Dublin Bus route 172 began operating 15th December 1998 from Dunard Estate off Blackhorse Avenue via Oxmantown Road ( old 72 routing ) & along the north quays to Middle Abbey Street Monday to Saturday. At that time Middle Abbey Street was still a large bus terminus for Conyngham's routes 25, 26, 66 & 67 & Phibsboro's 38's & 39's. The 172 was operated by Mercedes minibuses, which were also used for the Blanchardstown Localink routes.
On the 30th August 1999, route 172 received route branding " Museumlink " following a traditional of using the " link " as in Stationlink for route 90, Localink for the Bray area, Hotelink & the Nitelink.
A new timetable was introduced with new Sunday workings.
As only one minibuses was required to operate the route, ME 42 ( 95 D 33042) was specially sprayed in a unique livery under the " Museumlink " branding. A special aqua blue & shaded green livery was applied & ME 42 ran up & down the Quays all day long.
Rear view of ME 42 with the various Museumlink branding. The various Museum's served are advertised above the windows with the various branding in the Museum's own font are displayed around the bus.
ME 42 also had a unique scroll with large destination lettering either showing " Dunard Est. " or " Kildare Street "
ME 42 is seen above turning of Bachelors Walk onto O' Connell Bridge in the unique Museumlink livery.
As well as the Museumlink livery, the route was also tweaked to reflect its unique role. From its terminus at Dunard, which is opposite to Mc Kee Barracks, the routes passed along National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks at Benburb Street where new stops were located ( and still stand, topless to this day in yellow ), serving the National Museum on Kildare Street & finally the Natural History Museum on Merrion Square.
When ME 42 was withdrawn as the older generation ME class were disposed, route 172 continued to operate with newer Mercedes Vario MV class.
City Imp MV66 is seen parked at the 172 terminus on Kildare Street outside the National Museum. By this stage, the Museum's had withdrawn their sponsorship on the route & while the route continued to operate on the same schedule, with the branding gone, the " Museumlink " logo quietly disappeared.
Route 172 continues to operate from Phibsboro Garage, now using Leyland & Volvo Olympians as the minibuses are long gone.
This page is dedicated to Brendan, the Dublin Bus driver allocated to route 172 for many years & hopefully many more..................
