Wicklow's 133 Bus Service To Undergo A Massive Overhaul In Early 2023.

Commuters along the east coast will see new schedules and timetables on the 133 route.

Bus commuters along the east coast will see significant service improvements early next year with new schedules and timetables to be introduced on the 133 route.

The 133 route was one part of two routes put out to tender by the National Transport Authority (NTA) last year, and the Authority has announced that the preferred bidder for the contract is Bus Éireann. The 133 currently runs between Wicklow town and Dublin City Centre, serving locations like Bray, Kilmacanogue and Belfield. Service levels will remain broadly similar to what they are now, but under the new contract, the 133 will by-pass Bray, reducing overall journey times by approximately 10 minutes.

The existing 133B between Wicklow and Bray runs very infrequently and will be a replaced by a new service, the 131, which will run every hour. The existing Bus Eireann 133L is to be run with increased frequency as a TFI Local Link service, by Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow. A plan to improve bus stop infrastructure along the 133 route will be agreed by NTA and Bus Éireann as part of the contract.

NTA will provide Bus Éireann with 35 brand new vehicles made up of 19 single deck and 16 double deck regional commuter vehicles. The 19 single deck buses (Volvo B8RLE chassis with Sunsundegui SB3LE bodywork) will be equipped as follows:

• Capacity for 49 seated passengers (no standees)
• Forward nearside service door equipped with manual wheelchair ramp, offside emergency door
• Permanent wheelchair space Page 2 of 2
• Internal luggage racking
• Individual high-backed passenger seats fitted with age-adjustable seatbelts
• Passenger Information System (Trapeze)
• Wi-Fi
• Air-conditioning
• USB power supply sockets at each seat
• CCTV camera system

The 16 double-deck buses (VDL Futura FDD2-141 integral) will be equipped as follows:

• Capacity for 75 seated passengers (no standees)
• Forward nearside service door and centre nearside service door equipped with manual wheelchair ramp
• Permanent wheelchair space
• Two internal staircases
• Limited internal luggage racking, with externally-accessible luggage compartment at rear
• Individual high-backed passenger seats fitted with age-adjustable seatbelts
• Passenger Information System
• Wi-Fi
• Air-conditioning
• USB power supply sockets at each seat
• CCTV camera system

The new services will become operational in early 2023 subject to the Authority receiving Government funding.