Bus Eireann N3/M3 Corridor Route & Timetable Changes - Phase 3

devnull

horseburger wrote: »

Indeed, people do take sides, but I would have thought a government minister would have a bit more cop on, than to just take one side, on an issue like this, where she followed up her stance, by issuing divisive statements.

People always issue divisive statements in a dispute, trade unions did it in the strike earlier this year, you never see people cuddling up to each other and saying lets be friends, it simply doesn't happen because each set of people tends to believe one thing and the other set believes another and are entrenched in their views.

Some of what she said was her opinion and some of what she said was backed up by Bus Eireann management and as I said previously, she's not the only TD to have this opinion at the end of the day, someone from Fianna Fail had a similar view and of course some people will disagree with those views just as some people will disagree with the drivers/union.

In a democracy people will always air a range of different views and from time to time they may involve some things that other people may not like, but that is part of living in a democracy, everyone can have their say and air the views and I think that makes our society better, not worse.

horseburger

devnull wrote: »

People always issue divisive statements in a dispute, trade unions did it in the strike earlier this year, you never see people cuddling up to each other and saying lets be friends, it simply doesn't happen because each set of people tends to believe one thing and the other set believes another and are entrenched in their views.

Some of what she said was her opinion and some of what she said was backed up by Bus Eireann management and as I said previously, she's not the only TD to have this opinion at the end of the day, someone from Fianna Fail had a similar view and of course some people will disagree with those views just as some people will disagree with the drivers/union.

In a democracy people will always air a range of different views and from time to time they may involve some things that other people may not like, but that is part of living in a democracy, everyone can have their say and air the views and I think that makes our society better, not worse.

I am making the point, that Regina Doherty need not have taken one side on the issue. She could have taken the time - but she didn't - to hear the concerns of both sides in this issue, before making any statement at all.

James Lawless of Fianna Fáil, and any other public representative who comments on an issue like this, should take the time to hear concerns of different sides in a dispute before commenting publicly on an issue.

Indeed, both sides in a dispute, do issue partisan statements, but I would have thought that any public representative should listen to what both sides are saying, rather than issuing divisive statements. If they did that their public statements would, at least, be more informed and balanced.

devnull

horseburger wrote: »

I am making the point, that Regina Doherty need not have taken one side on the issue. She could have taken the time - but she didn't - to hear the concerns of both sides in this issue, before making any statement at all.

Indeed, both sides in a dispute, do issue partisan statements, but I would have thought that any public representative should listen to what both sides are saying, rather than issuing divisive statements. If they did that their public statements would, at least, be more informed and balanced.

Do you think that when the likes of representatives from Sinn Fein or Solidarity etc issue statements backing the unions, they hold meetings with Bus Eireann as well as those with the unions? Because I strongly doubt they do, they'll just listen to one side as well, the side that happens to be closest aligned to their political beliefs or their personal beliefs on the matter at hand.

I would be very surprised if there are any apolitical TDs who were neutral in the country, whether they are left wing, right wing or centrists because being apolitical is the opposite of being political and politics by it's definition is going to be highly political.

What you are outlining is simply how politics works.

horseburger

devnull wrote: »

Do you think that when the likes of representatives from Sinn Fein or Solidarity etc issue statements backing the unions, they hold meetings with Bus Eireann as well as those with the unions? Because I strongly doubt they do, they'll just listen to one side as well, the side that happens to be closest aligned to their political beliefs or their personal beliefs on the matter at hand.

I would be very surprised if there are any apolitical TDs who were neutral in the country, whether they are left wing, right wing or centrists because being apolitical is the opposite of being political and politics by it's definition is going to be highly political.

What you are outlining is simply how politics works.

Perhaps, but it just seems to me that the particular comments by Regina Doherty, about drivers, only caused divisiveness, rather than contributing in any way towards resolving the issues regarding the revised services, or resolving the issues that are relevant to the operation of the new NX service. That is why I think her comments were unhelpful.

TheQuietFella

devnull wrote: »

There are so many incorrect things with your post and claims that I do not know where to start to be frank, but suffice to say your maths is seriously flawed.

€316k x 30 = €9.48m

I'm using the excuse it was a little late at night and I'm sticking to it!

Also I am not making claims but just asking a question!

devnull

Looks like we're back to issues again.

I take it disruption is the latest PR spin for cancelled?

We regret to inform customers in the Eastern Region of disruptions to the following services this evening:

109A
19.40 ex Kells to DAP (alternate services at 18.40 & 20.40)
21.15 ex DAP to Kells (alternate services at 20.15 & 22.15)

NX
17.40 ex Wilton Terrace to Navan (alternative service at 18.00)
19.20 ex Navan to Wilton Terrace(alternative service at 20.00)

103
17.58 ex Beresford Place to Ratoath (20 mins frequency)
22.28 ex Beresford Place to Ratoath (20 mins frequency)
23.32 ex Ratoath to Beresford Place (20 mins frequency)

111
18.45 Ex Athboy to Dublin (alternate services at 17.45 & 19.45)
21.15 Ex Busaras to Athboy (alternate services at 20.15 & 22.15)

Commuter109

Is there talk of them further reviewing the changes they have made at the end of October and possibly making tweaks?

