Cllrs demand review of school transport system

Parents in Mullahoran and Kilnaleck are threatening a further protest this week after 15 families in the area lost out on bus seats to secondary schools in Cavan Town this year.

The students impacted have ‘concessionary’ status on the current system and have missed out due to the ‘nearest school rule’ and a lack of capacity on existing buses.

While the situation is impacting families across Co Cavan, it is particularly serious in the Mullahoran/Kilnaleck area where parents of around 18 children impacted were informed by Bus Éireann that there were no seats available and refunds were subsequently issued.

During this week’s monthly meeting of Cavan County Council members, Cllr Noel Connell (SF) and Cllr Philip Brady (FF) both brought forward notices of motion calling for bus capacity to be increased and the necessity for a review of the school bus ticket programme.

Cllr Brady described the last few weeks in his local electoral area as “hard” because of the issue. “Mullahoran has been the most negatively impacted in this county by the issue,” he said.

“Many people simply have no other way of getting their children to school. The system has to change, it needs to change radically. This concessionary bus ticket system is not working,” he continued.

“How is it that the Department of Education and Bus Éireann cannot come together, look at the numbers and provide buses accordingly so that children in the Mullahoran area can get to school?”

Cllr Connell also said families had been in touch with him over the issue. “I’m disappointed by the lack of progress. It’s time to move forward and provide real solutions on this. Far too many children are being left behind,” he said.

“It’s the same issue that arises every single year leaving many people paying privately to have their children taken to school. I am asking Cavan County Council to write to the Department of Education and indicate that what is going on is no longer acceptable.”

Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) highlighted the stress the issue was causing families in Kilnaleck. “It’s a calamity,” he said.

“This is happening every single year and there is no doubt that better communication with Bus Éireann is required.”

Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) told those gathered that he attended a protest by parents and children in Mullahoran at Killydoon earlier this month and indicated that the bus ticket saga “has been going on for 12 years”.

The Ballinagh representative is hopeful of a resolution to the Mullahoran situation shortly.

“There does appear to be some white smoke coming and I do believe it will get sorted but it’s an issue that has been going on for the last 12 years. This year was particularly bad,” said Cllr Bennett.

“It is a disgrace! I am hopeful that we will see common sense prevail,” he added.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) then highlighted how “the same thing has happened in Belturbet and Butlersbridge”.

“It’s not acceptable and it needs to get sorted,” he continued. “I know of one family where three siblings use the bus and yet this year two got tickets and the third sibling didn’t - honestly, it is just ridiculous.”

In conclusion, Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF) added: “The only way to sort this out is to put on enough buses to bring children to school. This issue is not specific to Co Cavan, it is happening all over the country and everyone is fighting to get buses on the road to bring their children to school.”