With two weeks to go until the return to secondary school, pupils from Emo and The Rock have received some upsetting news.
Bus Eireann School Transport division notified four families who had had bus seats last year that they would not be issued with bus tickets for the coming year.
The families had applied and paid the fees on time, but Bus Eireann has told them that the bus is full.
In actual fact, the problem is that the bus is smaller than last year’s. The provision of a bigger bus is the solution.
The Parents Group were made to fight an arduous campaign last year to get students from Emo and The Rock to Mountmellick Community School.
The re-instated Parents Group are devastated that parents who had seats last year – are now left stranded in getting their children to school in two weeks time.
Parents have made contact with Laois TD, Seán Fleming for his help with this urgent matter.
Deputy Fleming played a significant role in the final stages of securing the bus last year.
Families should not have to go through this worry and torment at the beginning of each school year.
The government commenced a review to the school transport system in February 2021, yet this review and necessary improvements are still pending.
