Bus Eireann introduced 3 new Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse bodywork on Galway local services in August 2007.
Following a media launch with the Minister of Transport on the 2nd August 2007, the three buses were allocated to new route 9 which operates from Eyre Square via the new Dublin Bus bus lane to Doughiska.
VWL 152 is seen above at the set down at Parkmore Industrial Estate, the outer terminus for new route 9.
The new Volvo B7RLE features a revised offside emergency exit towards the centre of the bus, thereby allowing a tidier interior especially towards the rear of the bus.
Bus Eireann route 9 operates from the Parkmore roundabout every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday with a 30 minute frequency on Sunday.
In total, Bus Eireann are purchasing 48 Volvo B7RLE's, this first batch is from dealer stock & is not to exact Bus Eireann specification. These 13 " dealer batch "VWL class arrived in July, with the balance due at the end of 2007.
VWL 157 is seen above at the Parkmore route 9 terminus. As with all new Bus Eireann deliveries, the VWL's feature a mobitec LED & AdBlue.
Allocations
( August 2007 )
VWL 145 Waterford
VWL 146 Waterford
VWL 147 Cork
VWL 148 Galway
VWL 149 Cork
VWL 150 Limerick
VWL 151 Cork
VWL 152 Galway
VWL 153 Cork
VWL 154 Limerick
VWL 155 Waterford
VWL 156 Waterford
VWL 157 Galway
Interior of the new Bus Eireann Eclipse, with a smarter rear interior thanks to the offside emergency relocated towards the centre of the bus. As the buses are from dealer stock, they are not fitted with the traditional Bus Eireann corporate trim.
VWL 148, the third bus currently allocated to Galway for route 9 rests at busy Galway bus & railway station. By August 2007, only Galway, Cork & Waterford are operating the new VWL class.
VWL 152 at the new purpose built bus interchange along the resculpted Eyre Square.
See & hear the sounds of the new Volvo B7RLE on route 9 :
