RECENT changes to the tendering system for school buses is causing great concern for a number of parents of special needs children in Athy.

Parents expressed their concern and upset this week after learning that a bus operator that has taken their children to school for the past 10 years has lost its contract with Bus Éireann.

Crom A Boo has been transporting children with autism and special needs to Scoil Mhicil Naofa but lost one of its nine runs in the latest renewal of contracts with the bus company.

“It is hard for children with special needs to adapt to something new,” said parent Ann Murphy.

“My lad is happy to get up in the mornings and go to school but myself and a lot of parents are worried now about the upset that this will cause.

“Our bus and bus driver has been doing this route for the past ten years and the children have gotten to know him.”

A spokeswoman for the company said they have been contacted by parents who are seriously concerned about the upset the change might cause.

“Children with special needs don’t like change. It can take them a long time to settle and our driver would even know the moods of the children, he was that great with them,” she said.

“This is a catastrophe for those kids.”

She said the company was shocked to learn that the contract was being awarded to another company.

“We were told this new driver knew the route batter but how can anyone know the route better than someone who has been driving it for the past ten years?” she asked.