Time for Government to Act on School Busing Changes

For Immediate Release

November 15, 2013

 Time for Government to Act on School Busing Changes 

St. John’s— Earlier this year, the consulting firm Deloitte was commissioned by Department of Education to conduct a review of the school transportation system in Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John’s North MHA Dale Kirby says action on that review is long overdue. 

“Government spent $75,000 of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars on a school busing report that says what we already knew – that busing policies need to change,” says Kirby. “Let’s make safety our priority and get these changes in place before the winter sets in.”

Current government regulations deny busing services to students who live closer than 1.6 km to school. Since the House of Assembly reopened, Kirby has been presenting petitions on behalf of parents who are concerned that children living within 1.6 kilometres of school face dangers in walking to school, such as congested streets and busy intersections, especially during winter weather conditions.

 “The $75,000 Deloitte report pointed out that only 10 per cent of those surveyed for the school busing review agree that the current 1.6 km policy is reasonable for students and families,” says Kirby. “Rather than waiting for next year or the one after to make needed changes, the Minister should act on the busing report before students return to school in January after the Christmas break.”

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For more information, please contact:

Dale Kirby, MHA

dalekirby@gov.nl.ca

Tel: 709-729-6921