All schoolbuses meet safety requirements

IT IS both inaccurate and alarmist to claim that "most school buses remain outdated and unsafe," as attributed to Fine Gael in your report (Irish Examiner, November 9).

All school transport scheme buses, whether operated by Bus Éireann or by private contractors, comply fully with all relevant legislation and are covered by current certificates of roadworthiness. All the operating procedures of the scheme are similarly compliant with legislation.

The age of a bus has no bearing whatever on safety of operation. Safe operation of buses is ensured by rigorous inspection and maintenance procedures allied to professional driving standards, as practised by the staff of Bus Éireann and its contractors.