Later train service needed to serve growing number of Laois commuters

A later train service from Heuston Station to Portlaoise and Portarlington has been called for by local councillors.

As more and more people are commuting from the county everyday, the demand for a later train service between Dublin and Laois has increased.

As it stands, 13,000 people commute from Laois each day for work and school. Most of these commuters are travelling to Dublin. 

Councillors Tommy Mulligan and Barry Walsh have pressed Laois County Council to contact Irish Rail and request that the last train service departing Heuston Station at 11:10pm be extended to include Portarlington and Portlaoise Train Station.

Speaking at the December meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Mulligan emphasised that Portlaoise Station is one of the busiest stations outside of Dublin with 33 trains going to Dublin each day and 30 returning. 

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He told the council that daily boardings are up to 1,000 in Portarlington and between 1,000 and 2,000 in Portlaoise. He admitted this is a "fantastic train service", but another later service would benefit the county immensely. 

The final train departing from Heuston Station is at 11.10pm and terminates at Kildare. Cllr Mulligan explained that by adding 15 minutes to this train journey it would reach Portarlington and by adding 26 minutes it would arrive in Portlaoise. 

The Independent councillor remarked that from his own experience of using this busy service recently, "there's definitely a market there."

He said: "If the train service could continue to Portarlington and Portlaoise, it would greatly benefit the people of Laois. You're looking at much greater flexibility for commuters that are up in Dublin with more options for getting home."

Councillor Walsh, who jointly raised the motion, added that this has been brought up before and the National Transport Authority told them it was subject to demand. With a commuter survey currently being carried out in Laois, he suggested that they ask people whether or not the service would be of use if it was available. 

Cllr Vivienne Phelan and Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the motion and argued it would have a broader impact on people across Laois.

Not only would this help commuters, but anyone returning from a night out or event in Dublin could avail of it.

Cllr Phelan mentioned that with the cost of rent in Dublin now, many students are making the commute for college rather than living there. She said that the social aspect of college is also important and this later train service could greatly help these students.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme