Extra Bus Services For Laois Towns

Thursday, 29 August 2019 00:00

Laois-Offaly Local Link will provide three extra services between Roscrea and Portlaoise.

Laois-Offaly Local Link will provide three extra services between Roscrea and Portlaoise from 1st of September.

A temporary bus service has been operating on the route after the withdrawal of services by JJ Kavanagh & Sons earlier this year.

The route will serve Borris-In-Ossory, Pike of Rushall, Castletown and Mountrath between Monday and Saturday for early mornings and evenings bus users.

Statement by the National Transport Authority:

The National Transport Authority (NTA) says the updated timetable for the Roscrea to Portlaoise bus service (Route 834), operated by Local Link Laois Offaly, will bring a permanent enhancement to bus services in the area.

The route will address gaps in service arising from the decision earlier this year by JJ Kavanagh & Sons to withdraw service from a number of intermediate locations.

In the wake of that announcement, the NTA carried out an examination of the affected locations and determined that there was in fact a requirement to continue to provide services to meet the social need in the area.

Based on this examination, Local Link Laois Offaly will implement an updated timetable effective Sunday, 1^st September, with the first service departing from Roscrea at 7:55am and the last service departing at 7:25pm. The first bus service will depart from Portlaoise at 6:50am, and the last service departs at 8.45pm. All services are in operation from Monday through Saturday with alternative Sunday and Bank Holiday timetables.

Free Travel Pass holders and children under five years travel free, and all buses are wheelchair accessible.

Margaret Malone, Local Link’s Rural Transport Manager said: “We have heard the concerns from local communities from Roscrea to Portlaoise and we’re hopeful that the long-term solution announced today will meet the needs of commuters in the area.

“The enhanced Local Link services that are being rolled out will see a greater range of public transport options provided to local residents and will bring greater connectivity to towns and villages in Tipperary and Laois.”