A number of school bus routes have remained out of service in Co Fermanagh and Co Tyrone for almost two weeks due to a shortage of drivers.
Routes from Derrylin, Tempo and Fivemiletown to primary and secondary schools were out of operation again on Friday as the Education Authority said it is "disappointed" that a number of routes remain unavailable.
In a letter sent to principals of the schools affected by the bus service disruption, the EA said it has been challenging to find cover for the routes, particularly in rural areas.
The letter added: “Transport is working extremely hard to keep our services on the road and so we’re disappointed that a number of runs in your area have been unavailable.
“One of the biggest challenges at present is the industry-wide shortage of HGV & PVC drivers, which means all operators are struggling to meet service demand.
“In addition to this, driver and escort availability is being impacted by Covid cases and staff may become unavailable at extremely short notice.
“A number of contingency options are in place to deal with these challenges but at present these are being fully utilised.
“Our relief staff, for example, are fully deployed and you may know that it has been challenging to recruit relief cover – particularly in rural areas.
“Please be assured however that we will continue to explore all options available to us and are working hard to resume these services.”
The issue was discussed at a full meeting of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council earlier this week, with one councillor describing the situation as "chaos".
Sinn Fein Councillor Anthony Feeley said: "It's been nothing only chaos since the children moved schools, all of the bus routes are all astray.
"Kids have been pure stressed starting a new school or changing school, and they would have been stressed enough about that.
"I've been inundated with phone calls about it all week so I'm just very disappointed about that end of it."
SDLP Councillor Adam Gannon added: "The EA are saying they don't have any responsibility for the pupils here of St Mary's but they have a massive responsibility.
"Transport hasn't been sorted and some parents have contacted me saying they have had no transport and had to drive to Enniskillen and back again twice in the day to get their child to and from school.
"That's the type of thing that need to be discussed in any meetings, how we arrange transport."
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