I'm still not sure whether they are entering passenger service tomorrow (Thursday, 12/1/23).
I’d expect a lot of PR before they do, so I doubt it is tomorrow.
Launching Friday 20th.
https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/01/11/irelands-first-electric-bus-fleet-will-be-on-athlone-streets-later-this-month/
https://twitter.com/Buseireann/status/1613582080075599872
Bus born
I saw one of the new looking Dublin Buses driving up the North Quays aroun 9:15am this morning with the destination scroll displaying '19.12.22' for some reason. Anbody know why?!
Could be the update version of the destination displays.
The EW came down for inspection related to the Next Generation Ticketing, along with other NTA liveried buses.
Is there any detail on what "next gen ticketing" entails?
What we should of having years ago, contactless payment via phone, card watch, apple, google, plus more.
What brand are the new ticket machines. Are they Wayfarers or something different?
Interestingly enough, that EA in the photos is for Dublin Bus, not Bus Eireann. Wonder why DB got the mirror cameras on the EAs, but not the EWs?
Nice, I'd assume to allow the companies competing for the tenders to see how and where their ticket machines and validators need to fit.
At this late stage, is there any further update on whether the EAs are making their debut in Athlone tomorrow (Friday, 20/1/23)?
Doubtful, word on the street is the PA class in Dublin are not been charged at all, and have not been charged since they entered service...
The three hydrogen examples in Bus Eireann Broadstone are going, dead milage to be topped up. You could not make it up.
They should really get more PAs to fill the gap until the infrastructure for the electrics is ready. 06 AXs are far too old to be in passenger service (I know that will piss some of the bus spotters off)
BÉ have just tweeted this:
I have never seen a PA or PAD plugged in. I know that in Limerick and Galway, they are parked in close formation like every other bus. AFAIK there are no charging points installed yet outside of Athlone.
Couple of stories in the news today from the launch. I'm on one of the routes and it's the old blue and yellow bus I've seen passing so far today.
As per the RTE article - they’ll commence in service on the 29th of January.
Today was the publicity launch.
It's an "Irish Launch" so. I imagine when most of us think of the verb "to launch", we have visions of ships trundling down slipways while hats are thrown in the air, reports being handed out to journalists etc........... In this case, the bus returns to its parking spot!
I noted that 18 chargers have been installed so I presume that this is future proofing.
"It's an "Irish Launch" so. I imagine when most of us think of the verb "to launch", we have visions of ships trundling down slipways while hats are thrown in the air, reports being handed out to journalists etc........... In this case, the bus returns to its parking spot!"
In fairness when a ship launches like that, they are purely ceremonial, it normally doesn't enter active "service" either. Depending on the size and type of ship, it can still go through, weeks, months or even years (for the likes of Aircraft Carriers) of outfitting and sea trials before actually entering service.
"Doubtful, word on the street is the PA class in Dublin are not been charged at all, and have not been charged since they entered service..."
Disappointing to hear, but even without being plugged in, they still operate as hybrid buses, so still should be more fuel efficient then straight Diesel. Also they don't need to be plugged in to operate as zero emission vehicles in zero emissions zones in future if required.
This was one of the images on Wrightbus Facebook page from November of last year.
It's showing the rear of the EW on the factory floor in Ballymena.
lets hope the Build Quality is better on these than the First bus Glasgow version where they Leaked like a Sieve in the Wet
Eamon Ryan has mentioned in his IT article about the GDA Transport Strategy that the rollout of the new electric buses for BÉ will take place in Limerick and Galway very soon.
The only thing holding it back so far is with the installing of the new electric charging points for the bus depots in those two counties.
Does anyone have any info about when that work to install the chargers will take place?
It does appear going from Éamon Ryan's word on the matter that this work will relatively quickly as soon as the buses are rolled out for service in Athlone from Sunday.
What's happened to the Streetlites the new electric buses have displaced
They’re still in service in Athlone until the weekend and probably will remain as a backup for a short period.
They will then move to Carlow for the new town service there in the coming months.
I heard talk of a Carlow service alright but wasn't sure if it was actually going ahead or not. Is this service going to be BE operated or will it be tendered out like the Kilkenny service is?
It was tendered and BE have won the tender.
Don't know if it was actually in service or training, but spotted one of the new buses pass the house today.
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