School buses

dafunk

Would school buses be such a bad idea in Galway (and every city)? I'm sure everyone noticed how easy it was to get in and out of work last week with all the kids on school term. I was really aware of it this morning, the roads were packed, parents were double parking all over the place, causing complete havoc. I'm not implying it's their fault, there isn't sufficient places to pull in at a lot of the schools but I'm sure parents would be willing to pay a few quid a week to give themselves more flexibility with their own working time and the schools could geenrate a little money or at least a driver could generate a little money. A couple of minibuses running from the suburbs or where the majority of the kids are living would ease the congestion. Can anyone think of why we don't do this in Ireland? Would parents feel uneasy letting their kids go on a bus? I also wonder if the majority of kids are getting driven from a half a mile down the road instead of walking.

PopeBuckfastXVI

What sort of pinko socialism is this!? Sure you couldn't let precious Saoirse and Bróga go on a filthy disease ridden bus could you? The driver is probably a paedophile, and would abduct them given half a chance. No the only place for them is in the back of mumsies range rover, thank you very much.

snubbleste

Why stop there? Why not have work buses and shop buses as well? The majority of cars that I see every morning are single occupancy, it's not really going to change.

dilallio

A Monorail is the only way to go...

PopeBuckfastXVI

dilallio wrote: »

A Monorail is the only way to go...

I swear it's Galway's only choice, throw up your hands and raise your voice...

Robbo

Is there a chance the track could bend?

dolphin city

yes there seems to be an unwritten rule in Ireland that it has to be one kid per SUV going to school - even if they car-pooled it would make life easier for everyone but no, each child is precious and has to be personally delivered to the front gate of school in their own vehicle. It's a wonder they don't carry them from the gates to their desks. :D School buses seem to work in every other country tho.

Xiney

From the perspective of someone who grew up taking a yellow school bus in Canada, they're a really good idea. I think it's one of the most stupid aspects of this country that there aren't dedicated buses to bring kids from one area directly to school.

Besides the traffic, there's also the fact that dropping off/picking up the kids from school is time that the parents could really use to maybe go grocery shopping for ingredients for a real, healthy dinner instead of picking up some frozen breaded chicken shapes and oven chips.

apoeiguq3094y

Robbo wrote: »

Is there a chance the track could bend?

Not on your life, my Hindu friend

Are you talking about primary or secondary school children?

There are buses for secondary school children coming from around the outskirts of Galway. There are regular buses for children travelling within the city.

(I grew up in the country and got a lift each morning from my neighbour for primary school and took a school bus into town for secondary)

snubbleste

Xiney wrote: »

From the perspective of someone who grew up taking a yellow school bus in Canada, they're a really good idea. I think it's one of the most stupid aspects of this country that there aren't dedicated buses to bring kids from one area directly to school.

These buses do exist but only in rural areas. Townies have the use of scheduled buses.

Mrs OBumble

snubbleste wrote: »

Why stop there? Why not have work buses and shop buses as well? The majority of cars that I see every morning are single occupancy, it's not really going to change.

There are buses that run from the city and Seacrest/Knocknacarra to Ballybrit and Parkmore Industrial. The drivers call 'em "factory runs".

And at Christmas there was there's a Park-n-ride from Ballybrit to the city for shoppers, last year with a connecting shuttle from the new bus station to GSC.

Mrs OBumble

snubbleste wrote: »

These buses do exist but only in rural areas. Townies have the use of scheduled buses.

What's the definition of rural? I sometimes see buses in the Salthill area labelled "school bus".

And I'm sure I read a while back about the bus to Educate Together in Kilcolgan being extended to take in Oranmore at the request of parents.

JustMary

JustMary wrote: »

What's the definition of rural? I sometimes see buses in the Salthill area labelled "school bus".

And I'm sure I read a while back about the bus to Educate Together in Kilcolgan being extended to take in Oranmore at the request of parents.

There is a catchment area for school buses - Claregalway and just beyond falls into Galway - the buses would then drive into town and do drop offs at Moneen, Eyre Square, Marys, Taylors etc - it could be these buses you see.

Das Kitty

JustMary wrote: »

There are buses that run from the city and Seacrest/Knocknacarra to Ballybrit and Parkmore Industrial. The drivers call 'em "factory runs".

The utter ****ness of that service is the reason I learned to drive. For the 3rd time in a week the bus failed to show so I rang an instructor and made an appointment. Not to mention that it takes at least 45 minutes to get to town and can take near an hour and a half to get to secreast. And that's not even counting walking time to and from the stop.

School buses would only work if they're done right, something we always fail at in this country. No fecking way would I get my primary school child to get a bus home if it was as pathetic a "service" as the work bus I used to have to rely on.

Can we lay off the parent bashing please? Very few parents are as precious as described above.

Mrs OBumble

;-) re the buses.

The services from the station are a lot better, but I think that's cos the passengers all have to wait outside the inspectors office, so can glare at the drivers until their bus turns up.