There are calls for the School Bus Transport Scheme to be radically reformed.
Thousands more pupils are set to become eligible for a bus place for the 2025 academic year, under new plans being finalised by the Education minister.
However, the price of annual tickets are expected to increase.
Social Democrats' spokesperson for climate and children, Jennifer Whitmore, says significant changes are needed:
"Rather than just an expansion of the scheme to bring in a few more thousand children into the scheme, what we needed to see was a complete overhaul, because it's really not working for thousands of children across the country".
