New bus service links Birr and Portlaoise

A new Route 823 bus service connecting Birr to Portlaoise launched on October 20. The new service, by TFI Local Link Laois Offaly, will operate seven days a week, five times a day, Monday to Saturday, and four times a day on Sunday.

Route 823 will provide greater regularity and flexibility than ever before for the communities of Birr, Mountmellick and Portlaoise along with Crinkill, Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, which are not currently served by any regular public bus service.

With a peak time service for commuters to Birr, the new Route 823 will provide stronger links to national bus and rail networks in Birr, Mountmellick and Portlaoise and importantly, early and late services to Portlaoise for communities connecting to Dublin and elsewhere.

This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority, with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns.

TFI Local Link Laois Offaly Manager, Frances Byrne said: “The timetable for the new Route 823 service is structured to meet other transport links such as Irish Rail and private operators, along with some of our own TFI Local Link Laois Offaly services and provide greater access for the local communities in the rural areas."