School transport appeals increase 500% in four years

THE number of appeals against decisions on school transport access has increased by more than 500% in just four years, according to Department of Education figures.

The 96 appeals heard this year to date — with five more due to be heard this month — is relatively small in the context of 125,000 children carried to school every day under the e180-million-a-year school transport scheme. But it compares to just 15 cases heard in 2007, and an average 30 per year from 2004 to 2006.

The cases considered so far this year by the School Transport Appeals Board related to bus and other travel arrangements to 60 schools.