Enhanced services for Louth passengers with launch of East Coast Commuter Corridor

The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann have today announced improved bus services for passengers in County Louth through enhancements in Routes 101 and 101x.  

Route 101 from Drogheda to Busáras via Dublin Airport will become a full 24-hour service, with 293 departures each way per week operated on a fleet of new, fully accessible double and single deck coaches. On Route 101, passenger numbers are currently running 37 percent ahead of 2019 and it is projected that this route will carry a record one million passengers this year.

Bus Éireann was announced as the operator of the routes following a competitive tender process. These two enhanced routes will operate on new, fully accessible vehicles provided by the NTA. The newly enhanced services will launch for customers from Sunday, 7 May. Full details and timetables are available at buseireann.ie. 

Route 101x from Drogheda to Wilton Terrace in Dublin via Balbriggan will see the frequency of services maintained, with services operated on a greater number of accessible single deck buses and double deck coaches in response to increased passenger demand. 

Following fare reductions on public transport services last year, public transport has become more affordable than ever. A single, adult Leap Card fare from Drogheda to Dublin is just €5.04. Fares for people aged 19-24 years who have a Young Adult Leap Card will be just €2.52. 

Bus public transport in Ireland is going from strength-to-strength, with Bus Éireann delivering 89.5 million passenger journeys in 2022, a return to pre-Covid levels and with unprecedented growth in demand in recent months.

"We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to operate the newly enhanced East Coast Commuter Corridor bus services, having delivered these essential routes to communities for many decades,’’ said Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Éireann.

"As Ireland’s national bus company, Bus Éireann has a proud record of providing public transport services to communities both urban and rural. We are excited to partner with the NTA on these new and enhanced services and are committed to providing frequent, reliable and accessible bus services for our passengers in County Louth – and across the country.

"This was achieved through a commitment to delivering transformative sustainable public transport services, through investments by the NTA in new services, new vehicles and through the reduction in public transport fares.

"This new investment will mean a greater number of commuters, tourists, students, airport passengers and Free Travel Pass customers having the option to travel more sustainably by bus. Our mission to achieve a best-in-class customer experience is working, with our customer satisfaction rating above 90% for the last 12 months."

"With passenger numbers on bus transport growing apace, we are delighted to deliver this new investment in public transport for Louth,’’ said Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA. "We know that where new and enhanced services are made available, people respond positively and choose to travel by bus.

"The new, enhanced East Coast Commuter Corridor marks a step-change in bus transport in County Louth – with greater frequency, improved capacity and an entire fleet of new, fully accessible vehicles to service increased passenger demand. 

"We are happy to announce that Bus Éireann will operate these services, following a competitive tendering process completed last year. Through this significant investment, the NTA reaffirms our commitment to delivering greater connectivity for our communities and to responding to increased demand for public transport – with increased delivery.’’