Following significant delays and set-backs, Portlaoise Bus Service is expected to be delivered and operational by January 2025.
The announcement came from Mr Paul McLoughlin, Acting Director of Services, who was speaking at the October meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District this week.
Mr McLoughlin said: “The National Transport Authority (NTA) have provided updates on both the contracts for the installation of stop location infrastructure and the appointment of a service operator for the service.
“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.”
The announcement came in response to Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Fitzgerald who had asked for an update on the timeframe for the town’s planned bus service.
Cllr Fitzgerald called the announcement “great news for Portlaoise,” adding that January 2025 “is only a few months away.”
It will be welcome news for Portlaoise, who’s proposed bus service had initially been scheduled to begin operating earlier this year.
But delays in the introduction of Carlow and Clonmel bus services saw the timeframe for Portlaoise’s service put back in December of 2023.
The process to appoint a bus operator for the town finally began in March of this year, and, if the NTA are to be believed, the town’s new bus service is just three months away.
During the meeting Cllr Fitzgerald also asked that Laois County Council “review traffic management near Scoil Chríost Rí / Portlaoise CBS” on the Borris Road.
“I don’t think this has been right from the word go,” the Fianna Fáil councillor said.
“Traffic is backed up completely; its not moving at all. Its absolutely disastrous since they reopened.”
Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer, said the Council’s Road Design Department will “reassess the traffic arrangements” at the schools.
Cllr Fitzgerald went on to call for resurfacing on the Clonad Road, saying the road “hasn’t been done for years.”
Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer at the Portlaoise Municipal District Roads Office, said “the L-26965 will be included for consideration for resurfacing as part of the 2025 Roads Programme.”
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