‘Urgent review’ of school bus services in Wexford required as families left without transport just weeks before term

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Although many students are now counting down the days to the holidays, thoughts have already turned to ensuring those attending schools in Co Wexford will have viable transport options come September.

At the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien asked that the Department of Education “urgently review and expand the provision of school transport services” in the county ahead of the next academic year.

Submitting a motion on the issue, Cllr O’Brien said no child should be left without access to a school place due to a lack of transport.

“In previous years a significant number of families in Co Wexford were refused access to school bus services, with some only receiving confirmation of refusal three weeks before the commencement of the school term,” she added. “This has caused considerable stress for families and has, in some cases, jeopardised students’ ability to attend school.”

Cllr Aoife Rose O'Brien. Pic: Jim Campbell

Requesting that the department “review eligibility criteria where necessary” and ensure any price increases were “fair and equitable” for all students, Cllr O’Brien asked for the support of her colleagues in the chamber.

That support came from all parties with Fianna Fáil’s Barbara Anne Murphy requesting that Local Link bus services be utilised for school runs in areas where there isn’t a designated service for students. Cllr Pat Barden of the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) also supported the motion saying he fields calls from concerned parents on this issue every summer.

“It’s a crazy situation and more resources are required for the Department of Education to resolve it,” he added.

Referencing the eligibility critera which states that children must reside within 4.8km of a secondary school to avail of transport, Cllr Jim Codd said those rules had to be loosened to enable “children from further afield to travel to school”.

Cllr O’Brien’s motion was subsequently carried and will now be forwarded to the Department of Transport for review.