Commuter concern over bus changes
Meath commuters have given a mixed reaction to the extensive new Bus Eireann timetables due to come into effect at the end of September.
Significant changes to the heavily used 109 route include a high frequency express service from Navan to Dublin and 24 hour airport service that takes in the city centre - the first 24 service in the country.
The creation of the 109B route replacing the old 111 and servicing Athboy, Trim and Dunshaughlin as well as a new 109C route which will facilitate Kilmessan, Dunsany, Batterstown and Dublin City Centre will also come on stream.
There are also changes to the Cavan - Navan - Dublin service in the form of the 109X.
When we posted the timetable to our Facebook page we received a massive reaction with many posters raising several issues over the changes.
We put a number of their concerns to Bus Eireann who responded as follows:
Will the XN and 109 service stop at the Mater Hospital?
The 109, 109B and 109C will serve the Berkeley Road stop and North Circular Road stop inbound. The XN and 109X will serve Lower Dorset Street outbound and the Phibsboro Road (Rothar) inbound. These stops are approximately 300 metres from the main entrance to the Mater Hospital and is also used by our Routes 103 and 103X services to Ashbourne and Ratoath.
Will the 109B (replacing the 111 service) still offer morning stops at Wilton Terrace, Stephen’s Green and Belfield?
All XN services will operate to/from the St Stephens Green area. The number of services that will operate to the Southside of the city on all other service types excluding the XN is still being finalised.
Where are the new 109 & XN services departing from in Dublin?
The XN will depart from the St Stephens Green area. The 109, 109B, 109C and 109X will as at present have their main departure point from Busáras.
Has Bus Eireann any price increases planned?
There is no price increases planned in conjunction with these changes
The XN service from Navan - Johnstown will join the motorway at Garlow Cross taking in stops at Ardboyne, opposite Meath Co Council, Johnstown opp SuperValu, opposite IDA centre and Dalgan Park. The XN service then joins the M3 motorway at the interchange after Garlow Cross.
Are there adequate park and ride facilities at Navan/Johnstown given the increase in XN services? This is a matter for the Local Authority.
Will any peak evening XN services from Dublin use the Port Tunnel? No, all XN services will operate out of the city centre via Finglas QBC as it provides the quickest journey time for our passengers.
Regarding the 109C route, which is advertised on the website as Trim - Kilmessan - Dunsany - Dunshaughlin - Dublin City Centre, the route as proposed does not go to Dunshaughlin and the spokesperson said it was a typo on the website and apologised for any confusion and said they are in the process of rectifying it. The spokesperson also said they received a significant amount of feedback from the general public suggesting that the service could operate via Dunshaughlin and they are considering this feedback in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).