RA Olympians - 1994

RA Olympians - 1994 - 2008

15th June 2009

The RA class were first delivered in 1994 numbering from 176 - 325. August 2008 saw the last of them being withdrawn leaving the later RV class as the only Olympians left in service.

On the 3rd of August 2008, Dublin Bus organised a 'Farewell tour' using the Driving school's RA176 and Donnybrook's RA302 and RA305.

A number of RAs remain with Dublin Bus in the driving school and tours fleets.

50 RAs were bought by Wealden PSV of Kent and Southdown PSV of Sussex for sale into the UK market. Both companies have commented on the good condition of the buses. They offer the option of single door conversions, removing the centre doors upping seating from 74 to 78. Prices range from 35,000 to 41,000 euro.

The final batch of RAs and the first few RVs have been purchased by Ensign Bus of Purfleet Essex.

The batch of RVs from the cutbacks in 2009 now await sale.

**UPDATE**
Photos from Ensignbus.

RH177 (later re-branded as RA177) on it’s first week in 1994 at Dun Laoghaire. (C) Des Willis	RA176, the first of the RA batch brand new (1994). (C) Patrick Losty	RA176 - (C) Patrick Losty
TECs DF839 with Donnybrook's RA240. As DF839 was withdrawn in 1995, RA240 was delivered brand new	RV326 and RA282 in December 2005. RA326 (the first of the RV batch) was withdrawn in August 2008.	Donnybrook's RA177 and RA176 now in service with the Dublin Bus driving school. (Photo Nov 2007)
To celebrate the end of the RAs in service, Dublin Bus organised a ‘Farewell Tour’ using 3 RA s, RA176 (the first of the batch), RA302 and RA305.	The three RAs in Dundrum.	RA302 and RA176 in Dun Laoghaire.
The 3 RA drivers for the day, L to R, Tony Murray, Barry Miller and Kevin Horgan.	The withdrawn RA fleet in Broadstone. Note : RV326 and RV334 nearest the camera.	Ensignbus: RA281 being converted.
Ensignbus: RA261 in Purfleet.	Ensignbus: RV331 and RV333 after arriving at Purfleet.	Ensignbus: RV328 offside
Ensignbus: RV328 under conversion.