Cant remember if i read it or dreamed it! but surely something has to give, they cant go on with the levels of cancellations we witnessed in the last month or so ?

horseburger

Commuter109 wrote: »

Is there talk of them further reviewing the changes they have made at the end of October and possibly making tweaks?

Cant remember if i read it or dreamed it! but surely something has to give, they cant go on with the levels of cancellations we witnessed in the last month or so ?

If they do make changes, my guess is that they might make the NX service less frequent throughout the day to and from Dublin, as there are times when the NX and 109 leave Navan within minutes of each other, and the NX is nowhere near full.

I may be incorrect on this, but I think maybe there are cases of cancellations, where a service, due to issues like traffic congestion at certain times in the day, is not able to get back to either Navan or Dublin, on time for its scheduled return departure time.

Can anyone confirm, if that is what is occurring, and if it is this, that is contributing to the cases of cancellations, of specific later scheduled services?

I'm just wondering, why some of the cancellations, that occurred a few weeks ago, were posted on Bus Éireann's website, a few hours before the cancelled services, were scheduled to operate.

A few people have posted here and elsewhere that Bus Éireann started this NX Navan-Johnstown-Dublin service, without having enough drivers available, to operate such a frequent service, throughout the day.

I'm wondering, how long in advance of scheduled upcoming services, does Bus Éireann know if there are drivers available, to these operate upcoming services?

How long in advance of services, does Bus Éireann arrange to have drivers available, to operate these services?

gazzer

Quickest time every on a bus from Dublin to Virginia the other day. Last Sunday I got the 4.15pm bus from Busarus and was in Virginia at 5.38.

tom23

Commuter109 wrote: »

Is there talk of them further reviewing the changes they have made at the end of October and possibly making tweaks?

Cant remember if i read it or dreamed it! but surely something has to give, they cant go on with the levels of cancellations we witnessed in the last month or so ?

I'd be interested in that as well. Maybe LXFlyer might have heard a snippet! I would question the frequency after peak times. Is the numbers there to justify bus every 20 mins to and from Navan? Can't speak for the rest of the changes as I don't know anything about them.

haro124

I do like the fact that the NX goes from Wilton Terrace at all times as it saves me the trip to busaras! But I do wonder how they will keep up the frequency of buses as I got a midday bus on Saturday to Navn and was the only person for the entire trip!

horseburger

haro124 wrote: »

I do like the fact that the NX goes from Wilton Terrace at all times as it saves me the trip to busaras! But I do wonder how they will keep up the frequency of buses as I got a midday bus on Saturday to Navn and was the only person for the entire trip!

That's what I think is the concerning thing about the frequency of the NX being every 20 minutes.

Often the 109 and NX leave Navan Market Square within minutes of each other. And if you are waiting at Beresford Place and if you are informed that you just missed an NX service, rather than waiting a full 20 minutes or more, if you go down to Bus Aras, you could get a 109 that leaves around the same time as the next NX is scheduled to leave Beresford Place, or before the next NX is scheduled to leave. That happened me recently, where I went down to Beresford Place, and just missed an NX, and was informed that the next NX would be due to leave in 40 minutes. I think the driver of that next scheduled NX from Beresford place, got delayed with traffic, coming to Dublin from Navan on the NX, and was due a break, which is fair.

I went to Bus Aras and got a 109 that was leaving in a few minutes. I guess it is very possible that I got to Navan before the next scheduled NX got to Navan, even though the 109 went through Dunshaughlin.

I found that prior to 17th September, that there was, more often than not - throughout the day, to and from Dublin - more than enough space for people at Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin, going to and from Dublin on the 109s that served Cavan, to and from Dublin.

Certain 109s from Cavan did not serve Dunshaughlin - and certain 109s from Cavan in the early morning avoided Navan - but many did serve Dunshaughlin, and I found that on these services that there was enough space for people at Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells, as well as Cavan, for example the 10.30pm 109 from Bus Aras.

Now with the NX picking up at Navan Market Square, Johnstown and some other stops in the Navan area like Ardboyne Bridge, Navan (Opposite Meath County Council), Navan (opposite IDA Ireland), Dalgan Park and Garlow Cross - at certain times during the day, you might have just six, seven or eight people, on the bus going to and from Navan and Dublin.

If there are going to be changes made to the NX timetable, my guess is that the frequency of the NX might be reduced.

What do you reckon?

Slippin Jimmy

horseburger wrote: »

Now with the NX only picking up at Johnstown, at certain times during the day, you might have six, seven or eight people, on the bus going to and from Navan and Dublin.

Does the NX not pick up in Johnstown throughout the day?

horseburger

Slippin Jimmy wrote: »

Does the NX not pick up in Johnstown throughout the day?

All NX services pick up and drop off at Johnstown.

