A former bus driver for Bus Eireann has shared his concerns when it comes to restrictions within the sector.
Paddy Gallogly from Carrickmacross worked with Bus Eireann for over 40 years and has shared his thoughts around changes announced to bus driver age limits.
The retirement age for some bus drivers is now set to increase to 72 from next September in order to combat a transport shortage.
However, while the age has increased, drivers of small public service vehicles will only be allowed to carry up to eight passengers on a two-year trial basis beginning in September.
Paddy says he is available to drive, but even with the changes introduced he is still not eligible.
Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Paddy says there's people out there who are physically fit, have their medical and CPC courses done and are sitting waiting on a call.
Paddy described the rules as "ridiculous" and says it is parents and young people who are suffering the most as a result of this.
Mr Gallogly explained: "The way the current system works, if a driver calls in sick and Bus Eireann can’t get a driver who is eligible, the operator will send an email to parents to say that the service for their children to go to school is cancelled for the day and that just isn’t good enough for people who have paid for their ticket.
"Bus Eireann has made a contract with parents and if you make a contract with someone it should be fulfilled. It then ends up that either one parent has to stay at home or parents have to drop children into school."
