"Finally": Laois town to receive new bus service

Portlaoise town is to receive a new internal bus service by January 2025.

This bus service will help alleviate high levels of traffic through the town, allowing passengers to travel via environmentally friendly electric buses.

An update on the rollout of the bus service was requested by Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Fitzgerald at the latest sitting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.

“The National Transport Authority have provided updates on both the contracts for the installation of stop location infrastructure and the appointment of a service operator for the service," said Laois County Council's Acting Director of Services Mr Paul McLoughlin.

"A framework contractor is due to be appointed in the coming weeks to deliver to stop locations and there is an ongoing recruitment campaign for up to 25 drivers for the service. Based on the updates provided, it is expected that the service will be operational in January 2025," Mr McLoughlin finished.

Cllr Fitzgerald welcomed this update.

"This is a great response, it has been an ongoing process, and a few towns went in front of us," Cllr Fitzgerald said.

"But January 2025 is only a few months away, and people are really looking forward to getting this bus service. I think it's great news for Portlaoise and I look forward to it," Cllr Fitzgerald finished.

This bus service was originally proposed in 2017 through the 2040 And Beyond A Vision For Portlaoise – A Strategy For A Better Town Centre plan.

This climate action plan aims to reduce, traffic and congestion, reduced emissions, establish more bike-friendly roads and green spaces, and revitalized buildings in Portlaoise's town centre.

This bus service has faced many setbacks in its rollout, and was originally planned to launch in early 2024.