Staff shortage forces closure of Tullamore bus service to college in Athlone

A transport company in Tullamore has announced it's been forced to end its longstanding bus service to the third level college in Athlone due to staff shortages.

Carroll's Coaches Ltd made the announcement on social media on Tuesday night.

"Unfortunately we cannot continue the service to Athlone college this year from Tullamore due to staff shortages," the company said.

"We have been unable to recruit drivers and we do apologise for any inconvenience."

The loss of the bus route, which also served Clara and Moate, comes just before the start of the new academic year.

Carroll's said the decision to discontinue the service had not been taken lightly.

"We have been searching for extra drivers for years now, and it seems to be a problem all over the country in every company.

"It wasn't an easy decision for us to make as we have been going to Athlone for 49 years. This would have been our 50th," the company said.