Customer numbers increase four-fold thanks to new bus services
Meath County Council is delighted to confirm the recent completion of construction works associated with the delivery of new bus stop facilities in Navan. The works, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), has included the delivery of 53 new wheelchair-accessible bus stops along with signage and information display units. Minor refurbishment work to 13 existing bus stops within the town has also been completed.
The new stops are located to facilitate N1 and N2 Navan town bus routes that were introduced a year ago this week. The services are operated by Bus Éireann and funded by NTA.
The people of Navan have responded very positively to introduction of N1 and N2 one year ago. In 2018 and 2019, the town services attracted about 4,000 passengers each four-week period. The figure now, is over 16,000 which is a major jump in patronage.
These new stops form a network that facilitates convenient travel across the town on the N1 and N2, and also support the planned expansion and development of Navan into the future. The new bus infrastructure and services facilitate new ways to get to work, schools, healthcare facilities, civil amenities and leisure activities.
The N1 and N2 operate seven days a week and provide a bus approximately every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every 60 minutes on Sundays. The services provide a regular, reliable and convenient way of getting around the town, on low-floor vehicles buses that are fully wheelchair accessible.
In the near future, these bus services will connect with the Kennedy Road bus interchange facility providing potential interchange with regional buses for onward travel to such destinations such as Trim, Kells, Drogheda, Dublin, Cavan and Dublin Airport. They will also help make Navan a more attractive and accessible place to visit and stay.
Meath County Council Chief Executive Jackie Maguire commented “Navan is at a key stage in its development. As its population grows, the town must adapt to meet its needs. The completion of these new bus stops supports that adaption and provides opportunity for sustainable travel choices, and delivers a new, frequent, accessible and convenient public transport service for the town. They will make for a better experience for those living in and visiting the town, and will provide a real alternative to car trips around Navan, which will bring environmental and health benefits.”
Allen Parker Bus Eireann Chief Customer Officer said: ”Bus Éireann is proud to operate the Navan town bus service, as well as commuter services from Navan to Dublin. The town service has grown exponentially, thanks to the support of residents in Navan and across County Meath. Customer usage of the enhanced services is exceeding our expectations. This is the first bus infrastructure project completed by our new, dedicated Travel Information Team with the NTA and Meath County Council and we are pleased that Navan is the first town to have a complete bus stop makeover. We are delighted that Meath County Council has prioritised infrastructure to make public transport by bus efficient, convenient and safe throughout the town.”
NTA CEO Anne Graham said: “The work being done by Meath County Council to facilitate better sustainable transport for people in Navan, is something that NTA is happy to support.
“It’s very encouraging to see the people in Navan respond so positively to the introduction of Bus Eireann’s N1 and N2, with numbers of passengers quadrupling in less than a year.
“I welcome the completion of the bus-stop infrastructure, which I believe will make N1 and N2 even more useful and more attractive for more customers.
“NTA looks forward to continuing to work with the Council and Bus Eireann in Navan.”