Bus Éireann will issue temporary tickets to thousands of school students after delays caused by its new computer system.
Around 115,000 primary and second level students use the annual school bus service. So far, only 82,000 tickets have been issued.
Families are being advised that evidence of payment will be accepted on buses this week. Temporary tickets are also being issued via email and post
Bus Éireann is blaming the delay - which has left more than 30,000 schoolchildren without their bus tickets - on its new, centralised computer system. In the past the €650 annual tickets were issued at local offices.
Problems with the new system included a temporary inability to accept medical card details and browser issues, which the company says have now all been resolved.
The company said the remaining tickets would be issued and posted over the coming days once payment or medical card details have been processed.
It also advised that while the scheme's closing date was August 1, late payments will be accepted and tickets issued where seats remain available.
Bus Éireann has set up a helpline for those having problems with the online system on 1800 945 945.