Portlaoise councillors praise success of new town bus service

A month into the new Portlaoise Town bus service, local councillors say the public are full of praise, and want more bus stops.

The service launched last February 23, as green and yellow Portlaoise buses hit the road to run from dawn to midnight, seven days a week, stopping at 21 bus stops every half hour. 

Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton says the "numbers using it are very encouraging to date".

"It's good to hear that the new bus service is popular," he said, speaking at the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley praised its success.

"I don't think I've heard a bad word about it. People are absolutely delighted. The only ones suffering a loss are taxi drivers, they are at a big loss. It's a great service for the growing population. I know many people, particularly the elderly are using it," she said.

She tabled a motion to ask for more stops at Summerhill to serve children walking to school.

"If it was extended to bring in the schools it would be fantastic.  The National Transport Authority said that they were open to expanding it, but they wanted to wait and see how the service is going," she said.

"The PL2 route goes past St Fintan's complex and that is the nearest stop to the Summerhill campus and Holy Family schools. That's a bit of a walk. PL1 stops at Colliers Lane. Any children there have to get off and walk to the Block Road. That's a long journey, I see a gap," she explained. 

Cllr Tommy Mulligan supported her motion.

"If you can take away some of the school traffic out of the town, that would alleviate a lot of congestion. Teenagers are starting to use the bus as well. There's a lot of excitement around it. that culture is starting off and it is going to improve," he said.

Read more: All you need to know about the Portlaoise Town Service.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Buggy added that "businesses in the town centre are seeing a lot more footfall".

In reply to Cllr Dwane Stanley's motion, Mr Walton will make the request to the NTA for the additional stop at Summerhill.