New bus link to Carlanstown starts Sunday

A new Dundalk to Mullingar bus route, which will service Carlanstown village, brings an end to years of campaigning by residents of Carlanstown.

The new 167 service, which starts on Sunday, will link North Meath with both Mullingar and Dundalk and comes after years of campaigning for a bus link to Carlanstown.

There will be five buses per day in each direction, with the first bus leaving Carlanstown for Kells and Mullingar at 7.27 and the last bus at 19.18.

The first bus will leave for Dundalk and Ardee at 7.26 and the last at 19.38.

Deputy Thomas Byrne said. “After years of pushing and making the case for this new service, I’m really pleased to have received confirmation from the NTA that both Carlanstown village and indeed the town of Kells will benefit from a new bus service – the 167.

“This new service has been long awaited and there have been many false dawns in the past.  The new service will be of huge benefit to the local community in Carlanstown and Kells and indeed the rural areas in between. It will also enable any local students studying in Dundalk to commute daily.

“As the local TD and along with Cllr Sean Drew and Cllr Paul McCabe we have been pushing for this new service for the past number of years together with many in the community.  I’m very pleased to be able to deliver on previous commitments now that we are in Government.”

Cllr  Paul McCabe also welcomed the announcement.

"I'm very pleased that this new bus service will be commencing this weekend. It will link North Meath with a five times daily service to Dundalk and Mullingar and many villages inbetween.

"I want to commend the local community in Carlanstown in particular for continuing to make the case for this service over the years. Their hard work and persistence is now paying off.

"At a time when the national policy is directing us towards public transport, this is a definite step in the right direction. I also envisage this service to be very worthwhile to local students studying in Dundalk, “ he said.

Cllr Sean Drew said; "Finally…. Bus Éireann has announced the commencement of its new bus route to serve Carlanstown.

"A bus service for Carlanstown has a long time been promised and awaited. It’s great to see that this new route will now deliver connectivity for residents, commuters, students, etc.

"Thanks to the local community for both their patience and representations to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Bus Éireann on this issue. I must also thank Minister Thomas Byrne for his persistent and ongoing support in finally delivering this new service".

Meanwhile, another new route linking Drogheda, Slane, Navan and Trim to Ballivor Rahanarney Killucan, Mullinar and Ahtlone will aso come into effect on Sunday.

Aternate journeys on the existing Drogheda - Rossin - Slane - Navan - Trim route 190 will extend to Athlone via Ballivor, Raharney, Killucan, Mullingar and Moate. The first bus will depart Drogheda at 05.30, leaving Navan at 06.12 with the last bus back from Athlone at 22.50 serving Navan at 01.04, Slane at 01.21 and finishing in Drogheda at 01.43