Major increase in passenger numbers using Navan town bus service
The numbers using the Navan town bus service since the new routes and timetable were introduced has almost trebled.
The numbers using the bus have shot up from almost 5,000 in the first four week period of the new operation to 13,249 using it in the seventh four week period.
The new schedule sees buses start at 6.30am each day.
At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, engineer Cormac Ross detailed the work ongoing around Navan on bus stops for the new service.
“There are 51 new bus stops,” he said.
He explained that over the next two weeks, there will be resurfacing works, road marking, the erection of poles and carousels with timetables.
“All the work will be completed by the end of the month or early October.
“A few more bus stops will be added to augment the service as it develops and grows.”
Cllr Alan Lawes questioned why the bus stop on Paddy O'Brien Street had been relocated to Abbey Road.
He said his 87-year-old mother, other elderly people and and people with children found the bus stop outside the shopping centre convenient.
“An elderly person could go just outside the shopping centre, with their shopping and sit and wait for the bus.
“Now they have to go further away and sometimes, when there are other larger buses pulled in, the town bus has to stop outside of them, and people like my mother have to walk out to the road to get on,” he said.
Mr Ross said he would raise the issue of the buses stopping out on the carriageway, as it shouldn't happen.
He pointed out that when the contract for Kennedy Road is complete, the bus stops will be relocated there.
Cllr Francis Deane asked if the bus stop at Old Johnstown was part of the plan and was told there would two bus stops in Old Johnstown, dependent on the opening of the link road.
Cllr Eddie Fennessy said it was a great service and he used it regularly.
He pointed out that the 109A bus stop was being relocated to the Kells Road to help alleviate problems on Abbey Road.