Call on Bus Éireann to include new Portlaoise estates on school run

Bus Éireann is going to be formally asked to extend their school bus service to more Portlaoise housing estates.

The national bus company will be asked by Laois County Council to cover more of the Mountrath Road which has multiple new estates, to serve studends of Gaelscoil Phortlaoise primary school.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan had made the call, in a motion tabled to the December meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

He wants the bus to go out as far as Bellingham housing estate, taking in Rock View and Maryborough estates.

"I've had parents on to me. Bus Éireann does not provide a service to this side of town to the gaelscoil. It is paid by the Department of Education. There is a costly bus service also there. The rules state that children must be over 3.2km from the school to qualify for a bus. Bellingham is 3.5km, Maryborough is 4.2km. Bus Éireann said in the past that they had no tickets left," Cllr Mulligan explained.

In reply area engineer Paul McLouglin said they will write to the company with the request.

"We'll add our own commentry, in light of the need to take more cars off the road," he said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion.

She is looking forward to Portlaoise getting its own public bus service in 2025.

"I asked for a bus here six years ago. Residents are coming in to get the train to commute to work. There's no bus stop, buses are passing them. I know the new bus route will address this. I'm looking forward to seeing it rolled out. It will be a great addition for the community," she said.