Wicklow commuters left waiting as 132 bus route expansion stalls again
The Wicklow PeopleThe long‑promised service upgrade on Bus Éireann’s 132 regional commuter route has been pushed further into uncertainty, after a junior minister for transport confirmed that no timeline is currently in place for the expansion originally scheduled for April 2025.
The update came in response to a parliamentary question from Wicklow TD Edward Timmins, who sought clarity on both the reliability of the existing service and the status of the planned frequency increase.
In his written reply, junior minister Jerry Buttimer said the public transport network was facing “significant workforce shortages” across drivers, mechanics and craftworkers, and that these constraints were already affecting service performance nationwide.
He said operators were working with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to address the issue, but acknowledged that the shortage was limiting the sector’s ability to deliver new or expanded services.
The 132 route, which links Blessington and Baltinglass with Dublin, had been earmarked for a timetable enhancement in April 2025.
The NTA previously stated that planning for the upgrade was “at an advanced stage” and that funding discussions were ongoing. However, the Mr Buttimer’s latest response indicates that the expansion has not progressed and is not included among the improvements being prioritised for 2026.
Mr Buttimer said the government’s focus for the year ahead was on “stabilising the PSO position” and ensuring that existing services could operate reliably and sustainably.
He said the NTA’s €940 million public service obligation allocation for 2026 was being directed towards maintaining the current network and advancing only those improvements already in train, such as Phase 7 of the BusConnects network redesign and the introduction of a new town service in Mullingar.
No reference was made to the 132 route within the list of projects being progressed, and no new target date was provided for the deferred upgrade. The junior minister emphasised that decisions on service changes or enhancements were a matter for the NTA, which must take account of available funding, operational readiness and driver availability.
The reply did not include any route‑specific reliability data for the 132, despite ongoing concerns from commuters about punctuality and cancellations. The NTA’s most recent quarterly performance reports have highlighted reliability challenges across several Bus Éireann PSO routes, with staffing shortages cited as a key factor. While Mr Buttimer acknowledged that workforce constraints were affecting service performance “across the network”, he did not address the 132’s performance directly.
The absence of a clear timeline for the upgrade marks the latest setback for the route, which has seen repeated delays to planned service improvements.
In late 2025, the NTA told Deputy Timmins that the Department of Transport had placed a temporary hold on uncommitted expenditure, which had prevented the authority from proceeding with the 132 enhancement at that time. Although the NTA indicated that the project remained active, the 2026 update suggests that it has since stalled amid broader pressures on the public transport system.
Passenger demand on regional and commuter routes has grown steadily in recent years, driven by population growth in Wicklow and increased reliance on public transport for commuting to Dublin.
The 132 is one of the county’s key interurban services, providing a direct link to the capital for towns along the west Wicklow corridor. The planned upgrade was expected to increase frequency and improve capacity at peak times, addressing long‑standing concerns about overcrowding and inconsistent service intervals.
However, the response indicates that the government’s priority is now to consolidate the existing network rather than expand it. He said maintaining and strengthening current services was essential to ensure high‑demand routes could operate effectively, while the sector worked to resolve staffing shortages and implement longer‑term reforms aimed at improving capacity, accessibility and efficiency.
The NTA has previously said that recruitment campaigns are ongoing across the bus sector, with operators seeking to increase driver numbers and fill technical roles. While progress has been made in some areas, the minister’s comments suggest that staffing levels remain a limiting factor for service expansion.
For commuters on the 132, the latest update means continued uncertainty over when, or if, the long‑promised improvements will be delivered. With no revised timeline and no commitment to advancing the upgrade in 2026, the route remains dependent on the NTA’s ability to secure additional resources and resolve operational constraints.
Deputy Timmins has raised the issue repeatedly in the Dáil, citing the importance of reliable and frequent public transport for communities along the Wicklow–Dublin corridor. The minister’s response is likely to prompt further questions about the status of the project and the broader impact of staffing and funding pressures on regional bus services.
As the NTA works within its current allocation and focuses on stabilising the network nationwide, the future of the 132 upgrade appears tied to the outcome of ongoing recruitment efforts and future budget decisions.