Longford should be used as pilot for complete overhaul of School Transport system

Longford should be used as a pilot area for a complete overhaul of the School Transport system, one local elected representative has said.

A notice of motions submitted by Cllr Garry Murtagh (pictured) at the April meeting of the local authority called on Longford County Council to write to the Minister of Education Norma Foley about the issue.
“I welcome and thank the Minister for the much-needed review and report on the School Transport system, but I feel the timeline indicated to implement the recommendations is slow moving,” he said at the meeting.
Cllr Murtagh suggested Longford be used as a pilot programme, due to the county's geographical size, the size of population and the fact it was “a rural county”.

He said this is the next step on from the minister's review and report on the School Transport system: “In fairness to the Minister she did open the portal to allow people to express concerns about the service,” Cllr Murtahg said.
He went on to say: “Sufficient funds are needed to support the logistics necessary to provide transport to every child as outlined in the report. I invite the Minister and her officials to meet with the elected representatives of county Longford to address the issues on the ground and discuss adequate solutions for the same,” he said.

Cllr Murtagh continued: “There were a lot of promises in the report, my fear is that in rural areas like North Longford we will just end up with the same issues again, too many bums and not enough seats. We could address these issues on the ground.”
Cllr Gerry Hagan added: “It's a very timely motion. We are at the point where arrangements are being made for next year.”
Councillors were in unanimous agreement to write to Minister Foley on the issue.