Bus Eireann agrees to meet with bus users unhappy with current NX services

Bus Eireann has agreed to meet services users in Meath to discuss recent problems of delays and cancellations on the NX and other services from Navan.

As bus routes in Navan face major changes in the coming weeks, as part of the Navan 2030 scheme, there has been widespread concern about the commuter service to Dublin.

Cllr Emer Toibin has asked Bus Eireanns operations manager for Dublin Meath to attend a meeting with service users in Navan and a date has to be arranged for that meeting.

In the meantime, she is urging commuters to live tweet any instances of delays or full buses passing bus tops.

"For the last two months, the NX has not been able to meet demand.

"On a daily basis people have been conbtacting me about no shows or cancelled services.

"There are major delays.You have full buses leaving Abbey Road and even though they are full they go round all the stops, but drive past without stopping. The people at the next stop have to wait and the next one may also be full. People are sometimes an hour to an hour and a half late for work."

She said people are getting irate as they wait for buses.

"It is causing serious stress and there are people who say they will just return to siing their cars. They are sick and tired of this.

"Bus Eireann agreed to put on an additional two buses morning and evening and contracted them out, but there are still a number of cancellations and other problems.

"Most of the problems are on the NX but there are also delays on other services from Navan. The problem is they cannot get drivers or a quick turnaround on buses,when there us a breakdown.

"If the bus is full leaving Abbey riad, they should go straight on to Dublin - it makes no sense going by five stops but not stopping."

Meanwhile, buses coming into Navan from Dublin will start driving up Bridge Street and Ludlow Street to Market Square from midnight on 5th November as the reversal of traffic comes into effect.

Buses will also start using the new bus interchange at Kennedy Place over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile the Bus Kiosc building planned for the bus interchange at Kennedy Road is at at tender stage for the appointment of design team. Following a queston from Cllr Francis Deane at last week's Navan Municipal Council meeting, councillors heard that subject to a successful tender process and funding availability, to commence construction in the middle of next year.

Councillors were also told that the long awaited road at Dunville, linking Johnstown with the L5050 and Johnstown Village will open very soon and will allow the local bus service to include Johnstown vvillag eon it sroute.

The Mayor of Navan Cllr Eeddie Fennessy said "The new road has long been touted as the solution to peak time traffic congestion that affects the wider Johnstown area. If the road does what it's supposed to, local residents will be very thankful.

"In terms of public transport, the new road opening will allow the local bus service to include Johnstown Village on it's route. This is great news for local residents. There are hundreds of families living in the village, I'm sure the bus service will be very well used in the area."

Bus Eireann has been approached for comment.