Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2009
142 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if changes have been agreed with Bus Éireann relating to the tendering of school routes for the 2009-2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. This involves a range of activities in relation to school bus routes including planning of routes, tendering arrangements, and negotiation of contracts with private operators.
Each year, including this year, Bus Éireann placed general advertisements in the press inviting private operators who were interested in providing services under the school transport scheme to make application to their local Bus Eireann office. Following evaluation of the applications and an assessment of potential operators taking into account for example proximity to routes, size of bus, standard of vehicle documentation, a proportion of existing routes including taxi services and new work were opened to tender.
In view of the level of interest expressed by potential candidates and in the prevailing market conditions it was possible for Bus Éireann to renegotiate a significant number of contracts in addition to employing new operators in respect of the 2009/2010 school year.
