Families in the Saanich school district will no longer pay fees for students riding school buses within their schools’ catchment area, after the district received $280,000 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.
School districts had the opportunity to apply for the Student Transportation Fund from August 10 to September 30, this year. Districts had to submit a plan to the Ministry of Education outlining how they will use the funding to enhance transportation services for students and families.
Education Minister Mike Bernier announced today that the Saanich school district will use new funding to eliminate fees for eligible student bus riders.
The $14.7-million Student Transportation Fund was announced in August to help school districts provide affordable and accessible transportation for B.C. families.
The amount of funding a district is eligible for is based on a formula tied to the ministry’s student location factor, which is used to determine the rural makeup of a school district.
International students will continue to be charged for bus service.