Navan 2030 Project Minister Ryan Opens Bus Interchange in Navan

Mayor of Navan Cllr. Eddie Fennessy was joined today by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and
the National Transport Authority (NTA) to officially open the bus interchange on Kennedy Road,
Navan Co Meath.
The project was funded by NTA through the Government’s Project 2040 and is aligned with the
Sustainable Mobility Action Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the GDA Transport Strategy.
Close co-operation between NTA and Meath County Council has led to major improvements to the
public transport network for the people of the Navan area, over the last six years.
This includes the high frequency NX express service from Navan to Dublin; better connectivity with
Dublin Airport on the 109A; enhanced regional connectivity with Drogheda, Mullingar and Athlone
on the 190; new LocalLink routes 188 and 189; and a significant upgrade of the N1/ N2 Navan town
bus service.

Lead picture; Mayor of Navan Cllr. Eddie Fennessy, Minister Eamon Ryan TD and Ronda Byrne, Bus Eireann

Above; Martin Murray, Director of Services Meath County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Tommy Reilly,
Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Mayor of Navan Cllr. Eddie Fennessy, Kieran Kehoe, Chief
Executive Meath County Council and John Burns, Local Link

The new interchange acts as key link in the public transport network, allowing passengers to make
easier connections to the wider bus network in an attractive and comfortable town centre location,
facilitating the movement of people into and out of the heart of Navan to work, shop and visit. It
also directly links the NX, Navan to Dublin express bus service to the recently constructed Moathill
N51 Park and Ride site.
The works have included design features to improve the streetscape’s overall appearance and
‘usability,’ including widening footpaths and safety improvements for pedestrians, particularly for
mobility-impaired and visually impaired road users. The works have also included enhanced public
lighting and the addition of green areas with seating for shoppers or those wishing to take a break.
Minister Eamon Ryan said: “We know that when we invest in public transport, by making it more
useful, more frequent and more reliable, people respond.

“In recent years, thanks to an ongoing programme of investment in infrastructure and services,
including the N1 and N2 introduced in 2020, patronage on the regional and local buses network in
the Navan area has grown from 1.4m to 2.4m passengers per year. That’s an increase of 71%.
“The new Kennedy Road interchange will facilitate further increases in public transport usage in
Navan over the next few years and will act as the focal point for more enhancements of the public
transport network.”
Mayor of Navan Cllr. Eddie Fennessy said: “With the population of Navan continuing to grow and
with further growth predicted, our approach to the movement of people must adapt to the delivery
of transport infrastructure, which provides a viable solution whilst also ensuring a reduction in
negative impacts on the environment.

Above; Brian Daly, Local Link, Deirdre Murtagh, Local Link, Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive Meath
County Council, Minister Eamon Ryan TD, John Burns Local, Link, John Halpenny, Halpenny
Travel and Conor O’Donovan, National Transport Authority.

“The completion of these new bus stops supports that adaption and, provides the opportunity for
sustainable travel choices, and delivers a new, frequent, accessible, and convenient public transport
service for the town.
“They will make for a better experience for those living in and visiting the town and will provide a
real alternative to car trips around Navan, which will bring tangible environmental and health
benefits.”
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: “The new interchange has been
designed to meet the current and future needs of an ever-expanding population of Navan while
strengthening economic growth in the town, supporting business, retail, and tourism.
“The completion of this new interchange supports that aim, provides an opportunity for sustainable
travel choices, and delivers a new, frequent, accessible, and convenient public transport service for
the town. The new bus interchange facility on Kennedy Road will make for a better experience for
those living in and visiting the town.”

Chief Executive Officer of NTA Anne Graham said: “The infrastructure being opened today is an
exemplar project and one that we hope will inspire communities and local authorities around the
country.
“The co-operative and collaborative approach taken to improving public transport services in Navan
is good for Meath County Council and good for NTA – and more importantly – good for the people of
this town.
“NTA wants to continue to invest in towns like Navan, because we have seen here that when you
provide a decent public transport service, people will use it.”
Stephen Kent, CEO, Bus Éireann said: “As part of the Navan Town Scheme, Navan 2030, Bus Éireann
has worked in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA ) and Meath County Council
to streamline the stopping locations in Navan town.
“The new changes aim to enhance connectivity between regional, local and the town bus network
(N1 and N2 services). This is very welcome news for our Navan customers who rely on our services
daily and since the interchange, Bus Éireann has carried over 93,000 passengers using our NX, Route
109 and 109 services.”
Manager LocalLink Louth Meath Fingal, Deirdre Murtagh said: “We are delighted with the new bus
interchange at Kennedy Road. Our Local Link services, Route 188 and Route 189 will now be brought
into the centre of Navan which means our passengers will have access to shopping, employment,