School transport services at risk after Easter over fuel price surge, operator warns

Bus company warns of disruption to school services without urgent Government support. File picture

School and essential transport services across Ireland may face disruption after Easter without urgent Government intervention, according to one of the country’s largest coach companies.

The Dublin-based operator, which runs a fleet of more than 75 school transport and Local Link route buses, said fuel price hikes are putting “severe and unsustainable pressure” on operators nationwide.

It also said the benefits of the Government’s decision last week to cut excise duty on diesel by 20c per litre and on petrol by 15c until the end of May have been “effectively wiped out” by further fuel price increases in recent days.

This, the company said, is leaving operators exposed to "significant and immediate cost increases”.

The comments come as Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently warned the supply “shock” and oil price rises are “probably the worst ever, much more severe than even the 1970s supply shock”.

Speaking in Poland, where the government has introduced fuel price limits, he also urged people to use energy as “wisely as possible”.

Mr Martin ruled out fuel price caps in Ireland, saying the Government — which slashed petrol taxes and levies last week — needed to “be cautious in terms of how we intervene”.

The company said that while much of the national focus has been on the haulage sector, bus operators are facing the same cost pressures while continuing to deliver vital daily services for communities, businesses, and schools.

Nolan Coaches also highlighted that many operators are tied into fixed-rate public service and school transport contracts, leaving little flexibility to respond to rapid and sustained increases in fuel costs.

The company is calling on the Government to introduce immediate and targeted support, including enhanced fuel rebates and the introduction of fuel cost adjustment mechanisms within public service and school transport contracts.

Nolan Coaches CEO Garrett O'Toole said: “The supports brought in are now completely wiped out by the speed of fuel price increases.

“We are now facing an additional fuel bill of over €250,000 per year, which is simply not sustainable for any operator.”

While confirming that all services are currently operating as normal, Nolan Coaches said it remains “fully committed” to continuing its school transport, Local Link, and other essential services across the communities it serves.

He added: “We will continue to do everything we can to operate our services and support our customers.

“However, this is not just a Nolan Coaches issue — this is an industry-wide problem affecting operators right across the country.

“If nothing is done, there is a real risk that school and essential transport services across the country may not return after Easter.

“We are committed to playing our part, but operators need meaningful support to ensure these services remain viable.

“We are moving thousands of people every day — including schoolchildren and key workers — yet our sector is not getting the recognition or level of support it requires.

“That needs to change, and it needs to change quickly.”