Laois getting a new bus service with Dublin Kilkenny link

People living in Laois along the borders with Kildare, Carlow and Kilkenny are getting getting a new bus route after a shake up in services that includes the the dropping of a Kilkenny Dublin bus.

From January 1, 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) says services on bus Route 817 will be replaced by new and expanded services on Route 897 between Kilkenny city and Athy. It says there will also be additional stops on Route 130/A between Athy and Dublin city.

The Route 897 will operate seven days a week serving Kilkenny, Castlecomer, Carlow Town, Athy. Laois stops on the route include Crettyard, Newtown Cross, Killeshin, Arles, Ballickmoyler and Ballylynan.

The NTA says has reviewed the performance of Route 817 which pprovides one round trip between Kilkenny and Dublin in the middle of the day, 7 days a week .

"This review identified that since its introduction in 2017 there has been poor usage levels of the service in both directions. Since launching the service has carried an average of only 12 passengers on each bus journey. This figure reduced to 6 passengers on average during the height of the COVID pandemic. Post pandemic, patronage recovered to 9 passengers on average in each direction and has remained at that level," it said.

It said funding assigned to this route can be better used to provide a higher-level service to more effectively meet the needs of the areas served. It says alternative services will be provided to meet the needs of existing Route 817 passengers and to attract new custom.

More below table that shows the timetable of service that will be provided on Route 897.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow Manager Jackie Meally said: “This newly enhanced service will provide people with access to services and onward connections seven days a week. People can now access a wide range of public and social services such as college, work, appointments along with onward train and bus connections”.

Route 897 (Kilkenny city – Athy)

From 01 January 2023 TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow will operate new Route 897 serving Kilkenny – Castlecomer – Carlow Town – Athy. This new route will run a return service 7 days a week and will also serve areas including Moneenroe, Crettyard, Newtown Cross and Ballylynan. 

Route 130/A (Athy – Naas – Dublin City)

To facilitate customers from areas between Athy and Naas who previously travelled to Newlands Cross on Route 817, route 130/A will serve bus stop no. 2176 at Newlands Cross on the approach to the city centre, from 1st January 2023.

More details at https://www.nationaltransport.ie/45200/