Schoolbuses set to operate at full capacity
SCHOOLBUSES will operate as normal and carry the same number of pupils as usual in the year ahead.
It has emerged there will be no reduction in capacity arising from public health restrictions aimed at suppressing the spread of Covid-19.
An exception to the social-distancing rule is being made for school buses because pupils are being pre-assigned seats next to a sibling or child from their class group.
A letter to parents from the Department of Education stresses the importance of children observing additional measures and hygiene requirements that will be in place.
SCHOOLBUSES will operate as normal and carry the same number of pupils as usual in the year ahead.
There will be no reduction in capacity arising from public health restrictions aimed at suppressing the spread of Covid-19.
Students and other passengers will have to observe certain protocols, but there will be no requirement to maintain a social distance on the bus.
Public transport is subject to physical distancing restrictions but because these will not apply to schoolbuses, operators will be able to offer the same number of seats as they would expect to do under normal circumstances.
Bus Éireann has confirmed services will fully operate as normal, in line with public health advice, with the appropriate hygiene and other measures in place.
However, while public health restrictions are not affecting on capacity, some families are likely to be disappointed not to get a hoped-for seat.
Capacity
The service carries more than 120,000 children, some of whom have automatic eligibility, while others seek what is known as a concessionary seat and get a place if there is spare capacity.
Every year, there are families whose applications for concessionary seats are unsuccessful, leading to disappointment.
Bus Éireann is issuing letters/emails to families this week confirming places for the year ahead. Those who have been turned down can appeal the decision.
A letter to parents from the Department of Education stresses the importance of children observing the additional measures and hygiene requirements that will be put in place.
The exception to the social-distancing rule is being made for schoolbuses because pupils are being pre-assigned seats next to a sibling or child from their class group, who should be the same child.
The department’s letter explained the plan to run services as normal takes account of the fact that school transport is different from public transport, in that each transport service carries the same children on a daily basis to their school.
“Because of this, the number of people using the service and their identities are known. This would facilitate contact tracing if it were required,“the letter states.
However, while waiting for the bus, students are being asked to maintain physical distancing and so avoid being in close contact with children from other family groups or class groups.
Children aged 13 and over will be expected to wear a face covering while waiting for, or sitting on the bus, unless there is a medical or other reason why they cannot.
Other rules involve using the hand sanitiser on boarding the bus, observing respiratory etiquette while waiting for, and while on the bus and disembarking from the bus one by one, in an orderly fashion.
The department’s letter notes that planning for normal resumption of school transport services in September is based on the most recent public health advice and there will be further contact with any updates.
Bus Éireann said it would work closely with all relevant stakeholders to successfully achieve the common objective of the safe reopening of schools across the country.