Wicklow families in last-minute scramble for transport following school bus cancellations

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Bus Éireann and the Department of Education have been asked to provide immediate clarity on the last-minute cancellation of school bus services in parts of north and west Wicklow.

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore called the move “completely unacceptable” after she was contacted by concerned parents across Wicklow about the situation.

They were informed late on Thursday night that no transport arrangements are in place for their child’s school route next week, despite having already received tickets under the School Transport Scheme.

In a statement from Bus Éireann, it was revealed that some routes have been cancelled due to a lack of available drivers or contractors. Some services received no bids at all, despite repeated efforts to secure them. Among the impacted routes in Wicklow are B8177 and B9170 serving Blessington, the B9043 serving Kilcoole, and B9050 serving Greystones.

Deputy Whitmore has expressed her frustration at the scheme and how it operates in County Wicklow.

“This is not a new issue. Every year we see the same problems with driver shortages and route cancellations, and every year families are left high and dry.

“Last year, it took up to six months for some school bus routes to be operational in Wicklow. It’s disgraceful that the Department and Bus Éireann have not put proper contingency plans in place.

“This is causing huge stress for parents who are now scrambling to make alternative arrangements at the last minute. It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a serious disruption to family life and children’s education,” Whitmore said.

Deputy Whitmore, who is also the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on transport, said the long-term solution must be a properly funded, school bus programme that runs smoothly across the country.

“A reliable school transport system would ease the cost-of-living burden, reduce traffic congestion, and help us meet our climate targets. But right now, families in Wicklow just need to know how their children are getting to school next week.

“I’ll be raising this directly with the minister and demanding immediate action.” she added.

Also speaking on the issue, Sinn Féin TD John Brady said the situation is “simply disgraceful.”

Deputy Brady said he has been contacted by constituents on the matter and criticised both the timing and the lack of forward planning by Bus Éireann and the government.

“This bus service has run in previous years and families rightly expected that the commitment given to them would be honoured. I have raised the issue of no public transport service between Newtownmountkennedy and Kilcoole, particularly for those who depend on it for school, and it shows once again the complete lack of joined up thinking from government and agencies like the NTA when it comes to basic services,” he said.

Deputy Brady also highlighted that lack of secondary school facilities in Newtownmountkennedy is adding to the problem.

“This means children have to travel to places like Kilcoole and Greystones. Yet the government and the Department of Education have made it clear that they have no plans to build such a school, despite the clear and growing need.”

Deputy Brady confirmed he has written to both the Transport Minister and Bus Éireann to demand urgent intervention.