Additional school transport sought for Woodland NS pupils - Donegal News

ADDITIONAL school transport is being sought for pupils of Woodland National School.

Donegal County Council will now write to Bus Éireann on the issue after it was claimed that pupils in the Glebe area of Letterkenny are experiencing issues with access to transport.

The topic was raised at the September meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District (MD).

Fine Gael councillor Jimmy Kavanagh brought a motion asking: “That the Council write to Bus Eireann requesting an additional school transport route from the Glebe area to Woodlands NS.”

In outlining the motion, Cllr Kavanagh said he had been contacted by parents who raised concerns over the pick-up and drop-off points on the current route.

“I have been contacted by parents in the Glebe area who have purchased Bus Éireann school transport tickets for the year to attend Woodland National School,” he said. “But the closest drop off is too far and unsafe for young children to walk to and walk back from.”

“There are a number of parents in this location and they have contacted Donegal School Transport and they have been told by Bus Éireann that there’s nothing they can do. So parents have found themselves that despite having already paid €100 for bus tickets, they have to use a private service or drive themselves.”

Cllr Kavanagh expressed that an extra route could alleviate the pressure on parents and take some cars off the busy road.

The motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Ciaran Brogan.

“There is a gap between parents and Bus Éireann. Like many organisations, it’s very hard to get to speak with somebody,” he said. “I think the public services need to be more available.”

He also called for a meeting with Bus Éireann to discuss the traffic situation in Letterkenny.

As the motion was passed, Cllr Kavanagh was informed that arrangements will be made by the council to write to Bus Éireann.

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