Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, has criticised the failings within the school transport system again this week, stating that the stress families have been placed under is unfair and completely unnecessary.
Teachta Daly said that he criticised the lack of planning and investment in school transportation after seeing the stress and worry faced by families this week and that he was compelled to highlight some of the inefficiencies in the system.
Refused a Ticket
“The portal remained closed until 25th August for most parents. They were completely unaware of the position related to their child’s school transport which resulted in devastation for many when they found out they were being refused a ticket.
Even though a large number of these parents had received tickets in previous years.
Late Applicants ?
“Bus Éireann seems to have chosen this peak time to roll out new software which appears to have caused a number of technical issues. Some parents with ‘Yahoo’ emails say they did not receive communications from Bus Éireann which has led to them losing their ticket, or being considered late applicants despite applying much earlier in the year.
A Reasonable Expectation
“While the bus ticket waiver is very welcome, the additional demand on the system appears to have been unanticipated by the department, and, accordingly, not managed efficiently.
“I have heard from a number of parents who received and paid for school bus tickets in the preceding years, and had a reasonable expectation that they would receive a bus ticket again this year, only to be denied a ticket right as their children were due to return to school.
Left at the Side of the Road
“These children are literally being left at the side of the road. Some parents are faced with having to give up their job or work shorter hours in order to manage the school run.
“I am calling on the Minister for Education to intervene and resolve this issue as a matter of priority.
“In many cases, buses are only 14 or 16 seats, and a slightly larger bus would easily accommodate the need,” said Teachta Daly.
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