TRANSLINK has scotched rumours that a bus-load of youngsters bound for Dromore High School were put off the vehicle when it ran into problems at Kinallen last week.
In fact, some pupils themselves chose to make alternative plans; others remained on the bus when it fell foul of treacherous road conditions.
So said Translink in response to claims doing the rounds locally that when the bus was unable to proceed,
its young passengers were simply deposited at the roadside.
It's understood that thanks to the icy weather at the time the school bus ran into difficulties near Kinallen's Heatherbank Estate during Monday (January 11) morning's school run.
Dromore High School reported that a number of its students from the Gransha, Carnew and Kinallen areas had indeed been unable to make it to school last Monday.
Others, according to the school, were successfully brought in by parents, but Dromore High received no complaints in respect of the bus service.
A Translink spokesperson dismissed the rumours.
The health and safety of passengers and employees was the company's top priority at all times, she said.
"Due to mechanical difficulties and difficult road conditions," she said, "the Dromore High School service was delayed on the morning of Monday 11 January in Kinallen.
"While some children chose to make alternative arrangements, others stayed on the bus, which operated approximately 40 minutes late."
