Bus Éireann is pleased to announce an enhanced Route 8 Expressway Cork-Dublin service operating via the M8 motorway resulting in quicker journey times to and from Cork and Dublin city. The enhanced Route 8 service will now be known as the Route X8 and will also serve Dublin Airport.
The Route X8 Cork-Dublin-Dublin Airport service will provide a much faster coach service from Cork to Dublin city with a journey time of just 3 hours and 30 minutes. This reduces the previous journey time by up to 55 minutes for customers travelling from Cork city to Dublin city. For customers travelling from Cork city to Dublin Airport, the journey time will be 3 hours and 50 minutes. The Route X8 will come into effect from Sunday, July 1st, 2012.
Route X8 will operate to/from Cork to Dublin/Dublin Airport via Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Cahir, Cashel, Urlingford and Portlaoise. After Portlaoise the service will travel non-stop to Dublin, with stops at Newlands Cross, Heuston Station, Eden Quay, Dublin (Busáras) and Dublin Airport.
The service will depart from Cork Bus Station to Dublin (Monday to Sunday) at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. The service will depart from Dublin Airport to Cork (Monday to Sunday) at 07:30, 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 17:30 and from Busáras at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 everyday.
The improved service will provide customers with increased connections between Cork, Dublin city and Dublin Airport. All services to and from Cork will now operate via the M8. Customers travelling from Cork to Dublin should be aware that it costs as little as €14.00 for an adult single trip and €23.00 for an adult return.
New 63-seater coaches will be operating on Route X8 with improved customer facilities including free Wi-Fi, power sockets at selected seats, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats, and extra comfort seating.
Commuting customers are advised that they can make savings of up to 52% on their annual/yearly and monthly Bus Éireann ticket with the Taxsaver Commuter Ticket. Customers should also be aware that they can avail of a Weekly (10 Journey) Ticket, which is valid for 10 journeys as specified from the date of purchase.
“Bus Éireann is always looking at ways to improve our services. The revised Route X8 Expressway service will not only deliver a better travelling experience for our regular customers, but for the people of Cork as it provides them with convenient, quick and affordable access to Dublin city and Dublin Airport,” said Joe Fitzgerald, Regional Manager, South, Bus Éireann.
The changes to the Expressway Route X8 have been approved by the National Transport Authority (NTA).