Louth councillor highlights need for information for new school transport students

With applications for the School Transport Scheme remaining open until the last Friday of April, Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall has called on Bus Eireann to provide what she calls crucial information, to parents of students accessing the scheme for the first time.

“While I fully support the School Transport Scheme and its advantages for cost efficient public transport", said Cllr Hall, "for the past few years I’ve been calling on Bus Eireann to provide information on their routes.

"Parents need to know which bus contractor has been appointed for their child’s route, what times the pick up and drop offs are, and where their child will get on the bus.

"This may seem like basic details that would be easily accessed but every year I’m inundated with calls from frustrated parents. In fact, I’ve been that parent that was told by a Bus Eireann staff member to ask a neighbour!"

Cllr Hall continued: "The School Bus Transport office often doesn’t have the information to hand. It is ridiculous that Bus Eireann can’t give out the schedule details either with the issuing of the bus ticket or on a webpage.

"Most students who access this service are living in rural areas and they often have to walk or be dropped to a pick up point. Parents should be able to make an informed decision even before making an application."

Applications for School Transport for the new school year are currently open and can be accessed online here. 

The closing date for applications to the School Transport Scheme is Friday 28th April 2023. Cllr Hall has also clarified that existing school transport applications will automatically roll over into the new school year, and that payments or medical cards will be accepted from 3 April 2023 until 9 June 2023.