I should have written that during the day, considering the NX serves Navan Market Square and Johnstown, and some other stops in the Navan area, like Ardboyne Bridge, Garlow Cross and Dalgan Park - at certain times during the day, you might have just six, seven or eight people, on the NX bus going to and from Navan and Dublin.

I have edited the sentence in the post above, to which you replied, to rephrase what I had written, to mention other Navan stops covered on the NX service; Ardboyne Bridge, Navan (Opposite Meath County Council), Navan (opposite IDA Ireland), Dalgan Park and Garlow Cross.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=105057477&postcount=263

http://buseireann.ie/timetables/1504435631-NX.pdf

The point I was making, was that the previous 109 services going to and from Dublin and Cavan, that served Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin. were - more often than not - able to accommodate people waiting at the intermediate stops at Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin.

As a result, I am not sure if the current frequency of the NX can be sustained, considering that many of the NX services, do not have that many passengers on board, after they serve the Navan stops, on the way to Dublin.

As an example of how there was usually enough space on the previous 109 services that covered Cavan to and from Dublin, I gave the example of the 10.30pm 109 service, from Bus Aras to Cavan, very often having enough space for people at Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin, as well Cavan.

tom23

haro124 wrote: »

I do like the fact that the NX goes from Wilton Terrace at all times as it saves me the trip to busaras! But I do wonder how they will keep up the frequency of buses as I got a midday bus on Saturday to Navn and was the only person for the entire trip!

Well there you go! Nice to have the bus to ones self!

haro124

tom23 wrote: »

Well there you go! Nice to have the bus to ones self!

But also I noticed five confused people at the ardboyne when the bus back to Dublin s
Turned to Johnstown😅

Ally Dick

I book the 109 online. I go to Busaras and queue for ages. I get to the top of the queue. The staff member shouts "Dunshaughlin only" and I am told to go to Beresford Place After several head scratching laps of Busaras I ask another staff member for help. He directs me to Liberty Hall to get the Navan X. I am fuming at this point. In fairness though the bus is empty and quite plush. Can't see it lasting though if Bus Eireann are losing money!

horseburger

Ally Dick wrote: »

I book the 109 online. I go to Busaras and queue for ages. I get to the top of the queue. The staff member shouts "Dunshaughlin only" and I am told to go to Beresford Place After several head scratching laps of Busaras I ask another staff member for help. He directs me to Liberty Hall to get the Navan X. I am fuming at this point. In fairness though the bus is empty and quite plush. Can't see it lasting though if Bus Eireann are losing money!

What time had you intended getting the 109 from Bus Aras?

The reason I ask is that at certain times of the day, there are 109 services that are hourly, to and from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin and Dublin.

Since the timetable changes made on 17th September, there are also certain separate 109 services, to and from Dunshaughlin and Bus Aras. For example, there are 109 services that end in Dunshaughlin, which leave Bus Aras at 8.15am, 10.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm, 4.15pm, 6.15pm and 8.15pm.

Was it for one of these services, that you had been queueing, by mistake?

If you were getting a 109 bus, at a time when the 109 is hourly from Bus Aras to Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells - for example shortly before 7pm, when the 109 services to Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells are hourly at 45 minutes past the hour, from 6.45pm - the two staff members that suggested going to Beresford Place, might have done so because the NX is scheduled every 20 minutes from Beresford Place to Navan.

Depending on what time you arrived at Bus Aras, you could have been waiting less time at Beresford Place, for the next NX to Navan - than you might have been waiting, for the next 109, from Bus Aras, to Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells.

If you had stayed at Bus Aras, how long would you have had to wait, at Bus Aras, for the next 109 to Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells?

Had you just missed a 109 to Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells, when you got to Bus Aras?

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1504435589-109.pdf

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1504435631-NX.pdf

Coinsguy

Want to get the 109 from Dublin to navan at around midnight or 1am this Sunday night / Monday morning (public holiday). Their timetables are fairly confusing now. The nx doesn't look like it'll cover those times, but the 109a looks like it might!? Don't trust their timetables anyway, don't think they leave from Busaras at those times right?

horseburger

Coinsguy wrote: »

Want to get the 109 from Dublin to navan at around midnight or 1am this Sunday night / Monday morning (public holiday). Their timetables are fairly confusing now. The nx doesn't look like it'll cover those times, but the 109a looks like it might!? Don't trust their timetables anyway, don't think they leave from Busaras at those times right?

The last 109 is 11.45pm every night, including Public Holidays, from the main entrance side of Bus Aras.

After that, you can get the 109A from the Store Street side of Bus Aras, every night, including Public Holidays, at 12.25am, 1.25am, 2.25am, 3.25am, 4.25am, 5.25am and 6.25am.

The 109A has been operating hourly, 24 hours, to and from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Ashbourne and Dublin Airport, since the end of July 2016.

At night, the 109A has been serving Bus Aras, to and from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Ashbourne - as well as serving Dublin Airport, to and from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Ashbourne - on the hourly services during the night, since the end of July 2016.

When leaving from Bus Aras throughout the night, on the 109A, Dublin Airport is a pick up stop only. You can't buy a ticket at Bus Aras to get out at Dublin Airport.

