New Pick-Up Point For Midlands Students Sparks "Grave Concerns"

Thursday, 5 October 2023 16:15

Three local schools will be affected by the move.

"Grave concerns" have been raised over a decision to introduce a new pick-up point for students in the midlands.

Parents received an email detailing the move, which would see secondary school students picked up by buses at Athlone Town Stadium, instead of on the Retreat Road.

The students impacted by this change will be those attending Athlone Community College, Marist College and Our Lady's Bower Secondary School.

In an email to parents, Principal of Our Lady's Bower, Anne Beades, says she has "grave concerns" about the new arrangement, which would see hundreds of pupils congregate unsupervised outside of school grounds.

She also highlighted the health and safety risks of the girls in her school cross the Greenway to reach the new pick-up point.

Ms. Beades is urging parents to assist in having the move averted.

In a statement to Midlands 103, Bus Éireann says the new location is a "safe evening pick-up point," and will be used in the next number of weeks.

It notes the operation of school transport has increased significantly due to high volumes of passengers and vehicles in the locality, and it will continue to liaise with schools about these changes.

A spokesperson for the company says:

"Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school.

Safety is a core value for Bus Éireann and is our first priority in all operations.

Our local school transport office in Athlone continually review the operation of school transport services in the area and actively monitor and improve service performance with safety being the key priority.

The operation of school transport for three local schools in Athlone has significantly increased due to high volumes of passengers and vehicles in the school locality.

We have been liaising with Westmeath County Council in relation to identifying a new safe evening pick up point for pupils of these three local schools.

We have sourced a new location, which will commence operation in the next number of weeks.

The Bus Éireann local school transport office will continue to engage with schools in the area and parents in relation to proposed changes to the current operation of school transport services."