Green light for public Laois Carlow bus service to help students as driver shortage addressed

Obstacles to a new Laois to Carlow bus service caused by bus driver recruitment problems appear to have been overcome following confirmation from Local Link Laois Offaly that it will commence this month.

The new bus service, which it's claimed will improve connectivity between Mountrath and Carlow for students, starts on Monday, August 21.

Route 822 will operate four daily return services Monday to Saturday and three daily return services on Sunday, creating a new connection from Mountrath to Carlow.

Transport for Ireland (TFI) Local Link say the new service will provide improved connectivity to the SETU Carlow campuses as well as providing a peak-time service for commuters and improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services in Mountrath and Carlow. 

Local Link also promises that the route will offer enhanced connectivity to villages and areas such as Abbeyleix, Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, The Swan, Clogh, Moneenroe, Crettyard, Newtown, Killeshin and Graiguecullen.

Speaking ahead of the launch TFI Local Link Laois Offaly General Manager Frances Byrne said: “We are delighted to launch Route 822 Mountrath to Carlow and increase our service provision in Laois. 

“This new timetable has been designed to facilitate passengers travelling between towns and villages, which enables greater connectivity and creates access for employment, education, training, recreation, social and health purposes.

“I would encourage passengers to make the most of our public transport system as it’s not only an environmentally friendly option but also an inclusive and cheaper way to travel. Leap and TFI Go are accepted on this service along with the Free Travel Pass.

“The National Transport Authority (NTA) is committed to the growth and development of local bus services, which in this case, is a brand-new high-frequency service linking key rural towns that will provide opportunities for people to get to where they need to go.

“In partnership with the NTA, we support the Government’s Sustainable Mobility Policy and believe this new service and enhancements to existing services in Laois Offaly complement the policy and it will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector,” she said.

The service was announced early in 2023 but doubts emerged this summer when Green Party Minister of State Pippa Hackett flagged a problem with sourcing drivers.

"The NTA told me that the shortage of drivers is a risk factor," she said in July.  

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This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the NTA as part of the TFI Network.