School Transport Applications – 2026/2027

The School Transport Scheme, operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, will open on Friday 27 March for applications and payments. The closing date for payments is Friday, 8 May 2026 and a full media campaign will begin shortly.

Ukraine/IPAS applications:

In order to fully integrate all pupils using mainstream school transport, all pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and all pupils residing in IPAS/EROC centres will be required to apply for mainstream school transport by the deadline date of 8 May also. This will mean that all families, living in accommodation centres, IPAS centres, modular homes, with host families, and living independently, should now apply on the Bus Éireann family portal. Failure to apply and pay or enter medical card details will mean that a ticket will not be offered.

Ticket Prices for 2026/2027:

A 2024 review of the School Transport Scheme found that having a fee helps use resources more effectively and prevents bus seats from going unused, helping to protect and sustain the scheme for all families who needs it. The review recommended that families using the mainstream scheme should contribute a fee to help protect and sustain the service for all who depend on it. The Government has announced that school transport ticket prices for 2026/27 school year are as follows:

Primary: €100 per child (maximum family charge €200)

Post-primary: €100 per child (maximum family charge €220)

This is equivalent to:

55c per day for primary school pupils

60c per day for post-primary‑ pupils

No family will pay more than €1.32c per day in total, regardless of how many children use the service. A facility to pay in instalments is now available to families.

School transport will continue to be free for:

All eligible families with a medical card, and

All eligible children using the Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport scheme

Further Information

Further information is available at:

Information for parents:

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/school-transport/#school-transport-scheme-services-for-the-20262027-school-year-important-dates

Information for Ukrainian and IPAS applicants

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/school-transport/#school-transport-scheme-services-for-ukrainian-families-and-families-in-the-international-protection-process-for-the-20262027-school-year

Bus Éireann | School Transport Services

https://www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport