Annual scramble for school bus places

As September draws closer, so too does the annual scramble for school bus places.

Despite the Government’s endeavours to review and revise the regulations and eligibility for the School Transport Scheme, some children across Tipperary and the country as a whole continue to be left without a guaranteed means of getting to and from schools when they re-open.

Some remain hopeful of getting a Concessionary Bus Ticket, but the closer it gets to the school re-opening, the slimmer this chance becomes.

As a result, Deputy Michael Lowry has criticised the Government for not introducing reforms proposed in a Review of the School Transport Scheme quickly enough to save these students and their families the stress of losing their school transport.

Deputy Lowry and the members of the Regional Group of TDs brought a motion before the Dáil at the beginning of this year calling on the Government to address this matter and ensure the School Transport Scheme remains a dependable and eco-friendly means of transportation for all students.

At that time Deputy Lowry stated that the existing scheme was not fit for purpose and required a radical overhaul as it is riddled with anomalies and inconsistencies. He added: “The rigid interpretation of the rules and regulations have deprived hundreds of children of access to school transport.”

He attributed much of the school transport problem to the chronic shortage of qualified bus drivers, describing this as an established contributor to the struggle to provide places on school buses.

Currently, Bus Éireann does not permit people over the age of 70 to become a driver on the School Transport Scheme.

“It is inexplicable’,” says Deputy Lowry, “that a qualified bus driver over 70 years of age cannot drive a Bus Éireann school run.”

Minister Foley has said the policy was being kept under review by Bus Éireann and other efforts were being made to attract additional bus drivers to deal with the ongoing shortage.