'Disappointment' no to bus stop at Portlaoise housing estate

The long walk to a bus stop is putting off some Portlaoise residents from catching the bus, according to a local councillor.

A request to add an extra stop on the Portlaoise town bus service at the front of Fielbrook estate on the Dublin Road has been turned down by Laois County Council. Instead they are focusing on adding shelters to existing stops.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald is "disappointed" and described the demand for the bus stop.

"This has been going on from the time the bus service started. A huge amount of people ask me, I think every week," she said this April.

She said it is particularly needed "If you get a spilling wet day, or for a person with mobility issues".

"I think it's ideal for a stop, I urge you to look at it again," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

Councillors have previously asked for more stops on the service, which hit a quarter of a million passengers within a year.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley speaking in support said "I've had people living in the area telling me they won't use it because the bus goes past up to the hospital. Then they have to walk back down".

Laois County Council director Simon Walton said he is "not giving any commitment" but will be shortly meeting the National Transport Authority (NTA) who provide Portlaoise bus service.

"We will take that forwards. There are some modifications and embellishments that we ourselves feel are necessary. The issue of shelters does arise at a number of stops," Mr Walton said.

He noted that the Portlaoise bus service has seen "huge numbers using it" and is a "huge success". 

Cllr Fitzgerald's motion was tabled to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded it and asked if Portlaoise councillors can also meet the NTA. 

"Fielbrook is very built up, with Maryborough Crescent at the back.

"Is it possible to engage with the NTA, it's a year since the service rolled out. It's an ideal opportunity to invite them in to ask them to look at extra routes, such as the Ballyfin Road," she said.

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The council's Active Travel section gave a written reply to the motion. 

"The council is not in a position to provide a new bus stop at Fieldbrooke (sic). Investment is currently focused on the upgrade of existing stops across the county over and above the provision of new stops. In this case there is an existing bus stop nearby at Portlaoise Hospital which serves both local and long distance bus services".