Ratoath Bus Eireann Improvements
Ratoath TD and Minister of State Mary Wallace has had ongoing meetings with Bus Eireann to improve the bus service for Ratoath. Bus Eireann has informed Minister Wallace of the following additional and enhanced bus services for Ratoath under Transport 21.
Route 105 - Ratoath - Dublin via Fairyhouse Road
Bus Eireann plan to introduce at the end of December an hourly service on the hour every hour from 7:00am to Midnight on Route 105 from Ratoath via Fairyhouse Road to Dublin. Passengers are advised that the first departure from Ratoath will be at 0700hrs. The last departure from Ratoath will be at 00:00 hrs.
Route 103 - Ratoath - Dublin via Ashbourne
From mid 2008, with the arrival of new additional buses under Transport 21, the Route 103 service from Ratoath to Dublin via Ashbourne is proposed to be provided every 15 minutes throughout the day from 06:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs. The service is to continue every 30 minutes from 19:00 hrs to 21:00hrs and then at 22:00hrs, 23:00hrs: 00:00hrs and 00:30hrs. The last 103 departure from Dublin to Ratoath is to be at 23:30hrs.
Proposed Express Service via N2 Motorway
Also it is proposed to provide under Transport 21 a new Express type service Route 105X to/from Ratoath via Ninemile Stone onto the N2 Motorway and into Dublin City. The first departure from Ratoath at 0700 hrs. This service will initially be provided at peak times only to start with. It is hoped that this service improvement will be up and running by approximately mid 2008.
New Service - Route 109A - Navan/Dublin Airport/DCU (application to include Ratoath Stop)
A new Route 109A from Navan through Ratoath to Dublin Airport and DCU has been planned for January 2008. Passengers are advised that the first departure from Navan will be at 0500 hrs and the last departure from Navan at 21:00hrs. Last departure from DCU is planned for 22:20hrs Bus Eireann is expecting delivery of three new vehicles for the servicing of the new 109A route and the recruitment of drivers for this route will lead to the creation of 8 new jobs. The license application for the Ratoath stop on this service was recently sent to the Department of Transport. Mary Wallace asked the Department of Transport to deal with this application as soon as possible as she would like to see the Ratoath stop included at the commencement of this service. The Department of Transport have just confirmed the granting of the license.
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Night Rider Service and 104 bus
Additional departure time on 104
In the run up to Christmas passengers will be delighted that an additional departure time on the 104 service from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to Ashbourne via Ratoath has been introduced. This bus will leave PC World at 18:45 each evening. Passengers are also reminded that this 104 service provides them with an opportunity of shopping locally in Ashbourne.
Night Rider Service in December
Passengers will continue to enjoy the 'Night Rider' service through the festive season every night except Sunday departing from Dublin at 00:30hrs and 03:30hrs. The improved Nightrider service will run from 7th December to 22nd December. This service currently runs every Friday and Saturday night throughout the year.
"Additional Bus services and improvements to the Ratoath timetable is especially welcomed considering our continued population growth. We are delighted that Bus Eireann have introduced these plans and we will be monitoring developments over the next few months and through 2008 on this important issue for Ratoath commuters" said Cllr Nick Killian.
"We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Bus Eireann for their very positive response to our requests for improvements to the Ratoath Bus Service. We would encourage commuters to keep sending on your suggestions and comments on our improved bus service" said Mary Wallace TD.