On the 24th March 2002, Dublin Bus decided to split short stint route 59 into separate services.
Route 59 would operate only to Killiney, using Mercedes Benz Vario minibuses while newly created route 59A would operate to Mackintosh Park.
Here is a feature on the buses used on the two routes, before the services were merged again.
Volvo B10L with Alexandra Ultra bodywork, VL 5 ( 98 D 2005 ) is seen heading up on route 59A to Mackintosh Park. Route 59A was advertised as a low floor route, so the 5 Donnybrook strong fleet of VL's were used to operate the route. It operated from Dun Laoighaire, via Sandycove Station, Dalkey, Avondale Road to Mackintosh Park. The route operated 7 days a week, using 1 bus & a tight 25 minute trip time.
Meanwhile, the original route number 59 had its route considerably shortened just serving Sandycove, Dalkey & terminating at Killiney.
The turning terminus at Killiney was extremely tight & unsuitable for the long VL type, so minibuses were dedicated to the route.
Donnybrook Garage had withdrawn its older class of Mercedes mini's in December 2001, the Eurocoach 811D's & large fleet of Leicester Carriage Builders ML class ( ML21- 32 ) from route 155.
Phibsboro Garage transferred some of its Vario class minibuses, MV 81 - 84 to Donnybrook to operate the 59 & 44B.
The splitting of route 59 into 2 routes was not appreciate by passengers, with late departures & breakdowns especially with the VL class.
On the 22nd Feb 2004, a new " super route 59 " was introduced with the merging of the two former routes, with route 59 now operating via Killiney to Mackintosh. The minis were withdrawn & the VL's removed from most workings. Instead, recently transferred Volvo B6BLE midibuses, the low floor WV class were introduced on the 59 route. WV 4- 16 were transferred from Clontarf & Ringsend Garage to operate a number of Donnybrook routes, including the 44B, 59 & 111.
