Bus Eireann, Ireland's national bus company, launched a new service from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Dublin via Ratoath to Ashbourne on Monday 29th August 2005.
The service operates Monday to Saturday every two hours from 8 am leaving Ashbourne until the last departure from Blanchardstown at 7 pm.
Volvo B7R with Plaxton Prima body, VR 6 is seen operating the service soon after the introduction of the new route.
VR 6 is seen at The Blanchardstown Centre terminus for route 104.
Unlike the main bus & taxi interchange at the blue entrance, the terminus for the Bus Eireann 104 service is at the obscure perimeter road close to retail park number 1 between PC World/ Currys. There is also a Dublin Bus stop for the 237 here. At the time of the feature, there was no Bus Eireann stop at the location.
Interior view of the Plaxton Prima. Bus Eireann purchased 55 of these coaches in 2000 & were allocated to various garages around Ireland. Classified the VR class, they have a higher seating capacity at 57 rather than a standard coach of 53 & are mainly used on short distance commuter services.
VR 6 at Blanchardstown waiting for the 1 pm departure to Ashbourne.
Trip time to Ashbourne is about 35-40 minutes during the cross country trip passing through Fairhouse Racecource & the village of Ratoath.
Adult single fare was 2 euros, 1.50 for children.
VR 6 parked at the terminus in Ashbourne main street. Route 104 loops anticlockwise around Ashbourne outbound thus avoiding tricky u turns.
The service was well patronised on the way back to Blachardstown, especially with children going to make the most of the many shops at the centre.
During the week, a Mercedes 811D Leicester Carriage Builders " ML " minibus taken from the Navan Town Service batch is used to operate the service due to tight vehicle rostering at Broadstone, however on Saturdays a coach usually operates the service.
Bus Eireann route 104 at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre
Bus Eireann route 104 at Ashbourne
This photo feature is dedicated to Mr Arnold Richardson, UK, who passed away November 10th 2005.
Arnold was a renowned bus enthusiast who also operated PHOTOBUS, a vast photography collection, including thousands of Irish buses. May he rest in peace.
Waterford based mini Pointers DPC 104, 105 & 106 were transferred temporarily to Broadstone in September 2007 in anticipation of onward delivery to Sligo City to replace its ME class minibuses on city services.
During their Broadstone allocation, these mini DPC's have been observed on working from Dublin to Wicklow, Drogheda, Ratoath, Ashbourne & Balbriggan town service.
Here is a feature on DPC 106 operating Bus Eireann route 104 from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre via Fairyhouse & Ratoath to Ashbourne.
DPC 106 ( 02 D 18256 ) pictured at route 104's terminus at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.
Route 104 operates 7 days a week. Its Monday to Saturday timetable operates from Blanchardstown at 9, 11, 1, 3 & 5 pm while from Ashbourne at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4 & 6 pm.
The driver breaks at Blanchardstown having worked in the 12 pm service from Ashbourne, while a relief driver comes up from Broadstone in either a bus/ staff car to operate the 1 pm & 2 pm return from Ashbourne. On Sunday, one driver operates the route all day, breaking at Blanchardstown from 1 pm to 3 pm.
While the route does not take 1 hour, it allows a clockface & customer friendly timetable.
DPC 106 at the terminus at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre alongside retail park 1. Unlike the Dublin Bus services recently moved to the new bus interchange at the yellow entrance, Bus Eireann's route 104 has always been located beside PC World/ McGuirks Golf & shares the bus stop with Dublin Bus route 220.
DPC 106 at the first stop in Ashbourne. Route 104 enters Ashbourne from both the south or north of the town, but the first stop is always facing northbound, keeping the southbound stop for bust route 103 Ashbourne- Dublin City Centre.
Interior of DPC 106, having recently ben refurbished inside with new seat cushions & some seats totally replaced. New advertising boards have also been fitted. These mini Pointers are low floor & wheelchair accessible.
DPC 104 & 106 transfered from Broadstone to Galway to operate a Christmas Park & Ride, which starts in Galway this Friday Dec 14th 2007 for the Christmas period running between Galway, Oranmore and Claregalway, depart from Eyre Square at 1.30am, 2.30am and 3.30am, operating on the following dates over Christmas - Dec 14, 15, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31
DPC 105 was to transfer as well but in undergoing mechanical repairs in Broadstone.
In 1997, ten new Mercedes Benz 811D with Eurocoach Donegal bodywork ( classified ME 200 series ) were purchased for the development of new routes in Galway & Waterford, along with other Leicester Carriage Builders versions ( classified ML 100 series ) for Cork & Limerick.
Protracted disagreements lead to the abandonment of most into service as their intended purpose, to develop new routes, so only gradually entered service.
