Improvements announced on 105 bus route serving Ashbourne and Ratoath

The announcement of a newly enhanced 105 bus route serving Ashbourne and Ratoath has been welcomed locally as a major improvement.

Bus Éireann and the NTA announced an upgraded Route 105, Drogheda to Blanchardstown via Ashbourne and Navan Road M3 Parkway rail station, which came into effect last Sunday.

There are now additional hours of operation and the route is extended from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown to the Navan Road Parkway.

Cllr Nick Killian said the improved route, along with a reduction in fares is very welcome. “It is a definite improvement especially as it is going from Connolly Hospital to the M3 Parkway - that is something we have been looking for for years. It will also serve Emerald Park.”

However, Cllr Killian said what was really needed was a direct bus route from Ratoath into Dubin city. “There are four bus stops in Ashbourne now which cause delays every morning,” he said,

Bus Éireann said the newly enhanced route will improve transport connections between Ashbourne, Ratoath and Drogheda as well as between Dunboyne and M3 Parkway.

The enhanced service is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network. The improvements will benefit passengers in the region travelling for leisure, work and education as well as those making onward connections with bus and rail services.

As part of the enhancements, Route 105, which currently operates to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, will be extended to serve Navan Road Parkway, providing improved connections to bus and rail services, facilitating onward travel.

To further support this extension, and build on access to existing stops at Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Blanchardstown and M3 Parkway which offers a key rail connection for passengers, Route 105 will have extended hours of operation from Monday to Friday. The first service will depart Blanchardstown at 6.45, providing a half hourly service until 20.45 followed by an hourly service until 22.45. Additionally, the Sunday hourly service includes two new departures at 09.45 and 21.45. The service will also feature new stops on Ballybin Road.

Since Sunday, Route 105 no longer serves Bracetown Business Park and will operate on a single alignment to Dunboyne and onwards. Passengers travelling to the Business Park, can alight at MSD Dunboyne and travel on Route 109 Dublin to Kells (via Navan) or 109b Dublin to Trim (via Dunshaughlin) to Bracestown.

“Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these improved services on Route 105, Drogheda to Blanchardstown (via Ashbourne) and Navan Road Parkway, increasing transport options for passengers in the region,” said Adrian O’Loughlin, Bus Éireann Senior Manager East.

“These improvements will positively impact those travelling for work, leisure, health and education.

“These updates are the result of a strong collaboration between the NTA and Bus Éireann to deliver an affordable, reliable and sustainable bus service.”