Route 52
From Dublin Transport
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1928 - 1942
In summer of 1928, the DUTC introduced a route from the City Centre to Oxmanstown Road, numbered 52. This route was to become Route 72 in 1936; but it also, became Route 32 for a while during 1936 after losing the 52 number. [1]
Most synonymous with the Sandymount area of Dublin, Bath Avenue was originally served by tram route 4, but on July 31st, 1932, it was replaced with a bus service numbered 44A. By 1936, it had been renumbered, 52.
1942 - 1949
Route 52 was withdrawn due to wartime shortages on August 11th, 1941, the day that the last buses from the city were brought back to 11pm. By this time the route had been shortened, operating from D’Olier Street to Oaklands Park. The service had been cut back to Oaklands Park by at least early 1941, and had been drastically reduced in service around this time. A previously high frequency route, operating every 8 to 10 minutes daily (all day) was reduced to operate, every 7 to 10 minutes daily during Monday to Saturday peak periods only. It ran between the following intervals: 0830 & 0923, 1230 & 1515 & 1652 to 1835 (last bus).
Other notable reductions on August 11th, 1941 were: Route 55 (Burgh Quay to Rathfarnham) was withdrawn; Route 13 (Glasnevin to Beechwood Avenue) was curtailed to peak periods only; Route 21 was curtailed to College Green, with buses continuing to Westland Row when trains were scheduled.
1949 - 1985
Route 52 was re-introduced early in 1949 by CIE, this time operating, College Street to Gilford Road, running daily with a frequency during the day of every 8 to 13 mins, on Sundays it was every 12 mins until last bus. An exact date is unknown for the reintroduction of the route, but it was prior to the fare revisions (notable for the passing of the 1d fare) on March 29th, 1949.
By November 1952, the frequency became every 12 to 20 minutes, Monday to Saturday and approximately every 18 minutes on Sunday. In 1953, the city terminus of route 52 changed, from College Street to Burgh Quay. While by 1956, the Sandymount terminus was listed as Wilfield Road and the frequency was every 15 to 25 minutes, Monday to Saturday and approximately every 20 minutes on Sunday.
In late 1961 / early 1962, the journeys via Newbridge Avenue and Herbert Road began. From 1964, the Sunday service was drastically reduced. Just 1 bus and 2 duties provided a frequency of 40 minutes, with no service between 1950 and 2210 (when the 2nd duty took a break). Route 52 was one of the first services to go One Person operated (OPO) in 1965. On August 25th 1966, the city terminus changed from Burgh Quay to Eden Quay. A month later on September 25th, it reverted back to Burgh Quay (see Burgh Quay Changes 1966).
By early 1969, the city terminus was again changed to Hawkins Street. Another terminus change, this time to Townsend Street, took place in the mid 1970’s. Meanwhile, the Monday to Saturday frequency which, had remained unchanged since 1956, was finally reduced in 1977. The frequency now ranged in gaps of 10 to 55 minutes depending on the time of day. The route remained the same until 1986, Townsend Street (sharing its terminus with the 47A and 61) to Wilfield Road. [2]
1986 - 1998
The routing from Townsend Street to Wilfield Road, was withdrawn upon the introduction of DART feeder services. The DART feeder services were supposed to be introduced on December 8th, 1985, however drivers refused to operate them and were dismissed. This continued on, until January 9th, 1986, when drivers were re-instated, allowing route 52 to continue until February 1st, 1986, before becoming a DART feeder on the next day.
The routing upon introduction was St. John's Church to Kilmacud, however on the 15th February the terminus was ammended and Route 52 terminated adjacent to Sydney Parade Station no longer serving St. John's Church. The route would return to the St. John's Church terminus again in the 90's.
Specific Monday to Friday services on routes 46 and 63, were diverted to serve Haddington Road, Bath Avenue, Tritonville Road, Newbridge Avenue, Lansdowne Road and Shelbourne Road for sometime, following the withdrawl of route 52. The latter two roads seeing bus services again after the withdrawl of route 4.
Route 52 lost it's Sunday service on and from March 3rd, 1991. The route was withdrawn on July 20th, 1998. Routes 2 and 3, were deemed sufficent enough to serve the Sydney Parade Avenue to Belfield UCD section, whilst a low frequency route 3A, served the Kilmacud section.
Routing
D'Olier Street to Sandymount Tower (19xx < 1937 > 19xx)
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Townsend Street to Sandymount (Wilfield Road) (19xx < 1984 > 1986)
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Previous Termini: Burgh Quay (1956 to 1966 and 1966 to 1969), Eden Quay (1966) and Hawkins Street (1969 to 197x).
Sandymount (St.John's Church) to Kilamcud (1986 - 1998)
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Upon introduction, route 52 terminated at St. John's Church, but soon afterwards, it moved to a terminus at Sydney Parade Station. It then reverted back to St. John's Church a number of years prior to its withdrawal.
Timetables
References
- ↑ Dublin's Buses by P.J. Flanagan & C.B. Mac an tSaoir
- ↑ Garaiste - Route History - Route 52 - Wilfield Road terminus
- ↑ Garaiste - Route History - Dublin's Bus & Tram Routes: April 1937
- ↑ Garaiste - Route History - Dublin's Bus & Tram Routes: April 1937
- ↑ 13th Popular Edition of the Dublin Map circa 1984
- ↑ 13th Popular Edition of the Dublin Map circa 1984