Unique rail-bus-airport ticketing to benefit Laois people claims Irish Rail

Passengers from Laois can now book one ticket which will allow them travel to Dublin Airport by rail and bus, following the launch of a new initiative. 

The new ticketing and travel initiative between coach operator Dublin Express and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail was launched recently. For the first time, passengers throughout Laois can travel to Dublin Airport by rail or bus from all over the county by booking just one ticket.

Under a new ticketing agreement, people travelling from all Laois train stations to Heuston Station can buy their tickets online with Irish Rail and have the option of adding an onward connecting bus journey from Heuston Station to Dublin Airport with Dublin Express.

Following a successful trial, sales of joint rail and bus tickets between Heuston Station and Dublin Airport have increased almost four-fold in just three months.

From January to September 2023, Dublin Express carried 143,000 passengers to or from Heuston Station and Dublin Airport and by the end of the year, this number is expected to reach around180,000 which shows the massive potential for this new service. These numbers are exclusive of the Irish Rail launch.

It's claimed that this has removed 90,000 car journeys in 2023.

John Boughton, Managing Director of National Express Ireland, said: “There’s clearly a demand for high quality, sustainable and stress-free travel from Irish consumers.  More and more people are opting for quality public transport services and this service delivers just that.

“Our partnership with Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail is just one of the ways we can help people travel conveniently and affordably.  We estimate 33% of airport travellers will use public transport this year and this will only increase in the years to come. Not only will it help cut thousands of car journeys from Irish roads, towns and cities, it will also help to cut carbon emissions and help us fulfil our climate action targets as a nation”.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, Jim Meade said: “As a public transport provider we are passionate about promoting the use of public transport. This partnership with National Express enables more and more people to choose a sustainable, seamless and convenient transport option when travelling into Heuston and onwards to Dublin Airport. The passenger numbers released today, show that thousands of people are already opting to use this service and I believe that these numbers will continue to grow and grow”.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.dublinexpress.ie or www.irishrail.ie.