Navan – Dublin (NX) Bus Service Revisions Consultation Report
As part of our ongoing service monitoring and review process, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has carried out a review of the NX bus service.
NX was launched
The NX was launched in September 2017 with the intention of improving the strategic connection between Dublin City and Navan via Blanchardstown by providing a limited stop commuter service. The service operated by Bus Éireann has grown steadily in patronage since implementation and currently carries on average over 20,000 passengers a week.
High demand for the service
Persistent issues have emerged with the route amidst high demand for the service.
The issues are:
- Insufficient capacity at peak times despite high frequencies. Capacity issues are most prevalent on trips to Dublin between 05:40 and 08:30 (particularly at Johnstown in Navan) and trips departing from Dublin between 16:30 and 18:30.
- Congestion related delays notably on the M3 between Pace and Clonee where the route operates in mixed traffic without priority measures. Subsequent issues in journey reliability have created issues with capacity for the earliest service out of Navan at 05:40.
- Major variability in journey times between O’Connell Street and Wilton Terrace resulting in frequent delays accumulating along this corridor, particularly during the evening peak. This can significantly disrupt outbound evening services, reducing reliability and exacerbating peak-period crowding in the Dublin to Navan direction.
Revision to the route
Following the emergence of these issues we are now planning a revision to the route to increase capacity and improve punctuality and reliability and provide a better service for all users.
