Limerick students left without tickets despite reinstatement of school bus service

A SCHOOL bus which is serving the Shannagolden and Foynes area “is not big enough” to carry all students looking for a ticket, according to a Limerick mother.

The 33-seater school bus brings students in the west Limerick communities to and from Salesians Secondary College in Pallaskenry.

The service was previously out of commission but has now been reinstated with the larger 33-seater bus now being used.

The bus is currently bringing a number of eligible and concessionary students to and from the school.

According to the Limerick mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, none of the concessionary students received tickets when the service was reinstated.

However, Bus Éireann says this isn't the case and that the 33-seater bus is at full capacity.

“Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education. The school bus service to Salesian Secondary College is at full capacity, with no additional spaces available on this service,” a spokesperson for Bus Éireann said.

Approximately 37 students were seeking a bus ticket, meaning four students had to find other ways of accessing transport to the Pallaskenry school, which is a 20-minute drive from both communities.

Bus Éireann says it’s aware that a number of additional concessionary students were seeking tickets at the beginning of the school year but these have now been “refunded”.

According to the Limerick mother, commuting to and from the school every day is a big ask for parents when there should be a “bus service in operation” for all students.

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“The bus is back now, it’s bigger than the one previously so it can cater for more students, but it still can’t cater for all the students,” she said.

“Those people who didn’t get a ticket weren’t looking for refunds, they would have much rather have their money in the system and be able to get a ticket and sit on the bus instead of now looking for a ticket on the school bus again,” she added.

Bus Éireann has stated that all students who did not receive a ticket for the rest of this school year are able to apply for a ticket for the coming school year.