Garda Gráinne McLoone and Garda Patrick Kelly accompany
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07 Jan 2026
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07 Jan 2026
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Pictured: Slieve Bloom Coaches / Townlink. Photo: Google Maps
A privately owned bus company in Laois has introduced restrictions surrounding the acceptance of free travel passes on two routes.
Mountmellick based bus company Slieve Bloom Coaches / Townlink will no longer accept free travel passes after certain hours on two route's late-evening services.
From Monday January 12, free travel passes will not be accepted on the 830 route from Portlaoise to Tullamore beyond 19:20 hours. Free travel passes will only be accepted on this route between 06:35 to 19:20.
On route 837 from Tullamore to Mullingar, free travel passes will only be accepted between 07:10 and 19:10.
The 837 route will no longer accept free travel passes on services beyond 19:10.
Passengers on both routes outside of these times must now purchase a valid ticket.
Slieve Bloom Coaches / Townlink have alleged that they are not reimbursed for the passage of free travel pass holders beyond certain hours, prompting this decision.
Mr Mark Farrell, Operations/Transport Manager with Slieve Bloom Coach Tours, spoke with the Leinster Express / Laois Live on this announcement.
"We would like to clarify that our service is privately owned and independently operated," he said.
"Recently, we carried out a survey on behalf of the Department of Social Protection regarding free travel usage between the times stated on our flyer. We since added late evening services outside of these times to enhance the bus corridor that it serves.
"As a private operator, we are only reimbursed for free travel up to 19:20 each day as that is the times that the survey was conducted between," Mr Farrell explained.
"At present, we do not receive payment for free travel journeys made after this time, which has made it necessary to introduce the new rule regarding evening travel.
"We understand this may be inconvenient for some passengers. Our goal is to continue providing a reliable and sustainable service for all customers," he finished.
Darragh Lyons from Ballyfin, County Laois
Garda on duty after Centrepoint fire in March 2021
Portlaoise District Court
The road works will take place on the N80, Pearse Street
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