Donabate Shuttle:

Summerhill's AV115 loading at Malahide Station heading for Donabate on the 26th August 2009.

On the 21st July 2009 a portion of the Broadmeadow Estuary Viaduct on the Northern Rail Line to Drogheda, Dunalk and Belfast collapsed. It has since been attributed to coastal erosion underneath a pier, which without a proper standing collapsed. Luckily the quick observation of a Dublin-bound commuter train prevented any serious incidents occuring.

Iarnrod Eireann have indicated that at least three months will be required to complete the repair work. Until then it is up to Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and private coach operators to transport the large amount of passengers who used the nothern commuter line.

Summerhill's AV271 seen in Malahide on the Donabate Shuttle on the 26th August 2009.

Donabate is a village 20km north of Dublin's City Centre and is one of the lesser Dublin Commuter stops. As a replacement service, passengers have been provided with a shuttle bus service from Malahide Train Station to Donabate Train Station.This is the first bus service to operate to Donabate Station since the demise of the 33C (Donabate Railway Station - Portrane), which last operated on Saturday 24th March 2002.

Summerhill's AV268 at Malahide Train Station on the 26th August 2009 displaying a destination from Dart replacement services in 2009.

The shuttle began running on Monday 23rd August 2009 with the following timetable:

Shuttle Service from Donabate Station to Malahide Station:
07:00, 07:20, 07:40, 08:00, 
08:05, 08:20, 08:40, 09:05. 

Shuttle Service from Malahide Station to Donabate Station: 
16:00, 16:20, 16:40, 17:00, 
17:05, 17:20, 17:40, 18:05.

However from observations on the 26th August 2009 a stance inspector clearly regulated departures dependent on train arrivals. As the train arrived at the station, the bus was called from its stance location, most buses using the 32A terminus at the tennis courts, however AV115 prior to its second depature used the 42 Coast Road terminus to turn about as AV268 was still awaiting its departure there. As soon as a bus was called the inspector observed its loading whilst an Irish Rail employee exited behind the last of the arriving passengers to inidicate that all connecting passengers were now aboard. A clear indication of how train/bus interchanges is possible.

The following departures took place from Malahide between 16:20 and 1810:

1623 - AV115
1650 - AV271
1728 - AV268
1748 - AV115
1754 - AV271
1808 - AV236

AV236 was supposed to operate the 1748 service however it showed at the stop too early and looped around the Yellow Walls Estate to operate the 1808.

The service was very busy and many buses departed near full. However the route is a bit circular and is very dependent on the traffic in Malahide. This will only get worse with the beginning of the school term. Therefore as and from Monday 31st August, Dublin Bus will be running a 33D service directly via the Port Tunnel to Donabate Station.

Clontarf's AV236 seen at Donabate Station on the 26th August 2009. All buses carry the Shuttle Bus notice in the front windscreen indicating the stations served.

The routing is as follows:
Malahide Train Station (to turn around buses mainly use New Street, The Green, stance at 32A terminus James' Terrace, The Mall, Main Street), Dublin Road, Swords Road, Malahide Road, R132(Swords By-Pass/old N1), Hearse Road (R126), then in Donabate follow the R126, which requires a left turn just as you enter the village passing St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Church, then right, turning left into Turvey Walk, then right into Station Car Park on West side of Donabate Station (see Bing Maps for Donabate Station layout.)

A youtube video showing the route from Lissenhall M1 interchange to Donabate Station is provided (very large file for youtube, might need decent connection).

To download the full route from Malahide, download the follwing file from rapidshare
http://rapidshare.com/files/271885936/Donabate_Shuttle.avi (131MB)