District votes to temporarily fund cut bus routes

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Students in School District 22 who lost bus service because of funding cuts will have their bus service restored – at least temporarily.

School Trustee Mark Olsen put forward a motion at Wednesday’s board meeting to fund the cancelled buses for one year through the surplus.

#BREAKING School Trustee Mark Olsen put forward a motion to fund the school bus runs that were cut for one year through surplus so that the district can have enough time to evaluate. The motion was approved #bced #VernonBC pic.twitter.com/6hWOniWA3T

— Tiffany Goodwein (@misstiff_94) May 16, 2019

“We are in a very fortunate situation that we have a surplus, it’s a significant surplus, and I don’t think the cost is too significant to help us help everyone else,” he said.

Olsen also said that the motion would allow the board more time to evaluate the complicated transportation issues they are facing.

“It really benefits us to have a little more time, it benefits the parents because now they are not losing their ride this year. They may lose it next year, just believe me you may lose it next year I don’t know we may need to look at that, we don’t know what the budget looks like, but at least we can take a serious concentrated look,” he said.

Trustee Tom Williamson said he would like to see monthly reports on ridership next year so that the board can make a more informed decision.

“I would like to see a report by the transportation committee on a monthly basis starting next September; What was capacity of each bus? Who was in each bus? Where did it go? An overview of the whole transportation system,” he said.

A total of $270,000 from the surplus will be used to fund the buses for the upcoming school year.

The motion was seconded by Trustee Gen Acton and approved unanimously.

The decision by the board was a relief for many parents who have advocated for bus service to be reinstated.

“There was that confusion about whether or not they are going to eliminate the routes for Beairsto.  I’m glad they are going to defer it for another year. It gives me a little bit of a hope that there will be a better decision made for the future,” said École Beairsto Elementary school parent Christie Tujik.

Other transportation issues such as walk limits and staggered bell times will also be decided next year.