It’s a victory for parents after their well-documented concerns around a lack of transport for incoming Year 8 pupils attending St Patrick’s College in Banbridge have been heard – and addressed!
The Education Authority (EA) confirmed it will now provide direct transport from Gilford, Laurencetown, and Poyntzpass – something it had failed to do after stating a private school bus, which had been operating the route, was “at full capacity”, leaving many of the incumbent pupils and their parents scrambling for a solution.
The change comes following weeks of pressure from concerned parents, who raised safety fears over proposals for new pupils to use public buses that would drop them nearly a mile away from the school.
Parents were particularly alarmed at the lack of a patrolled crossing on the busy Scarva Road and expressed concerns about young children navigating rush-hour traffic unsupervised.
Sinn Féin MLA for Upper Bann, John O’Dowd, welcomed the development from the EA, who have brought on board Agnew’s Private Operator services.
“This change addresses the concerns raised by local parents who were understandably worried about their children having to walk almost a mile from the Banbridge bus station to the school,” explained Mr O’Dowd.
“The new arrangements will ensure safer, more direct travel to the school gates.”
Concerns had first surfaced after a private bus route serving rural areas was reported to be full, leaving children facing early-morning public bus services and lengthy walks from Banbridge Bus Station.
One mother previously told Armagh I that the situation had left parents scrambling for safer options, particularly given road safety concerns.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Savage, who had been liaising directly with the school principal and EA officials, also welcomed the improvements for older students.
“I am pleased that pupils in Years 9 to 12 will continue to benefit from the existing arrangements, and that those entering Year 13 will now have Translink services extended to drop them directly at the school, rather than at the bus station,” he said.
“These practical changes will ease pressure on families and ensure a smoother and safer journey for pupils.”
Related: Private school bus at ‘full capacity’ sparks concern for Year 8 pupils in Banbridge
Upper Bann Alliance MLA, Eoin Tennyson, commented: “I welcome news that the Education Authority has confirmed all Year 8 pupils travelling from the Gilford and Laurencetown areas into St Patrick’s College, Banbridge will be able to avail of the direct Agnews bus services to the school, and that the Translink route will be updated to include a stop at the school.
“This is a common sense decision for the youngest pupils starting secondary school and will come as a relief to their parents who had expressed concerns about the EA’s previous plan for Year 8 students to take a Translink service to Banbridge Bus Station, a long walk from school.
“I want to thank parents for their efforts in securing this change, and also extend my gratitude to the Education Authority and Translink for working with the school and political representatives to get these changes put in place. I wish all those new Year 8 pupils all the very best as they make their move into secondary school.”
