Plans to expand West Wicklow bus route to include Baltinglass and Dunlavin

Deirdre McCormack, the Social Democrats Local Area Rep for West Wicklow, has welcomed the announcement that the National Transport Authority are planning to expand the existing 885 Local Link route to include Baltinglass and Dunlavin.

However, she also warned of the need for an immediate increase in the capacity and frequency of this service.

The 885 Local Link bus route currently operates between Ballymore Eustace and Sallins Train Station via Blessington and Naas, four times a day, Monday to Friday. The proposed expansion of this route will see it serve Baltinglass and Dunlavin and there are plans to further expand it in early 2024 to also include Carlow.

“The introduction of more public transport options for our communities here in West Wicklow is very welcome. However, we need to ensure that this expanded bus route will also include an increase in capacity and frequency on this service. At present there is a capacity issue on the 885 bus service in the mornings and afternoons and we have had situations where some passengers have not been able to get the bus and have been left behind,” explained Ms McCormack.

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore also welcomed the announced expansion and called for more information and a timeline for the roll out of the service.

“The expansion of the 885 bus route is good news for West Wicklow but the communities here need a confirmed start date for this service. This route expansion was originally announced by Minister Ryan in February 2023 and was supposed to be rolled out by June of this year. We are now at the end of October and are being told it will happen soon,” commented Deputy Whitmore.

 “I am meeting with the National Transport Authority this week about a number of Wicklow Transport issues and I will be asking them for a detailed timeline for the expansion of the 885 route as well as raising the need for increased capacity and frequency on the service,” added Ms Whitmore.

“A public transport connection between Baltinglass, Dunlavin, Ballymore Eustace, Blessington, Naas and Sallins will open up West Wicklow for our communities. This route has the potential to make public transport a viable option for school children and students and for members of our community working in and wanting to shop and socialise in our neighbouring towns and villages. But to do this we need to ensure that this is a frequent service operating seven days a week and not just four times a day, Monday to Friday like the current service,” concluded Deirdre McCormack.