Photo of the Week - Week 5:
Summerhill's RV553 is seen on Route 41 turning from Bridge Street onto Main Street Swords with Swords Castle in the background on the 29th January 2012.
The RVs are a dying breed, especially with half of the garages, namely Conyngham Road, Phibsborough and Clontarf, not having RVs at all. Ringsend has become much stricter about their RVs on a Sunday, with few ever straying out, the 14s amalgamation with the 20B and the subsequent withdrawal of the 48A and 14A saw Donnybrook's RVs depleted, confined especially at weekends to occasional duties on the 44 and 17, and now with the 83 upgraded Harristown is much the same with maybe a few for the Blanchardstown locals only.
Summerhill's RV555 is seen on Route 41C on Swords Main Street on the 29th January 2012.
Summerhill however is the odd garage out when it comes to RVs. Though of course there are less RVs out at the weekends due to a lower PVR, the 16s and 41s still provide a home for the RVs at the weekends with at least three allocated to the 41 on Sunday the 29th January. Its strange to think that just over 12 years ago these buses were viewed as modern among a fleet of buses that still contained early 1980s KD and KC class buses. The 1999 RVs also heralded in the concept of peak hour Euro services, a significant part of the delivery being destined for this role. Now as they enter their 13th year of service, it would seem the writing is on the wall for this particular class of buses with the EU directive for low floor buses being effective at the end of the year.
Recently withdrawn RV540 is seen during its Summerhill days having operated a Route 41A service to the City Centre on the 23rd February 2011. This bus spent a short period in Ringsend prior to its withdrawal. RV539 which transferred alongside it has faired much better and is still in service in Ringsend. The 41A designation, though only officially used on certain peak hour services, is often used during peak periods when buses are running slightly late. The 41A is basically a 41 which avoids the Airport, while also serving Glen Ellan. The 43 behind in interesting being the one evening peak 43 service to Glen Ellan operated by Harristown garage. RV540 was the last scrolled bus delivered to Dublin Bus. Scrolled buses are currently confined only to Ringsend Depot.