Calls for School Transport Scheme to be readdressed [thecorknews.ie]
- Published: 28 October 2011
A Cork East TD has accused Bus Éireann of ‘living in the shadows’ when it comes to their commitment to the school transport system. This comes as the Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC), which represents bus companies operating under the School Transport Scheme, brought a complaint to the EU over the Department of Education’s allocation of contracts to Bus Éireann. The CTTC, which has eight Cork members claims this was in contravention of EU law as the state-owned operator did not have to tender for them.
Fine Gael Deputy Tom Barry said that he is aware of a number of bus drivers who had been operating on school routes for the last 28 years who were dismissed last summer. “They lost all their routes, something I couldn’t understand. Bus Éireann said it was due to a new tendering system by the EU, however, it’s for tenders greater than €380,000. Some of the contracts wouldn’t even be worth that over five years,” he said.
Deputy Barry added that up to 80% of work with the School Transport Scheme is subcontracted to private coach operators by Bus Éireann, which costs the state some €180 million a year. “It should go straight to private operators, there is no need for Bus Éireann. However, these people are hiding in the shadows of a highly charged situation. They are hiding behind a sense of arrogance,” he said.
Full Story: www.thecorknews.ie
