A draft route for the expansion of Dart services to Navan has been published, but it comes amid growing concerns about the Governments commitment to fully fund the long list of large-scale public transport projects in the pipeline, with rail and bus projects delayed due to insufficient funding and capacity issues.Thats the backdrop to Irish Rail this morning publishing a draft plan for consultation, including a 34-kilometre electrified extension of the branch line, which currently stops at M3 Parkway, just a few kilometres north west of Dublin 15.Four new stations are proposed in Co Meath at the west side of Dunshaughlin, at Kilmessan village, a new Navan Central station with access on the Trim Road and a new Navan North. Besides Navan Central, the other stations will have park-and-ride.But after over 20 years of promises of the Navan line re-opening, which was supposed to be operational a decade ago in 2016, the announcement comes as further delays to public projects, with funding increasingly being cited as the issue. The projects affected include Dart+ Southwest, which has been delayed, and IrishCycle.com understands that it also includes the rollout of bus infrastructure improvements. Mark Gleeson, a spokesperson for passenger group Rail Users Ireland, said: Rail Users Ireland has long had concerns as to the lack of funding for public transport projects despite the political commitments given. No project is running to time, and there have been unexplained delays in progressing Dart+ Southwest.The reintroduction of the proposal to reopen the direct line to Navan raises the question: Is this funded? he said.IMAGE: Draft route map.Gleeson added: Even simple matters like the 0650 Athenry to Galway service have been withdrawn due to a lack of funding, and, of course, on-train catering continues to be suspended due to an unwillingness to fund the service.The 0650 Athenry to Galway service was a trial service, which is reportedly not being funded beyond August, while there have been similar complaints about the planned rollout of rural and urban bus routes. The pre-statutory public consultation for the Navan line launched today is the first of two and is part of the process to lodge a Railway Order, a type of planning permission. Irish Rail said that the line would provide a direct link, with a journey time of around 60 minutes, from Dublin City Centre to Navan, calling the town the largest town in Ireland not currently on the passenger rail network. Although this is, in fact, Swoards. The State-owned company said that the Navan line would have a capacity to carry up to 4,400 commuters each way per hour. It said that the Emerging Preferred Route follows a similar route to the original railway, which closed in 1963, making use of the disused railway corridor where possible with a key revision being to bring the line closer to Dunshaughlin to better serve the town. Mary Considine, chief executive of Irish Rail / Iarnrd ireann, said Our record investment in our rail network, supported by the Department for Transport and National Transport Authority, is all about enabling more people to use high-capacity, high-quality public transport.She added: By connecting Navan the largest town in Ireland not currently on the passenger rail network to Dublin, as well as communities en route in Kilmessan and Dunshaughlin and beyond through park and ride, we will transform the public transport options for thousands of commuters daily. We look forward to hearing the views of communities and stakeholders through the public consultation, which will help us to deliver the best possible infrastructure and service.Anne Shaw, chief executive of the National Transport Authority, said: This is a transformative project for County Meath and the wider Greater Dublin Area, reconnecting Navan and surrounding communities to the national rail network and providing a high-capacity, sustainable alternative to car travel. She added: As these communities continue to grow, the Navan Railway will play a critical role in supporting housing, employment and economic development in a more balanced and climate-friendly way.The public consultation is to remain open until 5pm on Friday, July 3rd, 2026. Details of the draft route, including an interactive map, can be found via irishrail.ie/navan-line. The planned drop-in public events are as follows:Navan Solstice Arts Centre (C15 KWP1) Wednesday 27 May, 2pm 8pmDunshaughlin Pastoral Centre (A85 W886) Thursday 4 June, 2pm 8pmNavan Education Centre (C15 RK03) Tuesday 9 June, 3pm 8pmStation House Hotel, Kilmessan (C15 N40D) Tuesday 16 June, 2pm 8pmOnline Public Webinar, Thursday 18 June, 7:30pm 8:30pm. Please visit www.irishrail.ie/navan-line or email navan@irishrail.ie to register