School transport system leaving Kilkenny students behind

Local Green Party councillor, Maria Dollard, claims the current School Transport Scheme is 'not fit for purpose' and has called for a review into the scheme to be published.

"Minister Norma Foley needs to publish the details of the review into the 'School Transport Scheme' which began in early 2021," Cllr Dollard said.

"We need this report to examine eligibility, costs, environmental impact and the overall effectiveness of the system. I have been contacted by many parents disappointed with the current system and I can’t answer some of their questions. I am completely at a loss why we allow students to accept seats on buses but then rarely use them," she added.

"I understood this was an urgent review but the word 'urgent' seems to have lost its meaning. I am calling on Minister Foley to publish the report without delay."

"In August and September, school transport was the single biggest issue that people raised with me. Unworkable and frankly ridiculous rules around distance from schools, as experienced by parents in Gowran are beyond a joke," she commented, adding, "with the new CBS school coming online we also need a city school bus system that ensures city kids who for whatever reason can’t walk or cycle to their school can get to school without parents having to drive them right to the door.

"As every sector now has emission targets to meet, I believe there is a real opportunity to create a school transport system which serves families and plays a role in cutting our emissions," Cllr Dollard concluded.