Tipperary TD renews call to allow school bus drivers stay working after they hit 70 years

As pupils settled into another school year, the now annual debacle with school transport once again caused frustration and anger to parents across Tipperary and the rest of the country, according to Tipperary TD Michael Lowry.

"I fully understand the exasperation of parents who have to battle to get a school bus ticket, but I equally understand the anger of school bus transport providers who are forbidden from allowing professional bus drivers over 70 years of age to drive a school bus. This is a significant contributor to the under-provision of school transport every year," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that these drivers had provided an invaluable service and had been the heartbeat of Bus Éireann school transport.

"An unsettling issue has continued for several years with Bus Eireann having a mandatory retirement age of 70 for these drivers. It is bewildering that, while drivers for other public transport services are allowed to continue their service beyond the age of 70, Bus Éireann school transport drivers face this illogical age limit," said the Independent TD.

He pointed out that there was a shortage of younger drivers and that one of the key issues was that many younger people were prevented from acquiring a D or D1 licence, largely due to the substantial costs associated with doing so.

"The result is that we have a significant shortage of school bus drivers, which has been exasperated by the introduction of new and temporary routes at the commencement of each term to accommodate our growing number of students requiring transport services.

"I strongly believe that as long as a bus driver remains fit to drive, undergoes the annual professional CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) and passes an annual medical certificate of fitness as required, there should be no age-related barrier preventing them from serving their communities," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that in February 2022, Minister Hildegarde Naughton extended the age at which applicants for any driving licence must supply a medical report from 70 to 75, acknowledging the safe driving abilities of individuals over 70, provided they meet the necessary health criteria.

"If a similar extension of this age limit to 75 was introduced for Bus Éireann school transport services, it would have an immediate impact on the provision of this vital service when one considers that school bus drivers are often men and women who have retired from full-time work and are happy to take up the part-time demand of driving a school bus to remain active and supplement their incomes," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that it made no sense whatsoever to insist that they retire and this was particularly frustrating given that bus drivers over 70 years of age can continue to work in private bus hire, including driving passengers on overseas trips. Ironically, they can also work for State bodies such as the NTA,TFI and Local Link.

"I have raised this matter on a number of occasions both in the Dáil and with the Minister and I will continue to do so until the value of these experienced, reliable and willing drivers is acknowledged," he said.