Secondary school busses to run at 50 per cent of capacity

SCHOOL busses for second level students will now operate at just 50 per cent of capacity.

The Department of Education has shelved plans to run those services at full capacity,

the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) made a recommendation to the government on the matter earlier in the week.

The Department of Education is in discussion with Bus Éireann ‘in order to implement measures so that any services that can operate from the start of the school year at 50 per cent capacity will do so.’

“Over the coming period all other post-primary transport services will be re-organised and additional services will be provided as required,” the Department said.

NPHET advised that secondary school students on school transport should adhere to the same levels of strict distancing that are in place on public transport.

Initially, it had been planned to operate school busses as normal, but with students having to wear face coverings while in transit.

The 50 per cent limit does not apply to busses catering for primary school children and the Department says it will issue a further update in the coming days.