LAST AEC TO RUN IN DUBLIN SERVICE - AR302 (photo above in Lower Abbey St.)

Yes, indeed, Shane, right first time. So what was so significant about that? Well, firstly, one of the two buses that started DUTC service on Route 43 in 1925 was AEC, and DUTC/CIE had AEC buses in continuous operation since then. Also it meant that Dublin was one maker only, Leyland, from 1967 until the Bombardiers came in 1981.

There were many AEC buses among the early DUTC fleet. Then their first large fleet order when they were expanding by taking over the Independents was also for AEC. They got 46 Regal 4s single deckers in 1934-36, and 33 of these survived into CIE days. They were withdrawn in 1950 53. They had more powerful engines than the Leylands, and were used mainly on long routes to Bray and beyond, and the western routes from Conyngham Road garage (including 65).

CIE put 11 AEC double deckers into service in 1946/47. They spent most of their lives on route 23 and were withdrawn in 1961. That probably would have been the end of AEC in Dublin were it not for taking over the GNR in 1958. The GNR bus fleet of over 150 was mostly AEC, and GNR routes in the Dublin area were transferred to CIE Dublin City Services.

Clontarf got 10 double deck (Regent 3) and three single deck buses 1 A class and 2 AU class. The single decks were transferred out within 2 years, but the double deckers were destined to stay there until 1967. They spent most of their time on frontline duties on the 29 and 31. Nine (AR289 290/1/2/4/6/8 301/3) were withdrawn in March and April 1967, the first casualties of the new D-class Atlanteans. AR304 survived to August 1967.

Summerhill got 5 ARs, one Regent 2 for Donabate Portrane, which only lasted to 1960. The other four (AR293/5/7 302) were for Skerries and Rush. They were replaced on frontline service in 1960, AR 295 was moved to Drogheda and AR297 withdrawn prematurely. AR293 and 302 continued on peak extra services on cross-city routes, and were very much out of place with their platform doors on routes that would be used to open platform. OneOneTwo remembers them in Camden St. regularly in the early 60s. AR 293 withdrawal date has not been recorded, but it was probably about 1964/65. AR 302 continued doing peak extras on Finglas, route 40, until September 1967, with its final day in service on 25 September 1967. So this was the last AEC bus in Dublin City Services, after 42 years of service.

Michael Corcoran, writing in the June 1968 edition of Buses, wrote at length about the demise of the ex-GNR Regents. He finished up as follows:
.leaving AR 302 as the last AEC in Dublin service. This bus lingered on uncertainly until 25 September, when it was withdrawn, bringing a continuous association between the Dublin services and AEC since 1925 to an end and making the Dublin fleet one-make for the first time.