The DCU stop is not served on the 109A services that operate throughout the night.

The 109A operates throughout the night to Dublin Airport and Bus Aras, from Kells, Navan, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Ashbourne.

The 109A services leave Kells Town Hall at 12.45am, 1.45am, 2.45am, 3.45am, 4.45am, 5.45am, 6.45am and 7.45am, and continue to leave Kells Town Hall at 45 minutes past the hour throughout the day.

The last NX on Sunday nights and Public Holidays is at 11.30pn from Wilton Terrace, which also picks up at 11.45pm from Beresford Place.

The last NX service, Monday to Saturday, from Wilton Terrace is at 11.10pm, which also picks up at Beresford Place, at 11.25pm.

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1473263565-109A.pdf
http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1504435589-109.pdf
http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1504435631-NX.pdf

The number 30 Donegal Town service at midnight from the Store Street side of Bus Aras, serves Navan and Kells, as drop off points.

This midnight number 30 Donegal Town service from the Store Street side of Bus Aras, had been serving Navan and Kells, from the end of June 2008 until 29th May 2011, and then from October 2012. It served Navan and Kells, at a time when the last 109 services from Bus Aras were at 11pm every night, before the 24 hour 109A service was introduced at the end of July 2016.

I think it was in October 2011, that the 109 timetable was changed, to running a last 109 service from Bus Aras to Clonee, Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells, at 11.30pm Monday to Saturday, but 11pm on Sundays. The 109 timetable had been changed in May 2011, where certain 109 services from Cavan started serving Dublin Airport, but these 109 services were changed again a few months later on 23rd October 2011, which meant that the 109 services stopped serving Dublin Airport, and the 109A was extended to serve Kells.
http://www.buseireann.ie/news.php?id=1012&month=Oct
http://www.buseireann.ie/news.php?id=956&month=May

At that time, before the 24 hour 109A started at the end of July 2016, the last service you could get to Navan and Kells, from Sunday to Thursday, was the midnight number 30 bus to Donegal.
(The 109N which operated from Bus Aras at 12.30am and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights, from November 2003, was ended in May 2017).

http://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/1469801409-30.pdf

Keep checking Bus Éireann's website for any cancellations to the 109A services that may occur. I just saw this item detailing cancellations of some 109A services that were scheduled to operate last night and early this morning (Friday night / Saturday morning)

The press release is dated 28th October and the time is listed as updated midnight, so I think the services it mentions refer to services that were cancelled last night - Friday night 27th October / Saturday morning 29th October.

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=2446&month=Oct

Slippin Jimmy

What's the NX like in the morning from the square? Is it anywhere near full? I'll be getting it between 07.20-08.00 as far as Blanchardstown.

magentis

Slippin Jimmy wrote: »

What's the NX like in the morning from the square? Is it anywhere near full? I'll be getting it between 07.20-08.00 as far as Blanchardstown.

Nowhere near full and usually 85 seat LD's on it,25-35 normally.

tom23

So a year or more using this service what's people's thoughts on it?

I think it would be quicker flying to London. A service that that uses a small part if a motorway and has effectively replaced the local bus town bus in Johnstown is not in anyway an 'express' bus service.

I wish there was a train service to Navan but am now throing in the towel and getting a car and either driving to dun Boyne to get the train or driving all the way. We are 45k from Dublin and obe does not need to spend close to two hours on a bus trying to get to work.

kccamper

Very frustrating indeed and MCC announced €454 million of planned expenditure yesterday and no sign of any earmarked for a rail line to Dublin.

tom23

kccamper wrote: »

Very frustrating indeed and MCC announced €454 million of planned expenditure yesterday and no sign of any earmarked for a rail line to Dublin.

It is and what do we do? Lobby? Not worth a damn. Meath it seems is an overflow carpark for commuters and for houses. I think a huge portion of blame should be shouldered by meath county council and definitely NTA. Meath a huge county, no bus station of any kind. The main city centre bus stop Beresford place has one bus shelter for about 8 people. I counted at least 70 yesterday trying to get on ashbourne and Navan buses. Add to that a Paddy wagon coach pulling in to let off all of its tourists and get their bags. Crazy stuff. It seems the NX service was designed for the good folk of Johnstown with no consideration for anyone else.

sofireland

tom23 wrote: »

So a year or more using this service what's people's thoughts on it?

I think it would be quicker flying to London. A service that that uses a small part if a motorway and has effectively replaced the local bus town bus in Johnstown is not in anyway an 'express' bus service.

I wish there was a train service to Navan but am now throing in the towel and getting a car and either driving to dun Boyne to get the train or driving all the way. We are 45k from Dublin and obe does not need to spend close to two hours on a bus trying to get to work.

tom23 wrote: »

It is and what do we do? Lobby? Not worth a damn. Meath it seems is an overflow carpark for commuters and for houses. I think a huge portion of blame should be shouldered by meath county council and definitely NTA. Meath a huge county, no bus station of any kind. The main city centre bus stop Beresford place has one bus shelter for about 8 people. I counted at least 70 yesterday trying to get on ashbourne and Navan buses. Add to that a Paddy wagon coach pulling in to let off all of its tourists and get their bags. Crazy stuff. It seems the NX service was designed for the good folk of Johnstown with no consideration for anyone else.

