Survey to assess demand for M3 Parkway link bus

An online survey to show the level of interest among commuters and students in a bus connection between the towns of Ratoath and Dunshaughlin that would link up with the train service at M3 Parkway took place over the past week.

Cllr Gillian Toole posted the petition following a presentation from Miriam McKenna of Flexibus at the monthly meeting of Meath County Council last week where she asked councillors for their suggestions on routes that could be developed.

The possibility of a route connecting Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin with M3 Parkway was previously mooted in 2018 when a similar survey was posted which garnered 1,000 responses.

Cllr Toole explained that Flexibus made an application at the time to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to run it on a pilot basis but it wasn't successful.

Now the idea is being put forward again with 500 people responding in the first 48 hours that they would use the service if it was available.

Cllr Toole said: "About four years ago I ran a similar survey/petition. My motivation then was the same as now, to provide more sustainable transport links. Miriam McKenna of Flexibus is willing to run it as a pilot but needs the go ahead of TII."

She also suggested that the buses could be used during off peak times for school transport.

"It would be good for commuters and good for the climate. There should be more joined up thinking between Bus Eireann and Irish Rail and TII should be driving it."

Cllr Toole said it would not take away from plans to extend the rail line to Navan which are still down as being post 2031 and that there was nothing wrong with some joined up thinking in the intervening period.