Calls for Delvin/Mullingar school bus pilot scheme

Cllr David Jones is urging Minister for Education Helen McEntee to implement a public secondary school bus pilot scheme from Delvin to Mullingar for the 2025/26 school year.

He said families in Delvin report spending more than €900 per year per student on private bus services, while Bus Éireann users benefit from a significantly lower fare of €75. Cllr Jones said that 50-plus students currently travel to secondary schools in Mullingar on private buses, highlighting an urgent need for a more affordable and accessible solution.

The School Transport 2030 report published last year by the Dept of Education outlines changes that could address the issue, he pointed out, notably that it proposes establishing new routes where at least 10 students require transport, eliminating the ‘nearest school’ criteria, and introducing a Remote Area Grant for eligible students.

Cllr Jones believes that such measures could be pivotal for families facing high transport costs.

"Given the current circumstances, I implore Minister Foley to consider the route from Delvin to Mullingar as a pilot scheme," said Cllr Jones.

"That would ease the financial strain on parents, and provide essential transport for the more than 50 students attending multiple secondary schools in Mullingar."

Cllr Jones is encouraging all concerned parents to voice their support for this proposal directly to Minister Foley and to the Dept of Education.

To discuss his proposal, contact Cllr Jones at David.Jones@westmeathcoco.ie.