Students travelling from Moycullen, Roscahill and Oughterard areas have been left 'high and dry' by Bus Éireann says local Senator Seán Kyne.
Describing the lack of bus services as having 'failed pupils and parents', Senator Kyne says the situation has left the those affected 'high and dry'.
“Some pupils in the Moycullen, Roscahill and Oughterard areas, going to St. Pauls Secondary School, Oughterard and Educate Together in Galway have been left high and dry by Bus Éireann. Disruptions to services were flagged in October last and months later no service has been provided.
“While some issues were outside of Bus Éireann control, they have failed to provide alternatives for frustrated parents and their children."
“Bus Éireann management must get to grips with these problems and provide alternatives. It seems now that Bus Éireann are hoping to coast to the end of term with no alternative buses or drivers,” said Kyne.
“I have contacted the West Region School Transport manager to request a meeting with Oireachtas members and Councillors to get action on this situation” concluded Senator Kyne.
In response to Senator Kyne's statement, Bus Éireann issued a statement saying that the circumstances surrounding service is down to driver shortages, an issue 'being experienced in many sectors of the economy throughout the country'.
"Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education. While school transport services are operating nationwide for over 99 per cent of pupils, a school transport service in the Oughterard area of Co Galway is not operating since October 18, 2023 as we do not have a contractor to operate the service at present. This is against a backdrop of driver shortages being experienced in many sectors of the economy throughout the country.
"This service is not cancelled, and the local school transport team is continuing to engage with local bus operators to try and secure a transport solution.
"Bus Éireann wishes to apologise to families affected and fully understands the importance of school transport services for the pupils and parents who depend on our services in the Oughterard area. We are very disappointed about the situation and understand the impact it is having on the local families who depend on our services daily.
"The local school transport team is actively working on a number of plans to re-instate this service and will continue to engage with families involved. An update will be provided to families once school transport becomes available."
