Huge relief for Meelick parents with positive news on school bus route
- Multiple meetings held to resolve issue
- Light finally at end of tunnel
Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has welcomed the confirmation that the resumption of the Meelick-Limerick City school bus route is imminent.
Pupils on this route have been without school transport since the beginning of the school term, which has put huge strain on their parents in trying to get them to and from school.
“I’m delighted first and foremost for my neighbours, the parents and pupils of Meelick, who have been in contact with me for months on this bus issue,” said Deputy Crowe.
“I’ve been in constant contact with Bus Éireann on this and all of the other routes that have been giving issues this school year and have had literally hundreds of parents emailing and phoning me and meeting me at clinics.
“In the last fortnight, I held five or six meetings both online and in person with senior management in Bus Éireann and the parents themselves to find a solution.
“It became clear in the course of these meetings that we were nearing a solution and I was delighted to be able to confirm to the parents that a contractor has been appointed.
“Some minor details are now being ironed out but I fully expect this route to be up and running very soon.
“It’s important that next year, the procurement process for getting drivers to fulfil routes begins earlier and I will be engaging with Minister Norma Foley on this.
“I’m again calling on Bus Éireann to revisit the rule whereby drivers over the age of 70 are not allowed to drive services to and from schools, but are allowed to fulfil other contracts during the working day.
“It is illogical that a driver can bring children to a hurling match of swimming lessons – but not to school because of a ridiculous and unworkable rule.”
-ENDS-
