Online school transport system a ‘total shambles’

Bus Éireann’s online school transport system has been described as a "total shambles" after technical difficulties caused trouble for parents trying to buy tickets.

With just a week to go before parents must pay for next term and guarantee seats for their children, the Department of Education said last night that online payment levels are being monitored and the situation will be reviewed closer to next Friday’s deadline.

The bus company introduced changes this year to its online facility for families to pay for school bus tickets, but recent technical problems left parents frustrated. The trouble was compounded when they could not get through by phone for days to some regional school transport offices listed on the website.