Deputy Joan Burton has been advised by Dublin Bus that the Department of Transport has today agreed, after sustained political and grassroots pressure, to allow the 41X to run through the Dublin Port Tunnel, cutting upwards of half an hour from the journey time to the city centre. Swords Manor and Swords Manor/Glen Ellen departures will operate via Seatown Road. River Valley departures will pick up passengers from Forest Road. 41X services will not serve Main Street Swords.

Reacting to the news, Deputy Burton said “I’m glad to see that the Minister for Transport has finally come to his senses and allowed the 41X service to run through the Port Tunnel. This could have been done months ago with the stroke of a pen, but it took sustained pressure from local residents to make the Minister see the light. This is an issue which I have raised on numerous occasions in the Dáil over the last six months, as recently as last week, and I’m delighted to see that River Valley based commuters have finally got some satisfaction.”

“My understanding is that Dublin Bus had sought to run extra peak time services on the 41X route to fulfil existing and future demand. Unfortunately, this improved frequency has not been approved. It is clear to me that many people would leave their car at home if they felt that there was a viable public transport alternative. I welcome the opening up of the Port Tunnel as an important step which could take upwards of half an hour off the commute time to the city centre., but I will continue campaigning for a quality transport system, including a more frequent 41X service, for the people of Swords-River Valley. “