Diesel Dusk for Limerick Buses: VWL325 on Route 302 on Friday, 15/3/24.

A recording captured on NTA/Bus Éireann (Roxboro Depot, Limerick) Wright Eclipse Urban Volvo B7RLE VWL325 (12-D-8586) on Route 302 between Henry Street and Coolraine in Limerick on Friday night, 15th March 2024.
At the time of recording, VWL325 was one of only four single deck buses in the Limerick City fleet and the busy Route 302 was almost exclusively double deck operated apart from the occasional late-evening appearance by a single-deck bus as was the case here.
However in March 2024, dozens of new all-electric Wright Electroliner double deck buses were displacing the city's diesel fleet as part of a complete changeover to electric traction so VWL325's 12 years in the city were coming to an end very soon after.

[@liamoconnor2718]

i had that lots of times on 305

[@liamoconnor2718]

usually vwl316 or 317 is on the 305

[@liamoconnor2718]

we know vwl313 316 and 317 12 years in service is also coming end not long left

[@liamoconnor2718]

it could be end of march or start of april the single deckers leave limerick for either drogheda or dundalk

[@liamoconnor2718]

remember back in april i thought vwl325 left for good

[@Busandtrainluvr2k]

If the remaining VWLs leave Cork then that’s effectively the MCs that aren’t as reliable as the only single deckers in cork

[@liamoconnor2718]

now vwl325 at navan

[@Busandtrainluvr2k]

Yesterday I rode VWL308 on the 202 which could be due to the B5TL's inferior reliability

[@liamoconnor2718]

i saw the video

[@liamoconnor2718]

Looks like we are getting the final delivery of ewds arent we?

[@paulbelfastlimerick]

I would hope so Liam. They've certainly introduced 106, 107, 108, 116 and 118 onto to the streets plus perhaps a few more since Wednesday but as far as I can tell, it is 100% diesel today and most likely tomorrow and Monday (Bank holiday) so they still haven't made the leap of faith for weekend operation yet.
I've also heard that they might need up to 16 more drivers before they fully electrify the longer routes.
And then of course, they may be at the stage where space is tight and they will have to eject some of the older fleet to take in more EWDs.
They are keeping us in suspense!😊

[@liamoconnor2718]

@@paulbelfastlimerick oh good :) ya its every saturday the routes are diesel double decker. should have been ewd operated but sure once older vehicles leave then i think the routes will be ewd operated monday to sunday

[@liamoconnor2718]

@@paulbelfastlimerick and indeed no one wants the bus depot to be very full