By Pete McIntyre

Backlash to potential school bus cuts

Mar 11, 2020 | 2:47 PM

Some parents are up in arms about potential cuts to busing service in the Vernon School District.

A transportation study done for School District 22 looked into designing routes to better service eligible riders (defined as living at least 2.4 kilometres from the school in their catchment area), which would come at a cost to over 600 courtesy riders, who are defined as students living closer than 2.4 kilometres from their school.

The study into implementing a routing system, found that “many eligible riders would experience improved service arrival and departure times,” and that “approximately 637 courtesy riders would be impacted by the loss of a ride.”

Beairsto Elementary would be most impacted with over 200 courtesy riders, followed by Seaton Secondary with 127.

If approved, the changes would save the district an estimated $195,000 in busing costs.

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That would involve the reduction of 13 route hours at approximately $15,000/route hour.

“Parents of school aged children who rely on a school bus to get to school I encourage you to check out this document that SD22 has presented, essentially making the decision to remove the ability for 637 children to get to school by school bus transportation in our district,” one person on social media wrote.

“There is a public meeting at the School Board office [Wednesday] night (March 11) that anyone can attend, please attend and voice your concerns,” the posting said.

Maritza Reilly, communications for School District 22, said busing is not on tonight’s agenda, but CUPE staff have put forward a recommendation of “courtesy rider transportation support“ for the 2020/21 draft budget request summary which trustees will review at tonight’s meeting.

“From what I understand, there will be a large contingent of parents at tonight’s meeting, which may result in this issue being place on a future agenda,” Reilly told Vernon Matters.

by Pete McIntyre

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