Green Limerick: Pupils have busy day out with Bus Éireann

STUDENTS from three city schools took part in An Taisce's Green-Schools Travel ‘Bus in the City’ event.

The unique interactive workshop took place on March 21. It is delivered in partnership with Bus Eireann and is a focused intervention designed to promote public transport for schools located on existing public transport networks.

The event also aimed to support students from special schools who will soon be transitioning to independent transport modes beyond post-primary.

A spokesperson for Bus Eireann commented: “Our vision is to be recognised as global leaders in sustainable public transport, doubling passenger journeys through new services, excellence in operations and customer experience, and driving our transition to net zero. Bus Éireann is committed to the provision of a fully accessible public transport system incorporating fully accessible vehicles and infrastructure.”

Over 100 students from St Patrick’s GNS, St Patrick’s BNS and Catherine McAuley in the city took part in the event. For many, this was their first time on a real city bus.

As part of this event, Bus Eireann provided use of a new electric double-decker bus to transport students along a fixed route which incorporated a visit to the garda station and Bus Eireann bus depot.

Green-Schools Travel delivered talks on the environmental benefits of public transport and Bus Eireann guided students through lifelong learning experiences such as how to purchase a ticket, ask for assistance etc.

Students were also offered the opportunity to interview the bus inspector about public bus services.

Community gardai also boarded the bus on Henry Street to speak to students about stranger danger and answer any questions they may have.

“Thank so much for organising such a fun and informative day today for the students. They loved it,” Julie Hogan, Green-Schools coordinator at St Patrick’s BNS said.

“What an amazing adventure our second class had today. We prepared special VIP tickets in class so we could travel all around Limerick city in a brand new, all-electric double-decker bus driven by Dermot (Bus Eireann) and guided by Bus Eireann conductor Nigel,” Antoinette McNamara, Green-Schools coordinator, at St Patrick’s GNS said.

READ MORE: Green Limerick: Limerick as a climate leader

As part of the event, 20 students from Catherine McAuley School disembarked at the station to explore the new Bus Station in Limerick city.

Students gauged the cost of tickets to various destinations using the Bus Eireann ticket machines, explored information services (real-time displays, timetables, information desk) and how to identify the correct bus bay.

“Sustainable travel education is essential for the successful uptake of sustainable transport options. Green-Schools Travel piloted this event in 2013 with Limerick city schools where it became a hugely popular event up to 2019 owing to the pandemic,” Ellen O'Sullivan, Green-Schools Travel officer said.