Transportation FAQ's

Preamble:

SD#27 is conducting an in-depth review of our current transportation routes. The BC School Act does not require school districts to provide school bus transportation services and therefore it is the responsibility of each family to determine the best transportation option, to and from school, to meet their needs. The District has also been reviewing our existing routes compared with our transportation policies and administrative procedures. We have identified that there are inconsistencies between our policies and our practices.  

 Statistics:

SD#27 transports approximately 3,000 students over 8,000 kms per day. We operate 57 bus routes and around 30 % of the current ridership are School of Choice (SoC) or Courtesy Riders. The District has Policy and AP 770 which outline the provision of the service to students.

Questions and Answers:

Q. Why has the District undertaken a Transportation review?

A. The District is undertaking a transportation review for multiple reasons: safety of staff and students, consistent service, and effective and efficient bus routes. Our goal is to ensure resources are better utilized across education, transportation and facilities.

Q. What does the District mean by optimization?

A. Our inconsistent practice is a result of trying to accommodate diverse requests which, ironically, cause frustrations from users due to complex runs, length of runs and combination of runs when we are short of bus drivers. Optimization is simplifying our routes, reducing the number of bus stops and eliminating redundant routes.

Q. Why does the District’s Transportation need to be optimized?

A.  Having not been reviewed in over 10 years, routes and stops were added that are not in-line with Board policy. The District has finite resources, and we must be fiscally responsible in all areas of our budget allocations to ensure maximum resources are directed toward improving education outcomes. Unsafe and inefficient bus routes divert resources from the classroom. In the 2024/2025 annual budget, projected transportation costs have risen to $5,976,142 or 9.4% of our total operating expenses. This is an increase of 1.1% since 2023. This is not sustainable and is putting budget pressure on our allocations to classroom instruction and our significant accumulation of deferred maintenance. 

Q. What is meant by School of Choice riders?

A. SD#27 students registered at a school other than their local catchment school. When families make this choice, they are informed that transportation to and from a SoC will be their responsibility.

Q. What is meant by Courtesy riders?

A. Private school riders who pay for the service or those SD#27 students going places other than between home and school (i.e Day Care). 

Q. What is meant by under-utilized seats? Why are they an issue?

A. These are seats where catchment students register for bus service but then don’t regularly use the service. This creates buses that are not at capacity and prevents the District from making the seat available to another student or amalgamating routes. If seats are not utilized, they could be reassigned unless the extraordinary circumstances are relayed to Transportation.

Q. What is meant by a Transportation Hub?

A. A location that students walk to where buses can park, pick up students, and turn around easily. Hubs will reduce traffic violations and increase safety for students and bus drivers.

Q. Why are we adhering to a walk limit and why 3 km? 

A. This has always been the District’s walk limit and is a standard distance provincially though several Districts have limits up to 5 kms. 

• It is healthy for kids to be more active. 
• Usually, where walking is a concern, parents work together to ensure older and younger siblings/neighbors walk together or parents arrange to transport to designated pick up points.
• Some local school communities already engage in this deliberate work as part of promoting healthy communities.
• The School District has been flexible in its adherence to the 3km.

Q. How is the School District considering rural students affected by distance, lack of extra-curricular activities, lack of public transit, lack of sidewalks & streetlights, and wildlife?

A. Parents choose where to raise their families and the District respects those choices. However, parents are then responsible to get kids to the nearest bus stop and/or school. It is not the responsibility of the District to accommodate these choices other than to provide access to an educational program which can either be remote or in-person at catchment schools.

• As per above, the School District continues to be flexible with regards to the 3km limit

Q. Why can’t a parent write a note so kids can ride a bus and go to visit friends, to extra curricular activities or friend’s homes?

A. This is a liability issue. The District is moving to an electronic system for riders to check on/off the bus. When our Transportation system is so complex, we need to know who is on each bus for those rare instances when we experience unforeseen circumstances.

Q. Why can’t hockey gear be carried on school buses?

A. Large bags or cases are prohibited inside the bus by Transport Canada for student safety.

Q. Will you be providing after school care for families affected?

A.  The School District has committed to grandfathering where possible.

• The District is also exploring creating before and after school spaces at both Chilcotin Rd Elementary School and 150 Mile Elementary, which as per current practice would be offered to 3^rd party childcare operators.

Q. Why is there not more consideration by the District for rural students affected by distance, lack of extra-curricular activities, lack of public transit, lack of sidewalks & streetlights, and wildlife?

A. Parents have chosen where to raise their families and the District respects those choices. However, parents are then responsible to get kids to the nearest bus stop and/or school. It is not the responsibility of the District to accommodate these choices other than to provide access to an educational program which can either be remote or in-person at catchment schools.

Q. What is the issue when buses are underutilized and mostly empty?

A. Inefficiency. Routes can be amalgamated, and costs can be reduced by providing a more efficient service with fuller, fewer buses.

Q. What is the timeframe for Transportation changes?

A. Ongoing. Transportation optimization is a constant process. Immediate changes will be done gradually and thoughtfully with the first in effect for September 2024.

Q. What changes will be made for September 2024?

A. Currently, the changes are largely related to walk limits and transportation hubs, most specifically in:

• Westridge
• South Lakeside
• 108 Mile
• Horse Lake

The School District has committed to:

• Grandfathering SoC riders and Courtesy riders going to private school, a second home or childcare until they age out of requiring the SoC bus service.
• Creating Transportation Hubs and adhering to our stated 3 km walk limits (where reasonable). This will result in fewer bus stops and faster, efficient routes.

Q.  If my child is not currently grandfathered, they can still apply for transportation services if they are SoC or a Courtesy Rider?

A. YES. However, no new SoC or Courtesy riders will be considered until each fall, and we are certain that available seats will not be needed for catchment students. Before these optional riders are added there will be an annual application process based on priority criteria.

Q. Where can families go for specific information?

A. For the previous Board discussions at the Finance, Facility & Transportation Committee regarding these changes, parents can review information at Committees of the Board (sd27.bc.ca). 

For specifics situations or concerns, parents can email transportation.info@sd27.bc.ca