Kids will walk farther to school as N.B. cuts costs
The enforcement of school bus service rules in New Brunswick has some parents worried about the safety of their children as some kids will be forced to walk farther to their schools.
The Department of Education's guidelines are clear: any child who lives on main roads and is 2.4 kilometres or less from their school is not eligible for bus service. Over the years, exceptions have been made and kids within that preset radius have been welcomed on school buses.
That flexibility is ending this fall as the province is facing a $740-million deficit and all departments are cutting back. So there will be zero tolerance for breaking the distance rules in September, forcing some kids to lace up for longer walks to school.
Carrie Greene, who lives 2.3 kilometres from the new Bliss Carmen Middle School that will open this fall in Fredericton, said she's concerned about the safety of children who will have to walk through her busy neigbourhood.
When she complained to the school district, she was told the strict adherence to the guidelines is being done to promote physical activity and cut emissions into the environment.
Greene said many parents will end up driving their kids to school out of concern for their safety.
"Active lifestyle and environmental consciousness really is just a scapegoat, a nicer way to say we don't want to spend the money," Greene said.
Enforcing rule could save $5 million
As it turns out, Greene's explanation isn't far off.
Education Minister Kelly Lamrock admits the new policy is a recommendation from a report done several years ago that found enforcing the bus limit policy would save his department $5 million in extra costs.
"If we can be more efficient in how we do transportation, then we can put more services into the classroom," Lamrock said.
Lamrock said the only exemption to the 2.4-kilometre rule is for children who live on side roads in remote areas more than 1.5 kilometres from their schools.
For safety's sake, the Fredericton mother suggests school buses could stop at designated stations in her neighbourhood where students could gather to be picked up.