Major changes on way for Meath's commuters
Bus Eireann has released details of major changes to its Meath-Dublin and local county services which come into effect from September.
Commuters to the city centre will now have a dedicated express route - the XN - which will leave Navan via the M3 at Johnstown and journey on to Finglas and Phibsboro before arriving in O'Connell St.
Between Monday and Friday, this service will operate from 5:40am to 11.30pm, every 20 to 30 minutes. There will also be frequent services at the weekend, operating every 20 to 30 minutes during the day. This will be complemented by the 109A service which will now provide an overnight service between Navan and Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport.
According to Bus Eireann 'This will significantly improve the travelling experience by improving the reliability of bus services operating between Navan, Blanchardstown and Dublin and reducing journey times for customers. Route XN will also provide better opportunities for interchange with other public transport services, to ensure that access to public transport in Navan and County Meath is enhanced.'
The existing 109 service between Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Clonee, Blanchardstown and Dublin will become an hourly service along the old N3.
'Additional services will be operated in the morning and evening from Monday to Friday. Route 109 will provide a regular service along the old N3 and will ensure continued connectivity along the corridor between rural and urban areas. Route 109 will be one of two core services that will operate between Dunshaughlin and Dublin City Centre. The changes being made will enhance capacity for customers in Dunshaughlin, as a significant proportion of Navan customers will be using Route XN to access Dublin city centre.
Bus Eireann say they will also be providing, an enhanced service to/from Bailieborough as part of the route.
Residents of Kells looking to get to Dublin in the shortest possible time will be available to route 109x will operate between Cavan and Dublin City Centre, via Virginia, Kells, M3 motorway and Finglas between 04:45am and 11:15pm, Monday to Sunday. A number of services will operate via Navan.
This revised service will provide a quick, direct and comfortable bus service between Cavan and Dublin City Centre and environs. This will significantly improve the travelling experience by improving the reliability of bus services operating between Cavan, Blanchardstown and Dublin and reducing journey times for customers. The changes being made will ensure that access to public transport in Cavan and in the wider Cavan and County Meath area is enhanced.
Locally, there are significant changes coming into effect on the Trim-Dublin 111 service
The Route 109B route will replace the current route 111 and will provide an hourly service from Athboy/Trim to Dublin City Centre, via Dunshaughlin and the Navan Road. Additional services will be operated in the morning and evening from Monday to Friday.
Taking into account the changes to other routes, Bus Eireann states there will be an increase in the number of services operating between Trim and Dublin City Centre. Route 109B will complement services operating through Dunshaughlin on Routes 109 and 109A.
There will be a new 109C route servicing Trim – Kilmessan – Dunsany – Dunshaughlin – Dublin City Centre, seven days a week.
Route 109C will operate between Trim and Dublin City Centre, via Kilmessan, Dunsany and Batterstown. This new route will operate every 2 hours from Monday to Saturday, with a reduced service on Sundays.
Route 109C will provide significantly enhanced public transport services from small towns and rural areas along this corridor including direct access between these areas and Dublin City Centre. Route 109C will complement the services provided on Route 109B between Trim and Dublin City Centre.