Newcastle City Centre Bus Route to be retained and improved connections on Rathcoole route added

One of the issues I raised following my “Bus Correct” Bus User survey was the need to retain a direct city centre bus route for Newcastle and a regular service for Rathcoole. This was conveyed to the NTA in November and directly during a meeting with the acting CEO in March as well as at a subsequent briefing meeting in April.

It is good to see that a half-hourly route 57 between Greenogue and the City Centre will now replace the previous plan for an hourly route L56 between Greenogue and the Red Cow Luas stop. Rathcoole will also have a half hourly route rather than the previous hourly one/

These services are happening under Phase 8 of the Bus Connects network redesign and will replace current routes 68, 68a, 69 and 69x.

Key points are outlined below;

- New half-hourly route 57 between Greenogue and the City Centre replaces the previous plan for an hourly route L56 between Greenogue and the Red Cow Luas stop.

- New route 58 between Rathcoole and the City Centre will also now run every half-hour, instead of hourly.

-The two routes will combine to give a bus every fifteen minutes between Clondalkin and the City Centre via Bluebell, Tyrconnell Road and Inchicore, compared with the one-per-hour that was in the original plan.

The NTA plans to introduce these new services in the first half of 2026, as part of the wider Phase 8 changes with new routes D1, D2, D3, D4, 71, 72, X47 and X55 replacing current routes 13, 27, 51d, 51x, 56a, 77a, 77x, 122, 150 and 151 in this area, as previously announced. The date of the change is subject to operational readiness and funding.

A comprehensive information booklet will be delivered to local residents and businesses in the area before the changes start.

Thanks to everyone who participated in my survey.