New bus service to link Wicklow to Glendalough
A new local bus service will connect Wicklow town with Glendalough.
Last week the National Transport Authority (NTA) approved funding for the new route as part of its Local Link Programme.
The route will provide a seven day, hourly bus service taking in Wicklow Gaol, Wicklow Train Station, Rathnew, Ashford, Roundwood, Laragh and Glendalough. It is hoped that the route will be up and running by November.
Social Democrats Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore, and General Election candidate for Wicklow, has welcomed the news.
‘I am delighted that this funding has been announced. I have been working with Local Link and Wicklow Tourism for some time now on developing a number of options for local shuttle services around the county. These daytime routes were devised with local community groups following stakeholder consultation.
‘In May of this year, I collected over 3,300 signatures in support the proposals and handed them into the NTA. I’m delighted to see that the high demand for this service has been recognised by the NTA and that funding has been made available for the Wicklow-Glendalough route.
‘This is a very important route, not only for tourists coming to Wicklow to explore our county, but for all the local towns and villages on the route. Small towns like Roundwood and Ashford will now have a regular bus service that can connect them with Wicklow Town. I believe this service will be a game-changer for the people and businesses of Wicklow.’
Fred Verdier, CE Wicklow Tourism said the new route will allow tourists visiting Glendalough to stay in Wicklow for longer.
‘This is a fantastic achievement and a huge step forward for Wicklow as a tourist destination. Up to now, visitors travelled from Dublin to enjoy Glendalough and then would make their way back to Dublin.
‘There was no public transport available to allow them travel around and enjoy our other tourist sites. Now, this new route will open up Wicklow to tourists and enable Wicklow Town to become the base for exploring our beautiful county. This is a great opportunity and Wicklow Tourism looks forward to working with our local businesses to ensure that we maximise on its potential.’
A spokesman for Ringalink, agent for LocalLink said: ‘We have been working closely with the NTA to secure a seven day a week service from Glendalough to Wicklow town.
‘The need for this service was identified early in consultation with local stakeholders and in literature/data reviews. The success is testament to the work already undertaken and enthusiastic engagement by local stakeholders and participation by the general public in highlighting their transport needs and wishes.
‘The route is currently out to tender to interested operators and we hope to start it by November 2018. There is a mechanism in place to increase the capacity of the route for the summer months if required.’