‘Where is my 199?’ - Wicklow residents demand answers as funding for long-delayed bus route vanishes
The Wicklow PeopleThe issue reached a new level of public pressure when Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore hosted a packed public meeting in Roundwood, where residents detailed the growing impact of the missing service and questioned why a route described as funded, tendered and ready to operate has still not begun.
The meeting was also attended by local representatives, including councillors Melanie Corrigan, Shane Langrell and Danny Alvey, as well as Wicklow TD Edward Timmins, underscoring the political concern surrounding the stalled route.
The 199 route was first announced by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in April 2025 as a seven-day service linking Glendalough, Laragh, Annamoe and Roundwood with Bray. In May 2025, Deputy Whitmore was informed by the NTA that they were finalising the proposed timetable and that this route not only had funding, but was a priority.
By early September 2025, she had been told that a provider had been awarded the contract and was ready to begin operating the same month, but that launch date came and went without explanation, and the community was not updated on why the service had not started.
Nolan Coaches, the operator awarded the contract, has repeatedly stated that it has been ready to run the route since September 2025. The company purchased a bus, hired drivers and prepared schedules, but says it has never received the final instruction from the NTA or Local Link to begin.
At the meeting a written statement from the company confirmed that “vehicles, drivers and operational plans are in place” and that they remain “fully prepared to operate the 199” once approval is given.
Deputy Whitmore had visited Nolan Coaches in May, where CEO Garrett O’Toole showed her the unused 199 bus and reiterated that the company has been ready for more than eight months.
“Staff hired, bus purchased, operator ready since September 2025, no instruction from government or NTA to begin,” Deputy Whitmore said afterwards, describing the situation as “deeply concerning”.
Mischa had to cut her studies at DCU short after only four months
At the public meeting in Roundwood Parish Hall, Deputy Whitmore opened by thanking residents for turning out in such numbers and for sharing their experiences.
“It was invaluable to hear directly from people about how the lack of this service is affecting their daily lives and limiting opportunities for work, education and social connection,” she said.
Residents of all ages spoke about the challenges they face without a reliable public transport link, particularly those who do not drive due to age, disability, medical conditions or because they do not hold a licence. Many described relying on neighbours, family members or expensive taxis for basic journeys.
“One of the strongest messages that emerged from the meeting was the sense of isolation being experienced by many people in these communities,” Whitmore said. “Residents spoke about how a lack of public transport leaves them dependent on others for basic journeys and restricts their ability to participate fully in community life.”
Several attendees said that without the 199 they may eventually have no option but to leave the community they have lived in for years, because they cannot access work, education or essential services independently.
Whitmore said this was “a shocking position for anyone to be placed in” and raised “a fundamental question about fairness and equality”.
The absence of the 199 has already had significant consequences for some residents. One of them, Mischa Cleary, was in the room to hear the discussion.
Deputy Whitmore has highlighted Mischa’s case repeatedly in the Dáil, describing how the Roundwood student had to drop out of her politics and communications course at DCU after only four months because she could not travel to campus.
“This is just awful and completely unacceptable,” Whitmore said in the Dáil. “Mischa just started to study in DCU last September and has had to cut her studies short after only four months.”
Whitmore said Mischa’s experience was “the direct result” of the prolonged delay, and her presence at the meeting brought home the human impact of the stalled service.
Wicklow TD Jennifer with Social Democrats Cllr Danny Alvey and Mischa Cleary.
After the meeting, members of the public received representation from the office of Tánaiste Simon Harris stating that the start time of the 199 would be announced last week.
At the same time, Deputy Whitmore received correspondence from the NTA stating that no funding is available to operate the service and that “unfortunately, a precise date for commencement cannot be provided at this time”.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday last week, Deputy Whitmore addressed the inconsistencies.
“I was told by the NTA in May last year that the 199 was funded,” she said. “It went out to tender last summer. The company that won the tender bought a bus and hired four drivers.
“My major concern is the lack of transparency and information about why this route has not started. The Tánaiste, whom I was hoping would be here today to answer, has been telling constituents that the firm date for that service should be available this week and that the service is financed. In the past number of days, however, I have received an email from the NTA that states no funding is available.
“They are two very different statements. People – myself included - are frustrated at mixed messaging coming from the Government and the NTA.
Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore addresses a public meeting in Roundwood Parish Hall about the 199 bus route.
“The communities in Wicklow who rely on the route deserve answers. They deserve clarity and a single message from the Government as to when the service is going to start because they are making life decisions based on that service, such as whether to go to college or where to get a job. They deserve transparency and the truth.”
At the meeting in Roundwood residents had expressed frustration at what they see as a lack of transparency from the NTA and the Department of Transport. Many said they too had been told repeatedly that the service was funded, tendered and ready to go.
“Communities across Glendalough, Laragh, Annamoe and Roundwood feel they have been left waiting without any clear explanation as to why,” Whitmore said. “We were all led to believe funding was in place during the initial announcement last year. Where has the funding gone? It looks like it was either pulled or was spent on something else. It also has to be asked, why are there such mixed messages from the government over the service?”
She had previously told attendees at the meeting that she has been sending weekly emails to the NTA and Transport Minister and that she will continue to do so until the service is delivered.
She further encouraged residents to continue putting pressure on decision‑makers by contacting the NTA and Minister Darragh O’Brien, sending campaign postcards and encouraging others to join the growing ‘Where is my 199?’ campaign.
She said the turnout at the meeting demonstrated the strength of feeling locally and the determination of people to secure the public transport service they were promised.
“These communities deserve better and they deserve answers,” she said. “I will continue to raise this issue with the Minister and the NTA until this service is delivered.”
As the campaign gathers momentum, residents say they will continue to push for answers until the 199 is finally delivered. For many, the issue is no longer just about a bus route but about the right to remain connected, independent and part of their own communities.