Buses: Throwback Thursday

[Csalem]

This week we are going back sixteen years to RV 326 on O'Connell Bridge with a service on route 46E.

This route was introduced following the opening of Stillorgan Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) in 1999. Initially it operated in peak-hours between the city centre and Newtownpark Avenue in Blackrock. Certain services operated to Heuston Station, and certain services went via Stillorgan Village. In 2002 it was extended to Blackrock Station. Then in 2010 it was cut back to operate only in the morning-peak from Blackrock to Mountjoy Square via the Stillorgan QBC, with no return workings in the evening.

RV 326 was new to Dublin Bus in 1997, and was the second last Olympian delivered in the two-tone green livery. It was withdrawn in 2008 and sold on to an operator in the United Kingdom.

24/04/2008

Throwback Thursday (431) by Cathal O'Brien, on Flickr

[Csalem]

This week we are going back twenty-six years to 1998 and KD 88 at Heuston Station. The bus is dressed for route 91.

This route did not have a timetable and ran as required. It was there to provide extra capacity on route 90 during periods of great demand (such as two trains arriving together). Whereas the 90 connected Heuston with Connolly (and for a while the IFSC), the 91 only went as far as Aston Quay. The route faded away over time, especially when the Luas tram started running in 2004, providing a new connection between Heuston and Connolly.


KD 88 was new to CIE in 1982. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus around 1999/2000.


The ad on the side of the bus is for a referendum to ratify to Good Friday Agreement. This agreement was signed on 10th April 1998, and the referendum was held on the 22nd May 1998.


Work beside the bus is part of a refurbishment / upgrade of Heuston Station. This expanded the concourse of the station into the original building at the front of the station.


02/05/1998

Throwback Thursday (432) by Cathal O'Brien, on Flickr

[Csalem]

This week we are going back thirty-eight years to 1986 and to KC 89 at Bray Staton. The bus is dressed for route 85.

CIE started running route 85 between Bray and Enniskerry in 1945. From around 1976 to around 1986, the route also served Oldcourt in Bray, and then from around 1986 it served Ballywaltrim. In December 1995 the route became route 185, with minibuses taking over. In 2018, Go-Ahead Ireland took over the operation of route 185.

KC 89 was new to CIE in 1984. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus around the year 2000.

In April 2024, work started on a new bus interchange at the front of Bray Daly Station.

08/05/1986

Throwback Thursday (433) by Cathal O'Brien, on Flickr