EA Class:

Phibsboro's EA15 is seen preparing for the first EA-operated departure, the 0900 Route 99 departure from the Phoenix Park VIsitor Centre on the 6th August 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

The EA-class have been long awaited. Manufactured in 2022, EA1-11 were put onto the Athlone Town Service from the 29th January 2023. The remainder of the batch of 45 are for Dublin Bus and principally the O city orbital service operating out of Phibsboro Depot. However, with no definitive start date for the O, Phibsboro have taken the initiative and put them into operation on Route 99. This route has a single-bus PVR. EA15 took the honours of the first day of operation.

Phibsboro's EA15 is seen at the Parkgate Street terminus of Route 99 on the 6th August 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

The EA-class represent the first full length single-deck bus for the Dublin Bus fleet since 1998 and the arrival of VL6. Single-deckers since then have either been midi-buses (WV or WS class) or articulated single-deckers (AW). The EAs are Alexander Dennis built Enviro200EV battery-electric buses utilising BYD battery technology. They are 12m long and can accomodate 73 passengers (of which 33 can be seated). Travelling on EA15 on its first day of operation, the bus was impressively comfortable for the passenger. I can't wait to see more hit the streets.

An offside shot of EA15 at the Visitor Centre before taking its first journey on Route 99 on the 6th August 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

A rear shot of EA15 on its first day of operation, the 6th August 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

EAs Wander:

Phibsboro's EA24 is seen on Bachelors Walk operating Route 37 on the 6th November 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

Since introduction the EAs have been predominantly on the 99. After a few weeks in service, a few started to appear on the L58 and L59. One appeared on the evening L58 universal which also performs a C3 from Maynooth, but otherwise they have not roamed, their lower capacity making them less likely to appear on double-deck routes. In the past few weeks, they have been used on trial O-Route services. The O is the orbital route that will be the home of the EAs when it is launched, however recently you can see these buses driving the route for time testing. They even appear in the RTPI data as route 720.

Phibsboro's EA20 is seen turning from D'olier Street to Townsend Street on the C2 on the 6th November 2024 (click on photo for larger version).

On the 4th November 2024, Phibsboro introduced for new peak universals on Routes 37, 38, 39A and C2 and they have allocated EA-class buses to them. It is great to see these buses in the heart of the city. In general the buses are just fitted in between two existing departures and hence thus far loadings don't appear to be an issue.

Phibsboro's EA12 is seen at the Belfield terminus of Route 39A on the 8th November 2024 (click on photo for larger version).