New bus route linking Portlaoise railway stn with South Laois/Co. Kilkenny locations:

[Traincustomer]

This bus route operated by M & A Coaches on behalf of the National Transport Authority commences today, Monday 19th November 2012, linking Portlaoise railway station to the South Laois/Kilkenny settlements of Abbeyleix, Durrow, Cullohill, Johnstown and Urlingford.

There are two daily journeys in each direction all of which serve Portlaoise railway station as well as the main bus stop at the Laois Shopping Centre. The majority of journeys also serve Portlaoise Hospital.

This route arose out of a strong local campaign and meetings between the local group and the NTA subsequent to Bus Eireann and Aircoach's discontination of the South Laois stops on each company's Cork-Dublin routes earlier this year (until yesterday evening Bus Eireann operated a route 128 from Johnstown to Portlaoise as an interim measure).

Details of the timetable and fares that apply to route 828 may be found at the link hereunder:

http://www.mandacoaches.com/Routes.html

It is good to see local bus services being linked to railway stations; indeed it is a somewhat untapped aspect which could be developed to a much greater extent to optimise usage of the rail network and maximise connectivity and journey opportunities.

[dowlingm]

Interesting: DSP holders get 50pc off. Would that fare structure have been requested/demanded by NTA?

It seems to me this is the sort of operation that IE should be trying to get an additional morning and evening rotation on in order to bring people to the Portlaoise commuter.

[Traincustomer]

New route 828X was introduced this Monday 25th November 2013 (replacing temporary Bus Éireann route 128X but that didn't serve the station).

Mondays to Saturdays there are two journeys each way from Portlaoise railway station to Cashel via Urlingford plus a third journey to Portlaoise railway station on Friday evenings.

The bus stops at the Transport for Ireland bus stop just outside the station on Station Road (the exit accessed via the stairs from the Cork-bound platform).

Timetable here (http://www.mandacoaches.com/Routes.html)