Government decision on school bus capacity set to l eave children ‘out in the cold’

A North Cork TD has launched a scathing attack on the Government who, he said, is set to leave children ‘out in the cold on school bus tickets’.

Labour TD Seán Sherlock has received confirmation that will only add to the confusion and potential discrimination of allocating seats on school transport, following the announcement by Government.

“We have been warning the the Government for weeks to get their house in order for the return of schools,” said Deputy Sherlock.

“I have now received confirmation from Bus Éireann that buses will run normally as schools return with the 50% capacity being introduced as the weeks go by. So you may have a seat this week, but you may not next week. This confirms the confusion for parents, bus operators and school communities.”

“This will deny students places on buses. There is no doubt of that,” he said.

Deputy Sherlock said that the Ministers for Education and Transport must present themselves to the Dáil for questioning on the criteria for exclusion and inclusion. This will become an issue of discrimination without extra buses allocated for routes.

“Action must be taken by the Government to protect, enhance and improve school transport for all. How can the virus determine the difference between a primary and a post primary school bus? The Dáil should be sitting now and every day until we get this right.“

Bus Eireann has written to Deputy Sherlock to explain the issue.

In the letter, the transport company said the seating capacity will be assessed for seat numbers and reduced to 50% of that amount.

A 52 seater coach will have 26 available seats while a 36 seater bus will have 18 seats available.

Bus Eireann will be introducing such arrangements on a phased basis over the coming weeks and a review of each Post Primary Route/Post Primary Centre will take place.

Bus Eireann said: “Consideration will be given to options such are reviewing scheduling options along with the potential for additional resource where required. We are working closely with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to requirement for resources.

“However, Post Primary services will operate at normal capacity upon schools reopening and measures to comply with 50% capacity will be rolled out on a phased basis.”