Bus Eireann M3 Corridor Services Changes (109 & 111)

Andru93

Just to give you a head up. Bus Eireann are plannign a massive overhaul of their M3 Services.
For those of use from trim direciton we are going to be screwed over with most of our bus services detouring via Dunshauglin now.

More info here: http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2123&month=Aug

Summary of Changes:
Summary:
Route XN: Navan-Johnstown-M3-Blanchardstown Slip Road-M50-Finglas QBC-Phibsboro-South Dublin City Centre (every 20-30 mins)

Route 109: Kells-Navan-R147-Dunshaughlin-R147-Blanchardstown Slip Road-Navan Road-Phibsboro-Busaras (hourly)

Route 109B: Athboy-Trim-Dunshauglin-R147-Blanchardstown Slip Road-Navan Road-Phibsboro-Busaras (hourly)

Route 109C: Trim-Kilmessan-Dunsaney-Batterstown-Clonee-Blanchardstown Slip Road-Navan Road-Phibsboro-Busaras (bi-hourly)

Route 109X: Cavan-Virginia-M3-Blanchardstown Slip Road-M50-Finglas QBC-Phibsboro-Dublin (hourly - calls at Navan every 2 hours)

Route 111X: Delvin-Clonmellon-Athboy-M3-Blanchardstown Slip Road-M50-Finglas QBC-Phibsboro-Dublin (1 trip each way)

horseburger

Just to add, since Sunday 31st July 2016, the 109A service has been operating 24 hours to and from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Ashbourne, the airport and Bus Aras.

At night the buses will serve Bus Aras as well as the airport. They leave from Bus Aras at 12.25am, 1.25am, 2.25am, 3.25am, 4.25am, 5.25am and 6.25am and serves the airport, Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells.

The 109A leaves throughout the night from Kells at 11.40pm, 12.40am, 1.40am, 2.40am, 3.40am, 4.40am and serve Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Ashbourne, the airport and Bus Aras.

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1469614961-109A.pdf

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2090&month=Jul

kerosene

I thought the new xn service was going to be a great service until I realised it serviced the whole johnstown area. When the schools are back especially, you could have passengers getting off at the ardboyne hotel and 30 minutes later passengers who usually get off at the mercy will be stuck in traffic on the kentstown road.

chewed

sorry, slightly off the topic here! Does the current 109 M3 express bus from Busaras still stop at Garlow Cross in the evenings ?

PauloMN

I would strongly suggest anyone who has feedback to promptly let it be known to Bus Eireann at the address given: feedback@buseireann.ie

Discussing it on a forum is useful and it's interesting to see peoples' points of view on it, but the only feedback that BE will see is that which is sent to them. Even if you don't use the bus service (as I don't), if this would discourage you from switching to the bus, they should be made aware of that.

horseburger

PauloMN wrote: »

I would strongly suggest anyone who has feedback to promptly let it be known to Bus Eireann at the address given: feedback@buseireann.ie

Discussing it on a forum is useful and it's interesting to see peoples' points of view on it, but the only feedback that BE will see is that which is sent to them. Even if you don't use the bus service (as I don't), if this would discourage you from switching to the bus, they should be made aware of that.

It is worthwhile also sending feedback to the National Transport Authority because any timetable changes on Bus Éireann services are carried out by Bus Éireann in conjunction with the NTA.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/

Andru93

Just to Update People:

http://buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2138&month=Sep

Following a full review of services on the M3 Corridor including the initial public consultation carried out in early 2015, a detailed summary of proposed service enhancements (approved in principle by the National Transport Authority) was made available on our website for feedback/comment from our customers and the general public.
We would firstly like to thank our customers for the feedback received, which has now been fully reviewed by Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Based on this review process the following adjustments will be made to the already published proposals:
XN Route

• All services will operate to the southside of the city centre (Monday to Sunday)
• The southside terminus for this route will be Wilton Terrace with additional stops at Merrion Square & Westland Row (Pearse Station)
• A new stop will be provided before the bridge at the Ardboyne Hotel to facilitate customers at this location

