Age cap raised for school bus drivers on trial basis

An easing of age restrictions on school bus drivers, which was seriously impacting the delivery of the service throughout rural Ireland, is based on ‘common sense’, according to Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney.

Currently, drivers of school buses must retire when they reach their 70th birthday, which has led to a severe shortage of drivers on many rural routes throughout the country.

However, changes announced by Government will extend this limit up until the age of 72, with the new measures coming into force on a two-year trial basis from this September.

The rule will only apply to small public service vehicles, buses carrying no more than eight passengers, and is the result of a review by Bus Éireann and the departments of Education and Transport into the contentious age cap.

New legislation

Welcoming the new legislation, Transport Minister Sean Canney says the challenge faced by a shortage of school bus drivers had informed the decision to review the age cap.

“This is a practical, sensible step that will help ensure continuity of school transport services, particularly in rural areas where driver availability has become a real challenge,” he says.

“We need to be realistic about the pressures on the system. Experienced drivers are the backbone of school transport in many communities, and it makes sense to retain that experience where it is safe to do so.”

Older bus drivers, aged between 70 and 72 must undergo medical fitness checks every six months to strengthen Bus Éireann’s existing requirements and to further ensure the safe passage of children availing of the service.

The extension will apply to smaller vehicles and will be closely monitored over the two-year trial period. A full review will be carried out before any decision is made on longer-term changes.

“This is about keeping services running for families who rely on them every day,” adds Minister Canney.

“We are taking a measured approach – trialling the change, monitoring it carefully, and making decisions based on evidence.”