EW Class:

Summerhill's brand new EW2 is seen on its first day in service at Marino Park on the 2nd October 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

Today marked a major moment in Irish transport history with the entry into service of Dublin Bus' first all-electric double-decker, namely Summerhill operated EW2 on Route 123. EW2 is a Wrights Streetdeck Electroliner BEV. Wright's claim it has the highest battery capacity of any double-deck bus sold in the UK and Irish markets. This gives it a top mileage of 200miles for a full charge, though as per any technical spec this depends on operation and much work has been done recently to test mileage in standard operation before entry into service. In fact, Dublin Bus has done quite a lot to get these buses into service, be it the electrical infrastructure to actually charge large numbers of these vehicles and subsequent depot redesign and route movements to accomodate them, as well as the standard driver familiarisation phase for any new type.

Summerhill's EW2 is seen having a few techical issues for its first departure from Marino on the 2nd October 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

The first operation had a bit of hiccup with EW2 being a bit temperamental restarting having arrived at the terminus with plenty of time for its first departure (0720 ex Grifftih Avenue). Maintenance were on the scene in good time, some rejigging of departures was performed and the bus was able to operate its return from Galtymore Road with minimal inconvenience to passengers. It would have been easy to allocate the bus to a short duty, but a full day duty was chosen, the 11th car on the 123. It did quite a few laps, though didn't quite make it to the end. Teething trouble can be expected with any new type but Dublin Bus showed perseverance to get a decent first day's operation. Phibsboro will be next to put EWs into service, hopefully this week, so watch this space.

A rear shot of Summerhill's EW2 seen before its first allocated departure on Route 123 on Griffith Avenue on the 2nd October 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

Wandering Summerhill EWs:

Summerhill's EW7 is seen operating Route 15B under the Xmas lights on South Great Georges Street on the 22nd December 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

With increasing numbers of EWs entering service in Summerhill, there's now 20 of them (EW2,4,6-10,12,14-18,21,24,25,39-42), they've spread their wings beyond the 123 onto all other services in the depot. At this stage, I've personally seen them operating all of Summerhill's routes except peak-time variants 15D, 33E and 41D (though they probably have done at least one of these). Given the teething troubles that are still plauging this type, it seems like a sensible move to spread them around, though at times the 123 has been a full allocation of them, well at least at morning pull-out and slowly replaced as the day goes on.

Summerhill's EW9 is seen operating Route 33 on Lower Abbey Street on the 22nd December 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

For the passenger they are a comfortable bus with a nice interior feel so hopefully these teething troubles can be ironed out. The NTA, for one, must be incredibly confident that they can be, having placed 3 orders totalling 341 buses with Wrightbus, all before any have proven capable of regular full-day operation within the city. Of this 341, Dublin Bus are destined to get 220, so given there's no doubting the benefits of electric traction of buses within the city, hopefully we'll look back at this bold move as a great success.

Summerhill's EW21 is seen operating Route 41B to Rolestown on Lower Abbey Street on the 29th December 2023. Unfortunately EW21 didn't make Rolestown, thankfully Summerhill being able to quickly replace it with SG109 to operate this infrequent service (click on photo for larger version).

Phibsboro's First EW:

Phibsboro's brand-new EW61 is seen operating the first allocation of the EW-class in Phibsboro on Route 122 on Ashington Avenue on the 4th October 2023 (click on photo for larger version).

Wednesday the 4th October 2023 marked the first day that the EW class operated in Phibsboro with EW61 entering service. It covered a lap on the 122, the 0715 ex Drimnagh returning at 0840. It is seen above in Ashington on its return. It then operated the C2 in the evening peak. With Summerhill keeping EW2 out, the first two of what will be a very large class of buses have entered revenue service. The entry of subsequent buses into service may well be slower than we are acostomed given the technology change that comes with these buses, only time will tell.

Phibsboro's EW61 is seen on College Green operating the 122 on the 4th October 2023 (click on photo for larger version).