Athboy/Trim – Dublin Corridor

• Services between Athboy/Trim to Dublin will remain numbered as Route 111 and will operate as per the current routing via Batterstown & the M3 (This service will not operate via Clonee)
• Two Weekday Route 111X services will link Clonmellon, Delvin & Athboy (07.00 & 07.30) to Wilton Terrace via the M3 Motorway. Two return services will depart from Wilton Terrace in the evening peak.
• The proposed routing linking Kilmessan/Dunsany to Dublin will now operate via Killeen Rd & Dunshaughlin and will be numbered 109B. This service will follow the Route 109 routing from Dunshaughlin.
• Two peak hour services will link Trim to the south city centre with one service extended to UCD Belfield

Mater Hospital

• The weekday 109X service which departs Cavan at 04.45 and Kells at 05.45 will operate via the old N3 between Kells and Navan and will operate inbound to the city centre via the Navan Rd and serve the Mater Hospital (Berkley Rd Stop)
• An additional weekday late afternoon departure will start at the Mater Hospital and operate all stops to Virginia.
• An additional evening service will operate to Virginia via Navan, serving current Mater Hospital stop
• All Route 109, 109B and 111 services will serve the current Mater Hospital Stops
• Routes 109X, 111X and XN services will continue to serve the stops on Phibsboro Rd and Dorset St.

Additional Information

• Two additional service’s linking Trim/Dunshaughlin/Navan directly to Dublin City University will be introduced on 12 September 2016 and will operate throughout the college year.
• A service will continue to depart Virginia at 06.25 and extend to UCD Belfield
• An additional evening service at 17.35 will operate to Virginia via Navan and the Mater Hospital
• Three peak services will link Kells directly to the south city centre with two of these services extending to UCD Belfield

Thank you for your feedback to date and if you would like to comment further on the above please forward to feedback@buseireann.ie
Tuesday, 6th September, 2016

niallb

Do you read that as meaning that the 109C will now not happen at all?
Any idea yet how the 109B will travel from Trim to Kilmessan if at all?

Andru93

niallb wrote: »

Do you read that as meaning that the 109C will now not happen at all?
Any idea yet how the 109B will travel from Trim to Kilmessan if at all?

Not too sure to be honest as the routing information is very vague. Killeen Road is the road to Kilmessan from Dunshaughalin it is just a matter on how does it proceed onto it from Trim side.

Colm R

Andru93 wrote: »

Not too sure to be honest as the routing information is very vague. Killeen Road is the road to Kilmessan from Dunshaughalin it is just a matter on how does it proceed onto it from Trim side.

My understanding is that it will go from Lidl towards Navan. After Dunganny, it will turn right for Kilmessan, passing Bective Abbey and into Kilmessan. And then Dunsany.

Originally, the 109C was then suppose to go back down to the Dublin Trim road from Dunsany and join it at Dunsany Lodge outside Kiltale, and then onto Batterstown.

Now it will go towards Dunshaughlin from Dunsany as the 109B passing Kileen.

niallb

Thanks Colm.
That seems likely.

The original plan for the 109B was Trim to Dunshaughlin via Kiltale which suited a lot of people very well.
I guess that's why none of us made any comments on the website.

The 109C suggested for Kilmessan would have shared a stop with the 109B at Kiltale allowing access to either Dublin or Dunshaughlin from either route with a transfer, but it was nuts to have any bus in this area 100% bypass Dunshaughlin particularly a service from Kilmessan.

I'm living in Kiltale with three kids in Dunshaughlin school and we all thought we were only weeks away from a bus service that made sense of how this area works together.

chewed

I see BE have already gone ahead with changes to the 111 route which will come into effect on Nov 27

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1478883514-111.pdf

I haven't gone through it in any great detail, but I see straight off they've removed the old 06.45 bus from Trim! Also if you happen to miss the 18.45 bus from Busaras in the evening you'll now have to wait 1.5 hours for the 20.15 bus.

