School Transport
3 September Update on School Transport Scheme
It can be hard to get through to School Transport Offices at the moment as it is an extremely busy time of year with large volumes of calls and emails. We understand it can be an anxious time and hope the following information is helpful.
- Post-primary school transport is operating at 50% capacity at the moment. Further information about school transport guidelines is available on the Department of Education website. Please note these measures will be kept subject to review.
- You will receive a direct contact from Bus Éireann as soon as the status of your application is confirmed, whether a place is available or not, normally by email. We are currently processing the final 2% of valid, paid on time applications. If you have not heard from us, we are still working to find solutions.
- In the interest of ensuring safety for all children travelling on school transport services, if you have not received a ticket or an emailed confirmation of a place, your child should not present for travel.
- If you applied after the payment deadline, you will have already been advised that your application is late and that a seat cannot be guaranteed for the new school year. We are currently prioritising the final remaining valid, paid on time applications and we will be in contact with you when this process is complete.
- If you have received a ticket and have an operational query in relation to your route, please email your local office. We are allocating additional resources in order to respond to your email as soon as possible.
We apologise for any delays encountered to date.
COVID-19 Notice for School Transport Users and Operators
To ensure a timely response to your query, we are asking all customers and operators to contact your local School Transport office by email, until further notice.
The contact details are:
| County of School | School Transport Office | Email address |
|---|---|---|
| Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath |
Bus Éireann Athlone School Transport Office | st.athlone@buseireann.ie |
| Mayo | Bus Éireann Ballina School Transport Office | st.ballina@buseireann.ie |
| Cork | Bus Éireann Cork School Transport Office | st.cork@buseireann.ie |
| Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow | Bus Éireann Dublin School Transport Office | st.dublin@buseireann.ie |
| Cavan, Louth, Monaghan | Bus Éireann Dundalk School Transport Office | st.dundalk@buseireann.ie |
| Galway | Bus Éireann Galway School Transport Office | st.galway@buseireann.ie |
| Clare, Limerick, Tipperary (North) | Bus Éireann Limerick School Transport Office | st.limerick@buseireann.ie |
| Leitrim, Sligo | Bus Éireann Sligo School Transport Office | st.sligo@buseireann.ie |
| Donegal | Bus Éireann Stranorlar School Transport | st.stranorlar@buseireann.ie |
| Kerry | Bus Éireann Tralee School Transport Office | st.tralee@buseireann.ie |
| Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary (South), Waterford, Wexford |
Bus Éireann Waterford School Transport Office | st.waterford@buseireann.ie |
The School Transport Scheme supports transport to and from school for children who reside remote from their nearest school. The scheme is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
Applications for the School Year 2020/21 must be made by the last Friday in April.
Only new pupils need apply, for example pupils starting Primary school or moving to Post Primary School, or those who are changing home address or school.
Applications for pupils with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability should be made through The National Council for Special Education.
Details of all existing pupils who currently hold tickets are already recorded and the email address provided in the registration process previously is used to communicate with families in July when it is time to pay the school transport charges for the new school year.
Payment for school transport tickets may be made online between late June and the last Friday in July. Details of the closing date will be published soon.