New bus stops in Laois town are the most expensive in Ireland

A Laois TD expressed shock that Mountrath’s two new bus stops were the most expensive wheelchair accessible stops in the country in the past two years.  

Details of 70 new or upgraded Portlaoise bus stops were provided to Laois TD Sean Fleming.  He was also given details of two new bus stops in Mountrath which he said cost more than any other similar bus stops installed in Ireland in the last two years. 

Dep Fleming, who is Chairman of the Dáil Infrastructure & National Development Plan Delivery Committee,  specifically requested information in respect of the Portlaoise and Mountrath Bus Stops/Shelters.

In Portlaoise, the National Transport Authority provided 70 new or upgraded bus stops/shelters at a cost of €1,681,698. which is an average of €24,024, per location. The works depended on the amount of construction, paths and shelters that had to be carried out.

“Portlaoise has a population of over 30,000 people and is one of the fastest growing towns in the country. This is a major investment which will be of benefit for decades to come and will contribute to a greater public transport system in the town,” he said. 

In relation to Mountrath, he said, two new wheelchair accessible bus stops/shelters were installed. “By definition, these are much more complicated than ordinary bus stops because there had to be special areas set aside for wheelchairs, ramps, railings and significant drainage works had to be carried out.

The two bus stops/shelters in Mountrath cost €123,380, or. €61,690 each. These are the most expensive wheelchair accessible bus stops/shelters installed anywhere in the country in the last two years. I am really shocked as everybody will be to hear how much these projects cost,” said Dep Fleming. 

Documentation provided by Dep Fleming shows the national average price of wheelchair accessible stops is €49,000. The stops in Mountrath required “significant engineering works” and was delivered below the estimated budget, according to the documentation.  

 “It is great to see the increased service, but this infrastructure is coming in at a very high cost and this is one of the problems we are facing in the country, whether it is the high cost of provision of services like this or the construction of new houses. This is a matter we will have to watch closely to ensure that the taxpayer gets good services to encourage people to use public transport, but it is important that the taxpayer is not ripped off in the process,” said Dep Fleming. 

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“As Chairman of this new Dáil Committee I will be insisting that Government Departments and all their agencies provide accurate estimates for all major projects before the final sign off and commencement of construction. Taxpayers are entitled to have this information in advance and not be landed with a financial bombshell after the project is completed,” he concluded.