Government to spend up to €135m on 1,600 school bus routes

As well as additional funding, it will mean a significant acquisition of additional vehicles, drivers and bus escorts will be required. 

The Government has agreed to spend between €87 million and €135 million to ensure 1,600 school bus routes can operate fully while maintaining 50% capacity on services.

Public health advice states that the post-primary bus scheme should run at 50% capacity, which government says has been the case "where possible" while Bus Eireann carries out an analysis of the resources required to fully implement the advice on all routes.