Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, Cian O’Callaghan, has warned that the withdrawal of school bus routes across parts of Dublin could cost families thousands if replacement services are not provided.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“Earlier this summer Dublin Bus announced that it was ceasing 25 direct bus services across Dublin that brought students to and from school. These services had been sub-contracted out to private operators by Dublin Bus.
“While the National Transport Authority has announced some replacement services, there are still large numbers of students who will be starting school very soon without any direct school bus service.
“In my constituency, students who had a dedicated and safe bus service in the last school year are now being told by the NTA that they must walk 3.6 km on country roads without footpaths and public lighting in order to access their nearest bus service to get to school. This is utterly unacceptable, unworkable and unsafe.
“The Minister for Education has today announced compensation for families who cannot use school bus services due to social distancing capacity constraints. However, there is no compensation being provided for families where their school bus service has been withdrawn completely. This is absolutely unfair and I’m calling on the Government to fully restore all school bus services.”
August 21, 2020