Success for school bus campaigners

There has been white smoke this week for the families of 18 students in south Cavan fighting for school bus tickets.

Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) confirmed that approval had been granted for additional bus capacity in the Mullahoran/Ballymachugh/Kilnaleck area so that local children can get to school in Cavan Town.

He told the Celt that he had received confirmation of the plan from the Department of Education and had asked Bus Éireann to accommodate impacted students as soon as possible.

This follows weeks of frustration for families in the area who were refused concessionary tickets under the current scheme some of whom had been travelling on the bus for years. Parents protested over the matter and threatened to walk their children the 15 miles or so to school if it wasn’t addressed.

Following consultation with Bus Eireann and the Department, news has emerged this week that one of the buses passing through Ballinagh will be upgraded to a bigger bus and will be allocated from Monday, September 23.

Some parents were contacted by Bus Eireann early this week to inform them that a solution had been found and tickets would issue once payment was complete. Other families are still awaiting confirmation.

The families had been supported in their campaign by all local TDs and councillors.

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