Laois TD hits out over Portarlington and Kildare bus service saying commuters lose out

Laois Independent TD Brian Stanley has hit out over the bus service between Portarlington and Kildare.

Yesterday, it was confirmed by Independent Councillor Aidan Mullins that the Route 816 would return.

However, Independent TD Brian Stanley says that what the NTA is proposing ‘falls well short of what is required’.

According to Deputy Stanley, the proposal will involve getting two buses.

Deputy Stanley said: “The failure by the (National Transport Authority) NTA reinstate route 816 which was Portarlington to Kildare services, leaves Portarlington commuters without a proper service.

“A large number of workers from Portarlington and surrounding area depend on this service to get to work in Kildare.

“While the NTA have now informed me that they are ‘working on a proposal’ to provide a service from Portarlington to Monasterevin, this falls way short of what is required.

“It would mean these commuters would have to get a connecting bus in Monasterevin.

“These Dublin bound busses can often arrive almost full to capacity.

“The previous route from Portarlington to Kildare needs to be reinstated as it provided an essential and affordable service for Portarlington people working in Kildare.

“I have contacted the NTA in this regard and requested they review their decisions.”

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