18 Dec 2020
Posted by Anna Cullen 
Good news for those of you in Navan and Drogheda! Bus Éireann have announced significant service enhancements which came into effect from Sun 20th Dec. This will mean increased frequency, revised timetables and extra services, which will provide links to the wider public transport network.
At the moment though, with Covid-19 restrictions in place, keep in mind that public transport should be kept for essential journeys. Capacity is reduced (to 25%) and you are now required by law to wear a face covering. It’s also advisable to pay your fare through contactless methods.
Navan Town, Meath
The introduction of two new routes in Navan Town (N1 and N2) will result in an enhanced full town service and will replace the current route 110.
This will see a change to the current provision in the town which operates from Monday to Friday. The two new routes will now run every half hour, seven days a week (including Sunday’s and Bank Holiday’s) and will operate via five buses from early in the morning until late in the evening.
So if you use route 110 for your daily commute then what does this mean?
The new route N1 will serve the Johnstown area and will travel from Commons Rd to Metges Rd – via Balreask, the hospital and Athlumney. From Commons Rd, the first bus will leave at 6:30am (Monday to Saturday) and leave at 11pm. On Sundays, these times will change to 8:30am and 10:30pm.
From Metges Rd, the first bus will leave at 6:45am and the last at 11:15pm (Monday to Saturday), with the times changing to 8:30am and 10:30pm on Sundays. You can view the full timetable here.
The new N2 route will serve the Blackcastle area and will travel from Commons Rd to Aisling Place – via St Patrick’s Park, the Shopping Centre and the National School. From Commons Rd, the first bus will be at 6:45am and the last at 11:15pm (Monday to Saturday) with the times changing to 8am and 11pm on Sundays.
From Aisling Place, the first bus will leave at 6:30am and the last at 11pm (Monday to Saturday) and from 7:45am to 10:45pm on Sundays. Here is the full timetable.
All services will operate via both bus stops on Abbey Rd, which then allows connections to Trim, Drogheda, Kells, Blanchardstown & Dublin city centre. Usual town fares will apply, and Leap Card can be used on these services. For more on using a Leap Card and where you can purchase them see their website.
The new timetables, which will provide over 130 daily weekday departures, will come into effect from Sun 20th Dec, and the old 110 route will cease to operate after Fri 18th Dec as a result.
Drogheda Town, Louth
In Drogheda, two new routes will be introduced in the town which will significantly enhance service frequency. For the first time, they will link the north and south of the town (new residential areas) to the centre, providing access from a number of stops. The services will also allow easy transfer to the wider public transport network.
So what areas do these new routes serve and what does it mean for your commute?
Well, route D4 will operate from Colpe Rd to Ballymakenny College – via Bryanstown, both the train and bus stations, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. The first bus will leave Colpe Rd at 5:55am and the last at 11:25pm (Monday to Saturday) and at 7:30am and 11:30pm on Sundays.
From Ballymakenny College, the first bus will leave at 6:05am and the last at 11:05pm (Monday to Saturday) and this will change to 8am and 11pm on Sundays. You can view the full timetable here.
Route D5 will operate from Colpe Rd to Termonabbey (Aston Village) – via Five Oaks, both the train and bus stations, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Newfoundwell. From Monday to Saturday the first bus from Colpe Rd will leave at 6:10am, with the last at 10:55pm. On Sundays, the times will change to 8am and 11pm.
From Termonabbey, buses will leave at 6:15am and the last at 10:30pm (Monday-Saturday). On Sundays, the first will leave at 8:30am and the last at 11:30pm. More details can be found on the Bus Éireann website.
The two new routes will operate every 15 minutes seven days a week and the new timetables will come into effect from Sun 20th Dec. Usual town fares will apply, and Leap Card can be used on these services.
To plan your journey you can check the Bus Éireann website. Check out our blog too about nationwide travel restrictions during Covid-19.
