A second increase in school bus fees in the space of five months could have a potentially devastating effect on the future of school transport services in Longford, it has been claimed.

Longford Co Mayor Sean Farrell, who is also a prominent member of Longford Vocational Education Committee (VEC), launched a stinging attack at the new proposals which could see come families having to cough up 174 euro more than last year.

"I think it's actually outrageous," he fumed. "The bus service in Longford is a major facility. Let's make this clear, it's not an urban issue, it's a rural one. A lot of people would be absolutely dependent on it and it is unfortunately slowly being nibbled away at during a time when the recession is beginning to bite."

The increases, which were announced earlier in the week by School Transport Minister Seán Haughey, means fees for Longford junior cycle students (eligible first to third year students) will now rise from 46 euro to 56 euro per term. Senior cycle students (concessionary second level students and eligible Transition Year to Leaving Certificate students) are also set to incur a 10 per cent hike from 71 euro to 79 euro.

More worryingly, however, is the fact last Tuesday's announcement will mean the cost of school transport in some instances has jumped by more than half since January. For second level students up to Junior Certificate, the increase from 33 euro a term to 46 euro at Easter and now to 56 euro in September represents a 70 per cent rise.

The impact of the new charges for students living outside designated catchment areas as well as for those who attend schools in some of the county's more ruralised locations is a development which could force many parents to "bypass the (school transport) system entirely", according to Cllr Farrell.

"It's another stealth tax and a government decision, let's be clear about that. We might see a car pooling system where would bring their children to school on a rota basis and bypass the system entirely. I can't see any justification for these types of increases when they come into effect in September," he added.