The annual scramble for school bus places is looming for many parents in Tipperary.
Local TD Michael Lowry has criticised the Government for not introducing reforms proposed in a Review of the School Transport Scheme quickly enough to save these students and their families the stress of losing their school transport.
The Thurles Deputy says some children across Tipperary continue to be left without a guaranteed means of getting to and from schools when they re-open.
“School transport continues to be a problem as we approach September. Despite promises for action by the Minister we have again this year a repeat of failures in the scheme.
“Many families across Tipperary cannot access the scheme and are being denied passes.
“The Minister committed to review and reform a transport system that is no longer fit for purpose – however there is no noticeable changes or improvement.”
Deputy Lowry and the members of the Regional Group of TD’s brought a motion before the Dáil at the beginning of this year calling on the Government to address this matter and ensure the School Transport Scheme remains a dependable and eco-friendly means of transportation for all students.
However the Thurles TD says this has not happened.
“Parents and students are again this year involved in a desperate struggle to get a place on the bus. The current scheme is bogged down in bureaucracy, anomalies, inconsistencies and widespread uncertainty. Dithering and lack of decisive decision making is causing many families prolonged stress and anxiety in a scramble to secure a bus pass.”