Echos my thoughts on this whole debacle.
I moved to the train from M3 parkway this week, i'm in the office half an hour earlier. Leaving the house five minutes earlier.

The length of time to get through the city centre in the evening is criminal.

I believe the NTA is more culpable for the lack of rail line, once it got kicked of the capital programme by government, the NTA had all the excuses they needed to totally kibosh the rail extension to Navan, and saddle us with a laughable "express" service to Dublin.

piplip87

tom23 wrote: »

So a year or more using this service what's people's thoughts on it?

I think it would be quicker flying to London. A service that that uses a small part if a motorway and has effectively replaced the local bus town bus in Johnstown is not in anyway an 'express' bus service.

I wish there was a train service to Navan but am now throing in the towel and getting a car and either driving to dun Boyne to get the train or driving all the way. We are 45k from Dublin and obe does not need to spend close to two hours on a bus trying to get to work.

I'm using the 109x service. It's a shambles. The NX route should take all people to Navan. The 109x should not go near Navan especially when there is plenty of busses between Navan and Kells to provide connections.

Thankfully the increased frequency of the 30/30x is a blessing never really takes more than 80 minutes.

There 5:15 service operated by Tully's direct to Kells via the port tunnel could do with a rethink though. The 109x that leaves at the same time could stop in Kells and the Tully's bus serve Virginia and Cavan.

All 109x/109/NX should stop at the M3 Parkway it would knock serious time off commuters at peak times if it was set up correctly. Especially in the evening where it's an hour to Blanchardstown.

thomasj

I think your best chance is to lobby the NTA to provide a bus service between Navan and M3 parkway and then you can use the usage numbers from that bus service to push your case for a railway service .

Irish Steve

The whole M3/N3/N2 corridor is a mess, and not getting better, between absurd routing, appalling on time performance, and a structure that defies imagination, the only reason for using it for most people is the unfortunate reality that there is no real alternative.

Given the proximity of the M3 parkway station to the motorway, I cannot understand why it is not being used much more positively as a staging and interchange point for the services in the area, and for other feeder services to areas on the south side of Dublin. There is no valid reason for not having feeder services into M3 from places like Blanchardstown Hospital, Blanchardstown Shopping centre, the industrial estates around that area, and maybe even places like Intel at Leixlip, as well as Dublln Bus/Go Ahead routes serving locations inside the M50 ring.

I suspect if it was done properly, regular feeders round the M50 to places like Tallaght, Sandyford, Citywest and Parkwest would also attract additional customers, and reduce the number of vehicles commuting. Given the time delays that are incurred, there can be no valid reason for forcing people to go into central Dublin if they actually want to get to other parts of the city, there are many areas of the city that have a massive work population, but there are nowhere near the centre of the city.

All of the services from M3 should then run from there non stop to the city via Port Tunnel, and realistically, there is a case to be made that a significant number of buses that currently serve Central Dublin should turn round at M3, with a high frequency service to central Dublin being provided as a separate option from M3, as that will also help with time keeping.

tom23

Great replies folks. I am actually thinking off starting up a brand new thread for the North East routes especially for Navan, Kells and Cavan with the view of collating commuters opinions and ideas to sending to the NTA.

This revamp service has been in existence for 18 months and there is not a week that goes by where I wish we had the old bone shaker express that left Market Square at 07:05 and 07:20. That was in all sense and purposes an express.

But for me the fact there is no bus shuttle service to the M3 parkway is damming.

What do other posters think?

tara83

tom23 wrote: »

Great replies folks. I am actually thinking off starting up a brand new thread for the North East routes especially for Navan, Kells and Cavan with the view of collating commuters opinions and ideas to sending to the NTA.

This revamp service has been in existence for 18 months and there is not a week that goes by where I wish we had the old bone shaker express that left Market Square at 07:05 and 07:20. That was in all sense and purposes an express.

But for me the fact there is no bus shuttle service to the M3 parkway is damming.

What do other posters think?

Agree although the M3 to Docklands is already beyond capacity at peak times. Something major needs to be done to improve commuting from Meath. It's so frustrating and I can only see it going 1 way for the foreseeable. It needs to be on everyone's agenda when speaking with local CC campaigning over the next few weeks

tom23

tara83 wrote: »

Agree although the M3 to Docklands is already beyond capacity at peak times. Something major needs to be done to improve commuting from Meath. It's so frustrating and I can only see it going 1 way for the foreseeable. It needs to be on everyone's agenda when speaking with local CC campaigning over the next few weeks

Absolutely agree. I'll be speaking with all councillors that call on my door. I want a proper service in place for my children when they do go to college. Only way change is going to happen is we make it.

horseburger

piplip87 wrote: »

I'm using the 109x service. It's a shambles. The NX route should take all people to Navan. The 109x should not go near Navan especially when there is plenty of busses between Navan and Kells to provide connections.

