Better bus services are on the way for west Wicklow

Improved bus services are on the way for commuters living in west Wicklow.

An hourly service is planned from Blessington to Tallaght, via Ballymore Eustace.

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“The plan is to run an hourly service from Ballymore via Blessington to Tallaght and an extra bus at peak times (known as the L44). This is planned for spring of next year,” according to Fine Gael TD Edward Timmins.

The politician met recently with the National Transport Authority train and bus services and Dublin Bus adding “(there is) a need for expanded and more regular services  in Wicklow (because of)  the population increases that have taken place, and are envisaged in the coming years”. 

He also said it is expected that the 132 service which serves West Wicklow will double in frequency to eight times per day and this is set to happen before the end of May. An announcement is likely 10 days before the start of the expanded service.

 He said the local link service from Baltinglass to Carlow “will also happen but no date is available yet but I will keep people informed.” 

Deputy Timmins also said there is a lot of support for the Glendalough to Bray route and this will have five buses per day. He has requested that Donard be included in the plans “as this village has lost out so far.” 

He has also called for more bus stops, including along the local link route on the Naas road in Blessington (to avoid some people walking for 25 minutes into Blessington when the bus passes where they live) and to serve Baltinglass - by extending the end point of the 885 service to Baltinglas Hospital (rather than the primary care centre).  

Funding is to be provided to pay for a park and ride facility at Hollywood cross.

Between €56-€80m will be spent on the rail service to Wicklow. A fleet of trains is expected to be delivered in 2027, with the service starting in 2028. The rail vehicles are being manufactured by Alstom in Katowice, Poland. 

Dep Timmins said there will be an hourly to Wicklow with a stop in Kilcoole. The trains will run to Dublin and there will be an increase in the service to Greystones from twice hourly to three times hourly.