There’s still a month to go in the summer break but the shortage of school bus places is already an issue for some.
Tickets have been issued in the past week and one local public representative says he’s spoken to plenty who have missed out.
Councillor Willie Quinn claims since the cost was reduced too many families apply for tickets that they don’t make use of them and adds that that results in those in need of transport missing out.
Hear his conversation with our Alan O’Reilly on The KCLR Daily here;
Bus Éireann has sent on the following statement;
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education. The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school. Last year, Bus Éireann provided transport for over 162,500 pupils to and from school daily as part of school transport scheme
Under the terms of the scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post-primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. This is referred to as concessionary transport.
Following the payment closing date of 7 June 2024, the Bus Éireann local school transport office in Carlow is reviewing all applications for school transport for the coming school year and tickets are being issued in line with the guidelines of the scheme.