Thankfully the increased frequency of the 30/30x is a blessing never really takes more than 80 minutes.

There 5:15 service operated by Tully's direct to Kells via the port tunnel could do with a rethink though. The 109x that leaves at the same time could stop in Kells and the Tully's bus serve Virginia and Cavan.

All 109x/109/NX should stop at the M3 Parkway it would knock serious time off commuters at peak times if it was set up correctly. Especially in the evening where it's an hour to Blanchardstown.

If the 109X from Cavan, did not serve Navan at all, there would be no services from Cavan to Navan, that would not involve having to change buses.

I think the problem, for anyone in Cavan going to Navan, might be the wait time in Kells, because the 109, 109A and 109X are hourly services, as opposed to the NX between Navan and Dublin, which is far more frequent.

It might be ok, if there were never any traffic delays, because in theory, the 109X leaving Cavan at 45 minutes past the hour, should be in Kells Town Hall at exactly the same time that the 109A is due to leave Kells Town Hall, each hour at 15 minutes to the hour. The 109X is due in Kells Town Hall at 45 minutes past the hour - 30 minutes before the 109 is due to leave Kells Town Hall, at 15 minutes past the hour.

If people in Cavan wanted to go to Navan by bus, if they had to take the 109X from Cavan to Kells Town Hall, and then wait in Kells to connect with the hourly 109 or 109A services, they might be inclined to drive instead, due to the possibility of traffic delays and missing the 109A connection, and the possibility of having to wait up to a half an hour and longer, in Kells Town Hall for the next hourly 109 or 109A services from Kells Town Hall to Navan.

If the Cavan bus that is due in Kells Town Hall at 45 minutes past the hour, was late, and the 109A that leaves Kells Town Hall at 15 minutes to the hour had already left, then anyone from Cavan for Navan, would have to wait in Kells for the 109 at 15 minutes past the hour.

Irish Steve

Don't rely on the 109A, there are very few days when it's on time, and in recent weeks, at Ashbourne, at certain times it is up to 50 yes 50 minutes late on the Kells to Airport run, and also late in the opposite direction, if it even shows up, and that's not just at peak periods, the same issues can and do happen at 0430 in the morning.

What's even more annoying and frustrating is that there seems to be absolutely no interest or concern from any of the BE management in resolving the problems, they seem to see nothing wrong with no shows or massive late running.

I suspect that the only thing that will get their attention is when the contract is up for renewal, hopefully a more responsive company will get it next time round, and will deliver a service that's more reliable. Unfortunately, it's a waste of time complaining to TFI or NTA, they are just another semi state that is toothless when it comes to actually making things work the way they are supposed to.

tom23

Irish Steve wrote: »

Don't rely on the 109A, there are very few days when it's on time, and in recent weeks, at Ashbourne, at certain times it is up to 50 yes 50 minutes late on the Kells to Airport run, and also late in the opposite direction, if it even shows up, and that's not just at peak periods, the same issues can and do happen at 0430 in the morning.

What's even more annoying and frustrating is that there seems to be absolutely no interest or concern from any of the BE management in resolving the problems, they seem to see nothing wrong with no shows or massive late running.

I suspect that the only thing that will get their attention is when the contract is up for renewal, hopefully a more responsive company will get it next time round, and will deliver a service that's more reliable. Unfortunately, it's a waste of time complaining to TFI or NTA, they are just another semi state that is toothless when it comes to actually making things work the way they are supposed to.

Wow 25 minutes to get through Navan and the suburb of Johnstown on to the m3. A new record for the jonstown nx express. It's effectively a local service in the am for Jonstown. It seems if you live in any other part of Navan you are at a serious disadvantage trim road, proudstown or Boyne road)

tom23

So the other aspect that is killing this NX service is the trip into the Blanchardstown center. Stuck on the slip road into it because of traffic. I understand why they forced a relocation of a stop but was this really the best solution? Already excess time on to a journey that is taking for to long.

thomasj

The sliproads into and out the centre should be 100% bus lane, get private traffic to come in from the snugborough end

piplip87

horseburger wrote: »

If the 109X from Cavan, did not serve Navan at all, there would be no services from Cavan to Navan, that would not involve having to change buses.

I think the problem, for anyone in Cavan going to Navan, might be the wait time in Kells, because the 109, 109A and 109X are hourly services, as opposed to the NX between Navan and Dublin, which is far more frequent.

It might be ok, if there were never any traffic delays, because in theory, the 109X leaving Cavan at 45 minutes past the hour, should be in Kells Town Hall at exactly the same time that the 109A is due to leave Kells Town Hall, each hour at 15 minutes to the hour. The 109X is due in Kells Town Hall at 45 minutes past the hour - 30 minutes before the 109 is due to leave Kells Town Hall, at 15 minutes past the hour.

