Look back on 'Milestone day' a year on from launch of new Portlaoise bus service

The six shiny new yellow and green buses for Portlaoise Town Service got a warm welcome at the official launch at Laois County Council plaza, days before the service began on Sunday, February 23 2025.

The wheelchair / buggy accessible diesel buses will work four at a time, from very early morning to midnight, with the hopes they will take some cars off the road in the busy town, and help others with no cars.

The buses run on the half hour at 21 stops in a network from the outskirts of the town through its centre, with fares costing at most €2, and nothing at all for the 30% of expected travel pass users. They each have space for up to 75 passengers, between seating and standing.

All you need to know about the new Portlaoise Town Service

Free charged Leap cards and timetables were handed out by NTA staff in Portlaoise town centre ahead of the launch.

The council CEO Michael Rainey said while the launch is a success, true success will be getting everyone to step on board.

"I'd love to claim the glory for this but I've only been here 10 weeks. A huge amount of work has been done by our staff and also elected members. Portlaoise does need a bus service, it's one of the largest towns in the country. I want to thank the National Transport Authority for funding the work. I've seen it in Carlow and its all about encouraging people, making them aware that it is very accessible. The real success is in getting it used well," he said.

John Knott is head of the planning section of the NTA.

"This only comes about because of the work by Laois County Council, they kept it on the agenda, politely twisting my arm for funding. For a town the scale of Portlaoise we did not want to do a piecemeal job. This is a real alternative to the car. It's 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with the best of infrastructure. That is what was needed for a town the size of Portlaoise," he said.

He said that extra routes can be added in time, with reminders from Portlaoise councillors on the less populated Abbeyleix road and the new Dunamase College to come in Summerhill.

"This is a five year contract with City Direct. We'll be watching and analysing issues," he said.

The new service and buses cost the NTA €1.5m, Mr Knott told to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. He said it will cost them €1.6m a year to run it. 

The service has created 27 jobs for bus drivers. All are men, because there were very few female applicants, according to Mr Knott.

One of those drivers is Ionel Sumanariu. He will manage the Portlaoise service, having had years of experience in other towns driving City Direct buses. He recently moved to Portlaoise from Galway to take up his new role.

"It's a lovely town, I've been here a few months so I know all the stops, we are looking forward to pressing start on the 23rd," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

The seven Portlaoise Municipal District councillors and Deputy Brian Stanley were the first to get a go on the new bus, at the official launch on February 19. Watch video of the launch here.

Dep Stanley praised the new service.

"We have to reduce our carbon footprint, take traffic out of the town centre and provide a cheap way of getting people into town.  It's 6km from one side of the town to the other. The buses are high quality with disability access. In rural areas there have been improvements in Local Link services, we are getting to the stage that we have a good transport network," he said.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Padraig Felming said it is "a great occasion for Portlaoise".

"I congratulate the NTA and the council and all who worked hard on this. Particularly Portlaoise councillors who fought for this improvement. Portlaosie will benefit significantly," he said.

Portlaoise Municipal District chair is Cllr Paddy Buggy.

"It's a great day for Portlaoise and public transport. It's almost a city and it does deserve a good transport system. I wish everyone safe travellng," he said. 

Director of Services Simon Walton said it is "a milestone day".

"It's a significant step forward for Portlaoise acknowledging its growth in 20 years. In 2002 it had 12000 people, in 2022 it was 24,000 and it's growing since. A lot of huge work has gone into this by the council staff, I thank Paul Mcloughlin and Darren Coss and the support of Sandra Southern. I thank the National Transport Authority (NTA) for paying for it and overseeing it," he said.

Download the TFI Leap, Live and Go apps here to prebuy cheaper bus tickets and check when the next bus is coming.

The NTA's Director of Public Transport Services Jeremy Ryan also attended the launch.

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"I am delighted to be here today to announce this exciting new service. It reflects our shared commitment to better and more sustainable public transport. The early morning starts will ensure everyone has better connectivity to trains. I encourage all residents and all visitors to make use of it," he said.

He explained that bus timetables will not go up at the bus stops for several months to come.

"We will see how the times are achieved in reality. Before that they are online on the TFI apps," Mr Ryan said in February 2025.