Stepaside ETNS school bus
The Parents Association Committee (PAC) established a school bus when the school moved to Belarmine in April 2018.
The current school bus is a 24-seater bus and as of August 2021 all places are taken. However, parents can apply for a seat on the bus for the upcoming school year. The closing date for applications is the last Friday in April for the forthcoming school year. If you’d like to check eligibility to join the school bus you need to apply at BusEireann.
The application will take a few weeks to be processed. Once you meet the criteria, you will receive an email from BusEireann to pay for your ticket. Once payment is made you will receive your bus ticket in August and your child(ren) are welcome to join one of the existing pick-up points listed below.
All children attending Stepaside ETNS can apply for a bus ticket (from Junior Infants to 6th class). Children will use the bus without their parents accompanying them. It is recommended that an adult wait with the child at the bus stop and picks them up in the afternoon. However, this is depending on their age and ability. An annual ticket cost €100 per child, you can find more information at the link above.
School bus pick up points and times 2021/22:
7.35am: Central Park across from Clayton Hotel
7.50am: The Gallops 'At the end of Orby Park'
7.55am: The Gallops Luas/Bus stop at ‘Glencairn Cresent/Ballyogan Road'
8.00am: Leopardstown Valley Luas Stop
8.10am: Glenamuck Rd, 'The Carrickmines Manor' (estate entrance)
8.15am: Kilternan 'Rockville Estate' (estate entrance)
8.15am: Bishops Gate, Kilternan (estate entrance)
8.20am: Stepaside Educate Together NS
Children must be at the agreed pick up point on time. Unfortunately, the bus driver won’t have time to wait for individuals.
The drop off in the afternoon should take about the same time or maybe a few minutes less than in the morning. The bus will leave at approx. 2.15pm from the school, so you can calculate based on the table above what time children will arrive back at the pick-up/drop off point. Please note, this might be a few metres down the road on the opposite side for safety reasons.
If you have any questions, please email the PAC at pac@stepasideetns.ie
Walking Bus 2019
The Parents Association is inviting you to support our walking initiative in the first 2 days of school (Thur 29th & Fri 30th). There are three good places to park and stride and it will only take 5-15 minutes to walk to school. Let’s set an example and Walk to School! See you on Thursday.
.
Walking Bus (term 3) 2019
Walk carefully in pairs
Listen to the adults, look where you are going. Be safe!
It is just a 10 minute walk to school
Join your class in line on the yard as usual and wait for your teacher to collect you.
Travel Survey November 2018
Linda, our Deputy Principal and Mobility Manager got the results of the latest travel survey which so many of you took the time to complete (191 responses out of 208 families). Thank you so much for this very high response rate. The results show huge co-operation from all families around this important issue:
2017 (old location) 2018 (Belarmine Vale)
Walk 8.4% Walk 33.9%
Cycle 0.84% Cycle 4.2%
Car 64.7% Car 49%
Scoot 1.68% Scoot 4.2%
Bus 1.68% Bus 3.6%
Of the 49% of you travelling by car:
· 54% drive to the school grounds
· 31% park and stride < 5 minute walk
· 7.1% park and stride < 10 minute walk
· 4% park and stride < 15 minute walk
· 3.9% Other
So you can see that cycling, scooting, walking have all increased since we moved to Belarmine Vale and those travelling by car have decreased which is fantastic. Some of these figures are a reflection of the fact that we are in an area more conducive to these sustainable modes of transport and in a development where a number of SETNS families reside. However it is also a testament to the commitment of you all towards sustainable transport. Thank you for this and we will continue to work towards making these figures even better.
Thank you all so much for your continued co-operation and thoughtfulness around this. As the school continues to grow bigger year on year this will be essential for maintaining safe and smooth arrival and departure from the school.
Older posts:
New school, new habits - let's walk!
Park and Stride
Some members of the PAC have already been out walking!
Here are two proposed starting points for a short and easy walk to the school.
Car Pooling
Share the journey with your neighbour! Our PAC have been promoting and facilitating car-pooling for the last 2 years. The PAC can help out in organising car pooling. If you are interested please contact: pac@stepasideetns.ie
Walking Bus
The PAC will be reaching out to the wider parent body to organise and run a walking bus in Belarmine. Please watch this space for updates. If you are interested and available to volunteer please contact pac@stepasideetns.ie. Great for older kids!
Drop your kids off at the walking bus stop and the supervised walk brings the kids to school safely. We will keep you updated on this.
Safety tips from Green Schools Travel
▪ Always be bright and be seen
▪ Always stay on pavements or footpaths
▪ Always use pedestrian crossings or lollipop wardens
▪ Always be responsible near roads
▪ Always remember the Safe Cross Code
▪ Always take care when crossing cycle lanes
Some useful links:
https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp_super_faq/top-tips-for-walking-to-school-from-green-schools-travel/
http://www.dlrcoco.ie/sites/default/files/atoms/files/dlr_travel_plan_walking_bus_guide_december_2015_final_2.pdf
Travel Survey
In 2018 we conducted another travel survey showing how people planning to travel to our new school in Belarmine.
You can view the survey results here on our blog.
In early 2017 we conducted a travel survey showing all the sustainable transport options we will have in our new location.
View the survey results here: SETNS_Transport_Survey_2017.