If people in Cavan wanted to go to Navan by bus, if they had to take the 109X from Cavan to Kells Town Hall,

Who in the name of jaysus wants to go from Cavan to Navan at 4:45 in the morning ? That is my biggest issue with going through Navan. This is after sitting in Carnoross for maybe 10 minutes, sitting in Kells for maybe 10 minutes because whatever genius came up with the timetable doesn't get the bus or realise that depending on time of day you can do Virginia to Kells in 15 minutes.


The 30/30X Expressway bus has started accepting the Taxsaver ticket, it's an absolute game changer at this time of the morning but saying that if BE showed on the timetable that it takes 20 minutes to Kells from Virginia on weekends and early mornings it would possibly beat the 30.

5:05 30x will get me in for 6:25 - 6:30

5:15 109x will get me in at 6:45-7:00, On a Saturday morning this will be 6:35 -6:45.

Without the pissing about waiting at stops on the way to Kells it could be 6:20.

tom23

Does anybody use the 109 that goes along the old route? Think one leaves bus Eireann at 4:15. Would be interested to see what time it takes to get from Dublin to Navan. Am I right in saying it avoids Johnstown? To me that is one of the biggest reasons the NX is crap.

Lord Glentoran

tom23 wrote: »

Does anybody use the 109 that goes along the old route? Think one leaves bus Eireann at 4:15. Would be interested to see what time it takes to get from Dublin to Navan. Am I right in saying it avoids Johnstown? To me that is one of the biggest reasons the NX is crap.

And to think we get a raft of posts whenever the subject is raised that extending the railway from M3 Parkway to Navan is utterly unnecessary, because the bus service is now so exemplary.

There aren't enough rolleyes emojis in the world to note this.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Geog1234

First-thing and late-evening 109X services in the last week have been going via Ballyjamesduff due to roadworks on the N3 (leaving/rejoining the N3 at New Inns).

Friday evening Dublin-Cavan left Busáras a few minutes behind schedule and reached Cavan a few minutes early - even with the Ballyjamesduff diversion there is slack in the schedule.

horseburger

piplip87 wrote: »

Who in the name of jaysus wants to go from Cavan to Navan at 4:45 in the morning ? That is my biggest issue with going through Navan. This is after sitting in Carnoross for maybe 10 minutes, sitting in Kells for maybe 10 minutes because whatever genius came up with the timetable doesn't get the bus or realise that depending on time of day you can do Virginia to Kells in 15 minutes.


The 30/30X Expressway bus has started accepting the Taxsaver ticket, it's an absolute game changer at this time of the morning but saying that if BE showed on the timetable that it takes 20 minutes to Kells from Virginia on weekends and early mornings it would possibly beat the 30.

5:05 30x will get me in for 6:25 - 6:30

5:15 109x will get me in at 6:45-7:00, On a Saturday morning this will be 6:35 -6:45.

Without the pissing about waiting at stops on the way to Kells it could be 6:20.

Apparently not you, but that doesn't mean that no one else does.

Is it just the 4.45am bus from Cavan, that you want to avoid Navan? Are you ok with the other 109X services, that are scheduled to serve Navan?

I'm sure passengers at Cavan Town, going to Dublin, would be happy if they could take the 109X and avoid Virginia, Carnaross and Kells, as well as Navan, if it was possible.

But perhaps they realise, that people live in the towns and villages that are located in between Cavan and Navan, and they understand, that for that reason, the Cavan bus serves the locations in between, to accommodate passengers going to and from these locations and Dublin, as well as to and from Cavan and Virginia, Cavan and Kells, Cavan and Carnaross, Cavan and Navan, Virginia and Carnaross, Virginia and Kells, Virginia and Navan, Carnaross and Navan, and Carnaross and Kells.

What service are you proposing that Bus Éireann operate, between Cavan and Navan and the locations in between Virginia and Navan, if you are unhappy with the 109X covering the locations in between Virginia and Navan?

tom23

Lord Glentoran wrote: »

And to think we get a raft of posts whenever the subject is raised that extending the railway from M3 Parkway to Navan is utterly unnecessary, because the bus service is now so exemplary.

There aren't enough rolleyes emojis in the world to note this.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Well I can tell you it is necessary and the bus service is not exemplary (unless you are referring to another user here who I have on an ignore list).

Anyway I am so desperate now to avoid going through Johnstown to reach its suburb of Navan Town that I would try anything to avoid it. I was thinking that the old 109 might work, any time that was gained on the M50 is lost going through Johnstown. I'll gladly suffer the old Cabra road, Dunshaughlin and the N3.

horseburger

tom23 wrote: »

Well I can tell you it is necessary and the bus service is not exemplary (unless you are referring to another user here who I have on an ignore list).

Anyway I am so desperate now to avoid going through Johnstown to reach its suburb of Navan Town that I would try anything to avoid it. I was thinking that the old 109 might work, any time that was gained on the M50 is lost going through Johnstown. I'll gladly suffer the old Cabra road, Dunshaughlin and the N3.

People in Kells who take the 109 to and from Dublin daily, would be delighted if the 109 avoided Navan.

109 users from Kells, going to and from Dublin, consider having to stop in Navan, every bit as much a pain in the ass, as you consider Johnstown on the NX.

