus livery.
