A series of mishaps at the launch of a new line of buses manufactured in Ireland for CIÉ.
A factory in Shannon is building buses that will be part of the Coras Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) fleet. The business is a joint venture between CIÉ, an American firm General Automotive and Bombardier of Canada.
Bombardier managing director Bill Kretz, is pleased with the productivity at the Shannon plant and the work of the 200 employees to date in building single decker buses designed by CIÉ.
Production of double decker buses will begin next year as part of a planned replacement of the entire CIÉ fleet. RTÉ News reporter Michael Walsh took one of the new buses for a test drive.
Gremlins seemed to strike at an event to launch the new line of Bombardier buses in the Shannon industrial estate. Following a blessing Minister for Transport Albert Reynolds turned the key on the first of the new buses but the vehicle failed to start. The minister then smashed a ceremonial bottle of champagne off the bus with much of the alcohol splashing the mayor of Limerick, Clem Casey who also was cut by a glass splinter. A battery replacement got the Bombardier bus going again and Albert Reynolds drove it out of the factory.
As the bus was bringing the minister and other guests to lunch it stalled again and this time could not be restarted.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 November 1980. The reporter is Michael Walsh.
