Families in the Kootenay-Columbia school district will no longer pay fees for students riding school buses within their schools’ catchment area and will also benefit from improved transportation services thanks to $242,977 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Education Minister Mike Bernier announced today that the Kootenay-Columbia school district is one of the first successful applicants to receive funding under the new Student Transportation Fund. The district will use the new funding to:

• Refund paid bus fees for this school year,
• Implement Zonar passes, these passes will track students using school buses,
• Increase safety initiatives like adult crossing guards and professional development for bus drivers,
• Subsidize transportation costs for low-income families,
• Provide additional funding for students to use buses to participate in more educational activities. This includes First Nations.

With just a few weeks left to apply, the Ministry of Education encourages all school districts to take advantage of this funding by Sept. 30, 2016. School districts must submit a plan to the Ministry of Education outlining how they will use the funding to enhance transportation services for students and families. Government is committed to delivering this funding promptly to districts once applications have been received and reviewed.

The amount of funding a district is eligible for is based on a formula tied to the Ministry of Education’s student location factor, which is used to determine the rural makeup of a school district. Districts will be required to report back on the outcomes and the benefits they achieved as a result of the funding.

The new $14.7-million new Student Transportation Fund was announced in August to help school districts provide affordable and accessible transportation for B.C. families.

As a result of B.C.'s strong economic growth and fiscal discipline, government is able to support and fund projects that make a real difference in the lives of British Columbians.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“As a parent in a rural community, I know first-hand about the challenges of getting kids to and from school in a timely manner. This funding will eliminate fees for families and help districts provide better bus and transportation services for families.”

Quick Facts:

The Student Transportation Fund builds on government’s recent investments to further strengthen B.C.’s education system and support student learning, including:

• $25 million of administrative savings returned to school districts to invest in students;
• $2 million Rural Education Enhancement Fund to help keep schools open;
• $28 million to ensure enrolment increases and labour settlements are covered; and,
• $6 million to train teachers on coding and new curriculum and to buy computers.

Learn More:

Read the Student Transportation Fund news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016EDUC0076-001429