Bus Éireann said today it would not be held to ransom by private school bus operators who are threatening to strike at the start of the new term.
Around five of the 57 operators in the Sligo area have demanded an increase of 15 per cent for carrying schoolchildren on the daily run due to rising diesel prices.
Bus Éireann said the demand was nearly three times the 4.5 per cent increase approved by the Department of Education.
A spokeswoman said: "We can't be held to ransom by this kind of greed and opportunism. What's happening here is that they feel this is the right time to milk it and we can't really encourage that kind of behaviour by capitulating."
Yesterday, a number of pupils who were due to attend St Cecilia's special school and Gaelscoil Chnoc na Re in Sligo town were left stranded. Most of the pupils living along the affected routes are not due to return to school in Sligo town until Thursday.
The Bus Éireann spokeswoman said the company would consider providing buses from its own fleet to transport the pupils or hiring private operators if the dispute is not resolved.
Around 20 operators in the Sligo region had originally been demanding a 15 per cent increase in pay, but this number has now dropped to five.
Bus Éireann said private operators had been given increases of 10 per cent in 2000; 5 per cent in 2001; 7.5 per cent in 2002; no increase in 2003; 4.5 per cent in 2004 and 4.5 per cent this year.
PA