More Portlaoise bus routes needed as passenger numbers soar
The Portlaoise town bus service was described as 'the success story of 2025' at a council meeting. Photo: NTA
CALLS have been made for Portlaoise town bus routes to be extended, after a huge increase in passenger numbers.
The number of passengers soared to more than 36,900 between June and July, up from 24,881 when the new service was launched last February.
Portlaoise Plaza and the Ballyfin and Abbeyleix roads are among the areas where additional stops are needed, according to councillors who were contacted by residents.
The latest passenger figures for the TFI (Transport For Ireland) service were presented at a Portlaoise Municipal District meeting this week.
The bus service began on 24 February with two main routes, PL1 and PL2, with buses running every half-hour. The PL1 service from Colliers Lane to Woodgrove includes the busy train station and Borris road, while the PL2 between Kilminchy and Bellingham takes in the Midland Regional Hospital and the IDA Business and Technology Park.
Figures presented by council director of services Simon Walton show that 24,881 passengers travelled on the routes between 24 February and 23 March. That number increased to 36,907 between 16 June and 13 July, the latest month for which figures are available.
Mr Walton said passenger feedback and numbers were very positive, as he described the Portlaoise operation as one of the best performing town bus services in the country.
He said: “I think it would probably outscore significantly a lot of other towns where a bus service has been introduced. It will be interesting to see the figures for August and particularly for September-October. Hopefully the trend is in the same direction.”
While the positive report was welcomed, many councillors called for additional stops to serve other busy parts of the town.
Cllr Paddy Buggy asked for another stop in Kilminchy, near the residential area for older people. He said: “It’s just down the hill from the existing stop and it would make a big difference.”
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said people were “delighted” with the bus service but there were requests for additional stops, particularly in areas such as the Ballyfin and Abbeyleix roads, Portlaoise Plaza and the National Enterprise Park in Togher.
Cllr Barry Walsh agreed that a service was needed at Portlaoise Plaza and suggested that buses could “do a loop” to serve that area. Cllr Tommy Mulligan also called for additional stops in such areas.
Cllr Marie Tuohy commented: “What stands out for me is the number of students using the bus, particularly on the Borris road and Stradbally road.”
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley described the bus service as “the success story of 2025” but also called for additional stops, particularly on the Ballyfin road which has a lot of older residents.
While it is hoped that high passenger numbers will strengthen the case for extra stops, Mr Walton pointed out that the bus service is funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), so it is the NTA rather than the council that will decide whether the service will be expanded. However, he said that he would bring councillors’ requests to the NTA.
He said: “We facilitated it in terms of bus stops and so on but it is funded by the NTA, so they control the purse strings and how the service will or will not be expanded in the future.”
Mr Walton said the council intended to make a submission to the NTA over the next couple of months, which would include comments from the municipal district office and elected representatives.
He said: “Ultimately, the decision maker regarding expanding the service will be the NTA. The numbers using the service here are very encouraging but I don’t know whether that will support our request for a broadening of the service.”