By 2008, the Bus Eireann minibuses were still operating some town services in Athlone, Drogheda, Navan, Waterford & Dublin until most were replaced by Waterford''s Dennis Dart fleet of the DPC class midibus. Here is a feature on Broadstone based ME 210
Broadstone based ME 210 ( 97 W 714 ) operating Bus Eireann route 104
( Blanchardstown Shopping Centre - Ratoath-Ashbourne )
ME 210 was branded for the Navan Town Service, originally 4 routes, known as routes A,B,C & D from Navan town centre to the suburbs
Interior of ME 210, Dublin Bus & Bus Eireann selected the same interior finish, except Bus Eireann opted for hopper style windows. 29 seater
ME 210 seen at Ashbourne on the popular route 104. Since the withdrawal of minibuses, the route is usually operated by the DPC class
Following the end of the Ryder Cup in September 2006, Dublin Bus Conyngham Road Garage withdrew its 9 strong fleet of Volvo B10B's the VA class. All 9 of these Alexander Setanta's were moved to Broadstone pending transfer to Bus Eireann for schools duties, in a similar arrangement to the similar bodied AD class.
In October 2006, Bus Eireann moved VA 1, 4, 5 & 6 to Capwell Garage in Cork for further use in scheduled services on short hop commuter services. The VA class had recently been refurbished at Conyngham with both external spraying into the new Dublin Bus core colours & internal cleaning, so were suitable for further use instantly. By November 2006, the VA's at Cork have entered service operating mainly Cork City services & are being gradually fitted with front dmd's
The VA's remaining at Broadstone.....VA 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 will also enter service on scheduled Bus Eireann services instead of school buses duties ( which would require new seat belted seating & centre doors sealed.
Bus Eireann intends to operating the Broadstone based VA's on :
VA 9 is seen making an appearance at Blancharstown Shopping Centre on Saturday 11th November 2006, although it did not enter service on route 104 that day.
Rear view of VA 9 at the route 104 Blanchardstown shopping Centre terminus, as it jostled for position while some private coaches were parked in the Dublin Bus/ Bus Eireann busbay.
The Dublin Bus logos have been removed & the bodywork is in very good condition.
Interior view of VA 9
The interior bucket seating was in excellent condition, the floor spotless & the overall appearance of the bus in superb condition.
The Dublin Bus autofare box & part of the drivers security screen has been removed.
After many years of operating the 78A to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, the VA class could be now operating from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, still in the Dublin Bus livery.
Remembering the old Dublin Bus days.....
Conyngham Road VA 6 passes Phibsboro AD 48 at Drimnagh earlier in 2006 when both classes were part of the fleet.
VA 6 appears in Broadstone in Bus Eireann livery, the first of the former Dublin Bus VA's to be resprayed. ( 30th November 2006 )
VA 9 ( 96 D 2009 ) with its new owner Bus Eireann, at Blanchardstown
" on hire to Bus Eireann " & devoid of its former Dublin Bus logos
Seen at Bus Eireann's route 104 terminus at Blanchardstown Shop Ctr.
spotless interior of VA 9
Conyngham VA class meets Phibsboro AD class at Drimnagh
As part of Bus Eireann service cutbacks in 2010, following a reduction in demand, some routes & timetable changes were effected from Saturday 27th Feb 2010.
Bus Eireann Blanchardstown-Ratoath-Ashbourneroute 104 was withdrawn, being replaced by route 105 services, which now operates via Blanchardstown shopping centre, operating to/ from Dublin City Centre. Overall, there is a service improvement, as route 105's via Blanchardstown now operate every hour, compared to the former route 104 every two hours.
Volvo B7TL with East Lancs bodywork, DD 18 from Broadstone Garage operated on the last day of route 104 ( 27/2/10 ), here is some photos from that day at Blanchardstown, Ratoath & Ashbourne.
Broadstone based DD 18, originally part of a batch of East Lancs deckers introduced in 2004 for enhanced Bus Eireann route 101 services between Dublin & Drogheda, following growing demand along the northern corridor & an improved timetable. This was the 2nd batch of East Lancs DD class, the first introduced on the 103 corridor between Dublin & Ashbourne.
Broadstone based DD 18 in Ratoath Village at the Bus Eireann " Auld Stand / Ryans Pub " main stop in the centre of the village, a timing point for route 104. Unlike Blanchardstown bound buses, there is a pull in to the stop, allowing the buses to await their departure times.
Nearside view of DD 18 in Ratoath Village, awaiting its 11.30 timed departure to Ashbourne.
DD 18 in Ashbourne awaiting its return 12.00 departure back to Blanchardstown.
Route 104 operates into Ashbourne heading northbound.
A relief driver operates the 13.00 from Blanchardstown & 14.00 return from Ashbourne allowing a driver break for the allocated 104 driver.
DD 18 on the left side, while a very rare appearnce of the new Bus Eireann LD class on route 103
( Dublin to Ashbourne route ) is seen loading on a trip back to Dublin ( LD 215 )
