Sherlock again calls for Government to Fix broken school bus system
Labour Spokesperson on Children Sean Sherlock TD has called again for the Government to fix the broken school bus transport system as parents receive refusal emails on concessionary tickets over the weekend with the new school year just around the corner.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“Every year this issue arises and every year the Government wrings it hands, expresses sympathy and waits for parents to become exasperated and give up the fight.
“The report into the school bus system by the Department recommended, unsurprisingly, that no change should take place to the current system.
“The end result is that families are left stranded again just before the school year returns or in some cases, after the school year begins. Census data shows us that, nationally over 60% travel by car to work or schools. Parents have paid for tickets for their children to go to school by public transport. Every year, having paid the ticket they’re being kicked off the bus and have to travel by car to school.
“We must create a supply of bus seats with parents willingly paying for tickets, as they already are, to take cars off the roads and encourage public transport use.”