If you lived in Kells and used the 109 for Dublin every day, I'm sure you'd be more than happy if the 109 never served Navan.

But because you are only going as far as Navan, you don't mind Kells passengers on the 109 from Dublin, having to "suffer" Navan, as well as the other places on the 109 route, that you mentioned, that you'd ideally avoid.

piplip87

horseburger wrote: »

Apparently not you, but that doesn't mean that no one else does.

Is it just the 4.45am bus from Cavan, that you want to avoid Navan? Are you ok with the other 109X services, that are scheduled to serve Navan?

I'm sure passengers at Cavan Town, going to Dublin, would be happy if they could take the 109X and avoid Virginia, Carnaross and Kells, as well as Navan, if it was possible.

But perhaps they realise, that people live in the towns and villages that are located in between Cavan and Navan, and they understand, that for that reason, the Cavan bus serves the locations in between, to accommodate passengers going to and from these locations and Dublin, as well as to and from Cavan and Virginia, Cavan and Kells, Cavan and Carnaross, Cavan and Navan, Virginia and Carnaross, Virginia and Kells, Virginia and Navan, Carnaross and Navan, and Carnaross and Kells.

What service are you proposing that Bus Éireann operate, between Cavan and Navan and the locations in between Virginia and Navan, if you are unhappy with the 109X covering the locations in between Virginia and Navan?

The service I would propose is:

109x Cavan, Virginia, Kells, Dublin. - Hourly as it is. With an adjusted timetable that will stop busses having to stay at a stop for 15 minutes because there early.

Example : Cavan 4:45 Virginia 5;10 Kells 5:25. If it's a few minutes late then so be it.

There is no need for an express bus from Virginia because we already have one in the 30/30x.

For Navan, there would have to be a survey carried out regarding this. From what I have seen (regularly use the 5:10 and 11:10 from Virginia and the 9:15 am bus from Dublin) Very few people actually get on in or go to Navan

horseburger

piplip87 wrote: »

The service I would propose is:

109x Cavan, Virginia, Kells, Dublin. - Hourly as it is. With an adjusted timetable that will stop busses having to stay at a stop for 15 minutes because there early.

Example : Cavan 4:45 Virginia 5;10 Kells 5:25. If it's a few minutes late then so be it.

There is no need for an express bus from Virginia because we already have one in the 30/30x.

For Navan, there would have to be a survey carried out regarding this. From what I have seen (regularly use the 5:10 and 11:10 from Virginia and the 9:15 am bus from Dublin) Very few people actually get on in or go to Navan

At the moment, Navan is served every two hours on the Cavan Dublin 109X service.

If Navan is served less often on the 109X to and from Cavan, a follow on from that - unless a separate local service is ever proposed by Bus Éireann or any other bus company - would be less services to and from Navan and Virginia, Navan and Carnaross, and less services to and from Navan and Whitegate.

Consideration would need to be made, regarding how that would affect bus users in these locations, who are going to and from Navan.

As far as I am aware, there is no other daily bus service that connects Navan to Virginia, Carnaross or Whitegate.

But in contrast, if the 109 service was ever changed, to avoid Navan, or if it was ever proposed that certain 109 services to and from Dublin and Kells, avoided Navan, passengers in Navan, who go to and from Dublin on the 109, could still use the more frequent NX service.

If it was ever proposed that less 109 services covered Navan, passengers going to and from Navan and Kells, could still use the hourly 109A service.

But, as far as I am aware, there is no daily bus service - other than the 109X - that connects Navan, Carnaross, Whitegate and Virginia.

Irish Steve

Came back up the Ballybin road earlier, and a 109A passed me at the Ratoath end, heading for Kells. This was 18:50, so I find myself wondering was it the 1800 Ashbourne departure, running over 40 minutes later, or the 1900 Departure from Ashbourne, running nearly 20 minutes early. Either way, there's an issue there, but contacting BE will be a waste of time, based on previous responses, the customer service unit basically don't seem to care, but either way, this is the sort of scenario that should (hopefully) lead to this route being either rescheduled to solve the inability to run to time, or given to a different service provider who will hopefully be able to run the service in accordance with the timetable.

piplip87

Serious slack on the 23:15 109x service. I get this regularly. Usually gets into Virginia at about 00:45. After leaving late, stopping in Blanch for 5 minutes and maybe Kells for 10.

Donahue's have been operating the service a fair bit over the past few weeks on behalf of BE. Leaves on time doesn't stick to the schedule at all. Blanch at 23'35 Virginia at 00:25.

Doesn't seem like too much but jaysus it was great to make closing time last night Surely the timetables could be looked at again.

tom23

Abysmal service again this evening on NX. 04:20 now departs at 04:35. Soul destroying. Can somebody in NTA please take note that beresford stop is not fit for purpose. It’s too congested with to many people using at peak times especially in wet weather.

sofireland

So, the 510 service didn't show at Wilton Terrace, the 530 arrived at 545, the same time as 550 service.

It is an absolute shambles. The NX service