LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

SCHOOL TRANSPORT FEES have been doubled for primary school children.

Transport fees for post-primary school children meanwhile have increased by a third.

Bus Éireann operates the school transport service on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, which funds the scheme.

For the current 2025-26 school year, transport fees for primary school children are €50, and €75 for post-primary school children.

Meanwhile, the maximum family contribution is €125.

However, for the upcoming 2026-27 school year, school transport fees for primary school children have doubled to €100, while the cost for post-primary school children has increased to €100.

Meanwhile, the maximum payment for primary school families is now €200, and the maximum family payment is €220, a €95 increase.

Children are eligible for school transport at primary school level if they live at least 3.2 km from their nearest national school, as determined by the Department and Bus Éireann.

At post-primary level, children are eligible if they live at least 4.8 km from their nearest post-primary school or education centre.

Any spare seats that might be available after eligible children have been given their seats are then given to children who don’t meet the above criteria.

The portal for school transport applications and payments opened today and will close on Friday, 8 May.

School transport is free for children with a valid medical card and for children with special educational needs.

Meanwhile, the Bus Éireann family portal will close temporarily from 8 May until 1 July, which Bus Éireann said will give it time to plan for the new school year.

Bus Éireann has been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, Bus Éireann today announced it has increased the age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles for the School Transport Scheme.

The upper age limit will be increased from 70 to 72 for a trial period.

Small public service vehicles have a maximum of eight seats and this change does not apply to mini, medium, or large vehicles.

Bus Éireann said the decision follows “extensive research, stakeholder engagement and a thorough safety review”.

The trial period will run for two years, starting from the new school year in September and ending at the conclusion of the 2027/2028 school year in June 2028.

Enhanced safety measures will be implemented whereby drivers over 70 are required to undertake an additional six-month medical fitness assessment.

A spokesperson said the revised policy is “grounded in Bus Éireann’s adherence to the best safety interests of its customers, including young children, drivers, and other road users”.

The spokesperson added that the policy change will remain “under continuous review throughout the two-year trial period”, with a further evaluation conducted at its conclusion to determine whether the extended age limit should be maintained.