Changes to local Navan bus service likely

Meath commuters could be facing travel chaos in the coming weeks if the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) goes ahead with their threatened industrial action after talks over Bus Eireann"s cost recovery plan concluded without agreement. The NRBU, one of the unions representing bus drivers, has issued notice of industrial action to Bus Eireann. Talks over the cost saving plans that involves changes to terms and conditions and changes to a number of services, began on 6th May and concluded on Friday without agreement being reached. As part of the company"s cost saving measures, it is expected that changes will be made to Navan Town"s Bus Service routes that are likely to result in a reduction in frequency of services where there is low customer usage. While it had been reported last week that the service would be withdrawn altogether as part of the current plan, it is understood that this is not the case, although changes are expected to the local service. Bus Eireann currently has three routes operating in Navan town, with all services originating from the shopping centre. Route A serves the Blackcastle and Clonmagadden area, Route B serves the Athboy Road, Clogherboy, Gainstown, the Trim Road and Brews Hill, while Route C serves the Kentstown Road, Johnstown Wood and Kilcarn areas. The company is planning changes to 50 services around the country that have low customer usage with these changes coming into effect from 5th July. The Navan Town Service is expected to be one of the routes affected. Bus Eireann spokesperson Andrew McLindon said that the changes will be on a phased basis and that customers on routes where changes are to take place will be informed in advance. Speaking about the planned changes to routes nationwide, he said: 'The majority of these changes will involve either reductions in the frequency of a service or a change in its route. 'Some services that are not economically viable in the current economic environment will be withdrawn and, in such instances, we will try to ensure that an alternative service is available to the small number of customers affected in their general area.'