N2/M2 Corridor Network Improvements (Revised Introduction Date)

N2/M2 Corridor Network Improvements (These changes will now be introduced on 10th April 2016)

Please click here for upcoming changes on the N2/M2 corridor

Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority has carried out a review of their services on the N2/M2 corridor over recent months. The review has taken account of changing travel patterns, customer feedback, the changing demographic profile of both Ashbourne and Ratoath, the changing dynamic of Dublin City and the impact of the introduction of Luas Cross City.

The aim of the review was to make significant improvements to the network of services that would attract more passengers to public transport at all times of the day and throughout the week. The particular focus was on the key towns of Ratoath and Ashbourne for the delivery of  an enhanced public transport network that will provide the following:

  • Enhanced frequency throughout the week and on Saturday & Sundays
    • 32 additional daily weekday trips from Ratoath to Dublin
    • 10 additional daily weekday trips from Ratoath to Blanchardstown
    • 05 additional daily weekday trips from Ashbourne to Dublin
    • 19 additional daily weekday trips from Ashbourne to Blanchardstown
    • Enhanced connections to locations other than Dublin City Centre including:
      • Blanchardstown Shopping Centre (Revised Route 105)
      • James Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown (Revised Route 105)
      • Drogheda, Duleek & Kentstown (Revised Route 105)
      • Dunboyne (Revised Route 105)
      • Tayto Park (Revised Route 103 & 105)
      • Improved linkages between the twin towns of Ratoath & Ashbourne – 6 buses per hour
      • Improved links to St Stephens Green and the south city centre
      • Improved links to 3rd Level Colleges including the new D.I.T Campus at Grangegorman
      • Better connectivity with other public transport services to enable onward trips within Dublin City – Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Luas.
      • Direct limited stop weekday services (103X & 105X)  to/from the South City Centre & UCD in the am and pm peak periods

The revised network of services has been approved by the National Transport Authority and will be introduced on 3 April 2016. The following is a summary of the revised network of services:

Route 103: Ratoath – Ashbourne - Dublin

  • All services will now start in Ratoath and provide a bus every 20mins from Ratoath to Dublin City via Ashbourne, the N2 or M2 and Finglas.
    • Weekdays – Every 20 mins from 06:02hrs to 21:02hrs & then every 30 mins until 00:32hrs.
    • Saturdays – Every 30 mins from 07:02hrs to 13:02hrs, then every 20 mins until 19:02hrs & then every 30 mins until 00:32hrs.
    • Sundays – Every 60 mins from 08:02hrs to 13:02hrs, then every 30 mins until 19:22hrs & then every 60 mins until 00:32hrs.
    • All services will now operate via a revised routing serving a greater part of Ratoath in particular the “Steeplechase” development and the housing areas adjacent to the “Tesco Express” supermarket. It is intended that the route would extend further down the Fairyhouse Rd towards the M3 to better serve the housing in that area, subject to the delivery of  infrastructure to turn the bus. The new Route 105 (see below) will double the number of services on the Fairyhouse Rd and customers will be able to change onto Route 103 services at a number of stops in Ratoath.
    • All services will  be operated by Double Deck vehicles thereby providing increased capacity
    • A revised route will operate inbound to the city centre via Phibsboro, Broadstone, Western Way, Blessington Street & O’Connell St with the last stop being Townsend St adjacent to Trinity College.
    • All Outbound journeys will continue to depart from Beresford Place and operate the current route via Gardiner St, Dorset St and Whitworth Rd.
    • A Route 103X limited stop service will operate in the morning and evening peak periods providing a direct service from Duleek/Kentstown, Kilmoon Cross  & Ashbourne to the City Centre and onwards to UCD via the M2 Motorway
    • Local connectivity from Duleek & Kilmoon will be provided by an enhanced Route 105 service which will provide frequent connections with Route 103 to Dublin at Ashbourne

Route 105: Drogheda – Duleek – Kentstown – Ashbourne – Ratoath – Blanchardstown – Connolly Hospital  

Route 105 will no longer operate to the city centre in its current format and will be replaced by an enhanced service that will operate between Drogheda and Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown and provide the following:

  • An hourly service linking Drogheda to Connolly Hospital via Duleek, Kentstown, Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunboyne.
    • Monday to Saturday – Every 60 mins from 06:30hrs to 18:30hrs with the final service at 20:30hrs
    • Sunday – Every 60 mins from 08:30hrs to 18:30hrs with the final service at 20:30hrs
    • A 30min service linking Ashbourne to Connolly Hospital via Ratoath and Dunboyne
      • Monday to Saturday – Every 30 mins from 06:52hrs to 19:52hrs with the final service at 21:22hrs
      • Sunday – Every 60 mins from 09:22hrs to 19:22hrs with the final service at 21:22hrs
      • A Route 105X limited stop service will now operate in the morning and evening peak periods providing a direct service from Ashbourne & Ratoath to the City Centre and onwards to UCD via Fairyhouse Rd and the M3 Motorway.
      • The new Route 105 will double the number of services on the Fairyhouse Rd and customers will be able to change onto Route 103 services at a number of stops in Ratoath.
      • The enhanced Route 103 outlined above will now provide the main service between Ratoath and Dublin rather than Route 105

The revised Route 105 will provide a greater range of local links connecting customers to employment, retail, education and health facilities, in the Blanchardstown area as well as North Meath and Drogheda and will facilitate interchange onto Route 103 in Ashbourne.

Please see new N2/M2 Corridor timetables here: 103105103X & 105X

Customer Information

Prior to the implementation of these service changes a full range of customer communications will be provided to explain the major benefits of the changes and to assist our customers with any concerns they may have.

Details of the changes will be communicated to customers in the following manner:

  • Customer Communication & Timetable Booklet provided  to all houses in Ashbourne/Ratoath
  • Customer Communication Notice & Timetables available at www.buseireann.ie
  • Customer Notices displayed on all Vehicles
  • Local Radio & Newspapers
  • Social Media – Twitter & Facebook
  • Local Media etc

We would like to thank our customers for their continued support of public transport in Ratoath and Ashbourne and we look forward to welcoming you on board our improved services in the near future.

If you have any feedback or suggestions in relation to the above please forward to customercare@buseireann.ie

Friday, 1st April, 2016