Pringle Welcomes New Portal For School Transport, But Says Capacity Must Meet Demand

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 9th September 2020

Pringle welcomes new portal for school transport, but says capacity must meet demand

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has welcomed the news this week that Bus Éireann has reopened the portal for bus tickets under the school transport scheme, and encouraged parents still seeking transport for students to apply online.

He also said there must be supports to ensure school transport will be available for all students who need it, particularly in light of social distancing guidelines.

Deputy Pringle said: “Too many parents were left disappointed this year when they tried to secure school transport for students.

“I welcome this news, but we also have to make sure provisions are being made to make sure school transport will be available to all students who need it.”

Deputy Pringle had called last week for the payment period to reopen after hearing from many Donegal parents who said their payments had been returned this year because they had arrived late. He said parents told him that late payments had been accepted in the past.

Deputy Pringle said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has heightened the problems we see every year with families unable to secure school transport for students. We cannot hold parents and students responsible for capacity problems related to the pandemic.

“The Government must also ensure the private bus companies that provide this vital service are also receiving the supports they need to meet the particular demands of this year.

“This highlights the lack of adequate Government planning for school reopenings,” Deputy Pringle said. “Why weren’t these issues dealt with before students returned to school?”