The timetable only lists Busaras as the end destination (except the 1 UCD bus in the morning). Does this mean that none of the buses will be going southside anymore?

Andru93

chewed wrote: »

I see BE have already gone ahead with changes to the 111 route which will come into effect on Nov 27

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1478883514-111.pdf

I haven't gone through it in any great detail, but I see straight off they've removed the old 06.45 bus from Trim! Also if you happen to miss the 18.45 bus from Busaras in the evening you'll now have to wait 1.5 hours for the 20.15 bus.

The timetable only lists Busaras as the end destination (except the 1 UCD bus in the morning). Does this mean that none of the buses will be going southside anymore?

Looking at the press release on the website offers a little more detail to the changes: http://buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2189&month=Nov

The old 111 has been split into a few things.

111x - New Service started back in October running from Delivin to Athboy then express to Dublin
111 - Similar Service same route
111a - Cavan to Delvin
111b - Trim via Kilmessan & Dunshaulin to Dublin

Dubh Geannain

How reliable is the 111 from Trim at 6 am?

If it runs on time I've got 15 minutes to catch the first Belfast train from Connolly or am I leaving it too tight?

Dubh Geannain

To answer my own question, and for future reference for anyone that's curious.

I gambled on the 6:05 am bus and arrived at Busaras for 7:15 (it wasn't supposed to be due in until 7:20).

Left me with plenty of time to catch the 7:35 am train to Belfast from Connolly.

Cannon_fodder

chewed wrote: »

sorry, slightly off the topic here! Does the current 109 M3 express bus from Busaras still stop at Garlow Cross in the evenings ?

Yes

Andru93

Just an updated to the 109 for everyone:

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2378&month=Sep

Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority are pleased to announce the introduction of an enhanced bus service for our customers along the M3 Corridor and in particular the towns of Dunshaughlin, Navan, Kells, Virginia & Cavan. This follows the Bus Éireann/National Transport Authority review of services along the M3 Corridor and takes account of the feedback received from members of the public. The enhanced services will be introduced on Sunday, 17 September 2017.
How are my bus services changing?
This service change will see the current Route 109: Cavan – Virginia – Kells – Navan – Dunshaughlin – Dublin divided into 3 separate routes which will individually focus on certain sections of the corridor to provide an enhanced service offering including higher frequency, longer operating hours and quicker journey times to all our customers along the whole corridor. These changes will complement the improvements introduced on Route 109a: Kells – Navan – Dunshaughlin – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Dublin Airport – DCU – City Centre during the second half of 2016 and deliver a 24/7 bus service from Kells, Navan & Dunshaughlin to/from the city centre.
Route 109: Kells – Navan – Dunshaughlin – Bracetown – Navan Rd - City Centre
This service will follow the routing of the current Route 109 and will provide an hourly service linking Kells to the City Centre via the R147 via Navan, Dunshaughlin, Clonee, Blanchardstown & the Navan Rd terminating at Busaras. Additional services will operate in the morning & evening peak with some of these services extended to UCD.
Route 109X: Cavan – Virginia – Kells – M3 Motorway – City Centre
This service will follow the routing of the current Route 109 between Cavan and Kells before accessing the M3 Motorway south of Kells to continue its journey to the city stopping at Blanchardstown before entering the city via the Finglas QBC & O’Connell St before terminating at Busaras. This service will operate an hourly frequency from 04.45 from Cavan until 22.45 from the city centre. Additional services will operate in the morning & evening peak.
Route NX: Navan – M3 Motorway – City Centre – Wilton Terrace
This service will provide a fast, frequent and regular service from Navan to both the city centre and south city business zone. It will operate an extended routing in Navan to better serve residential areas before accessing the M3 Motorway to continue its journey to the city centre stopping at Blanchardstown before entering the city via the Finglas QBC, & O’Connell St before terminating at Wilton Terrace close to Leeson St. The service will operate every 20 mins from 05.40 until 20.00 and then every 30mins until last service at 23.30
Route 109a: Kells – Navan – Dunshaughlin – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Dublin Airport
This route will continue to operate as at present and provide an hourly service 24/7
A summary of how these service enhancements will impact on your individual towns is outlined:
Navan

