Public bus route in Laois driving past passengers without stopping
Bus passengers in east Laois are being left waiting on the road as the bus now drives past without stopping, a local councillor has complained to Laois County Council.
A public bus route that goes from Carlow through Castlecomer, Ballylinan, Killeshin and Newtown, used to stop at Behan's Pub in in Tolerton, says Cllr Ben Brennan.
He claims this is no longer happening.
"There has been a stop there for 50 years. There is a new operator now. People were standing at that stop and the bus just decided to pass on. The stops are four to six miles apart. You are talking about more bus shelters, we can't even get a bus stop. We were told they are sticking to a designated route.
"It will not stop. They say they have their routes set. What do we have to do to make them stop?" he asked.
He raised his complaint to Laois County Council's October meeting.
Director of Services for Roads is Simon Walton.
"All the council does is provide infrastructure provided by the National Transport Authority. The service provider applies to the NTA and they decide to provide a licence. We can't direct an operator where to stop," he said.