Local election candidate calls on parents to lobby for Delvin-Mullingar school bus route

A local election candidate has called on parents in the Delvin area to lobby for a pilot school bus service to Mullingar.

Delvin's David Jones, one of Sinn Féin's candidate in the Kinnegad LEA, is championing the cause for better school transport services for the families of Delvin. In his recent appeal, Jones has urged parents in the community to come together and email the Minister for Education to advocate for the establishment of a pilot school bus route from Delvin to Mullingar under the new relaxed measures which will be released on a pilot basis.

Currently, over 50 children from Delvin and surrounding towns are commuting to multiple schools in Mullingar, relying on a private bus service that can cost each family between €30 to €35 per child. Recognising the financial burden on parents and the necessity for a public school bus service, David Jones says that something needs to be done.

In his statement, Jones highlighted the importance of community action: "As we've seen from the prolonged review of the School Transport Scheme, change can be slow – with the minister indicating that updated criteria could take up to six years or more to implement. However, the introduction of pilot routes in selected areas gives us an opportunity to push for Delvin to be added to this pilot route programme. I urge all parents and guardians to join this initiative by contacting the minister to show the real demand for this service in Delvin."

Parents interested in supporting this campaign are encouraged to contact David Jones at davidjsinnfein@gmail.com to receive a pre-formatted email template addressed to the minister responsible for school transport. This template will assist in articulating the community's need for a dedicated public school bus route and emphasise the urgency of the situation.

Mr Jones says he is "committed to alleviating the transportation challenges faced by Delvin families and is confident that with collective effort, a pilot route can become a reality, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective school transport for the children of the community".

"Let's keep the pressure on and ensure that our voices are heard," Jones concludes.