• Navan to the City Centre – Your main service will be Route NX which will provide 98 daily services to/from the City Centre. Combined with Route 109a this will provide a 24/7 public transport link to the city.
• Route 109 will continue to provide an hourly link to the City Centre via the R147.
• Local linkages to Kells & Dunshaughlin – Route 109 & 109a will provide a service every 30mins for local trips between these towns and locations in between.
• Dublin Airport – Route 109a will continue to provide an hourly service to Ratoath, Ashbourne & Dublin Airport 24/7

Dunshaughlin

• Dunshaughlin to the City Centre – Your service to the city will be provided by Route 109 & 109B which will provide a service every 30mins throughout the day
• Local linkages to Kells & Navan – Route 109 & 109a will provide a service every 30mins for local trips between these towns and locations in between.
• Dublin Airport – Route 109a will continue to provide a service every 60 mins to/from Ratoath, Ashbourne & Dublin Airport 24/7

Kells

• Kells to the City Centre – Your service to the city will be provided by Route 109 & 109x which will provide a service every 30 mins throughout the day to/from the city centre
• Local linkages to Navan & Dunshaughlin – Route 109 & 109a will provide a service every 30mins for local trips between these towns and locations in between.
• Dublin Airport – Route 109a will continue to provide a service every 60 mins to/from Ratoath, Ashbourne & Dublin Airport 24/7

Cavan & Virginia

• Cavan & Virginia to the City Centre – Your service to the city will be provided by Route 109X which will provide a service every 60 mins throughout the day to/from the city centre with earlier and later departures.
• The departure times from Cavan & Dublin will now be at 00.45 mins to the hour
• Local linkages to Navan & Dunshaughlin – A limited number of Route 109x services will operate via Navan and at other times you can interchange onto Route 109 & 109a at Kells which will provide a service every 30mins for local trips between these towns and locations in between.

Services to the Mater Hospital
As part of these service changes Route 109, 109x & XN will provide enhanced linkages to the Mater Hospital. However the location of stops for certain services will change:

• Route 109 – This service will continue to serve the stops at Berkeley Rd & North Circular Rd.
• Route 109X – This closest inbound stop to the Mater Hospital will be Phibsboro & outbound at Lower Dorset St. Both stops are a short walk to the hospital
• Route NX – This closest inbound stop to the Mater Hospital will be Phibsboro & outbound at Lower Dorset St. Both stops are a short walk to the hospital

Services to Third Level Colleges
All Route will provide close connectivity to numerous third level colleges including the following

• Dublin City University – Route 109a operates directly to the university from Kells, Navan & Dunshaughlin. Customers from Cavan & Virginia can interchange onto this route in Kells.
• Blanchardstown Institute of Technology – Route 109, 109x & NX all serve the Blanchardstown Slip Rd stop which is a short walk from the college.
• Trinity College – Route NX stops at Westland Row adjacent to the University
• University College Dublin – Certain Route 109 & 109x peak hour services operate direct to the campus
• Dublin Institute of Technology – Route 109x & NX stop at Broadstone a short walk to both the Bolton St & Grangegorman Campuses, while all 3 routes stop at O’Connell St close to the Cathal Brugha Street Campus
• All our city centre stops are located close to Dublin Bus & Luas stops to facilitate interchange on these services to travel to other third level institutions

If you have any feedback in relation to the revised service offering please forward your comments to customercare@buseireann.ie
Bus Éireann would like to thank our customers for their continued support of the public transport network along the M3 Corridor and we look forward to welcoming you on board our improved services in the near future.
The service enhancements on Route’s 109, 109X & NX will be introduced on Sunday, 17 September 2017 and have been approved by the National Transport Authority.
Monday, 4th September, 2017