Families in the Comox school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $421,375 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae announced today, on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier, that the Comox school district will use the new funding to:

• Ensure the district doesn’t have to charge bus fees for eligible student bus riders.
• Provide an additional school bus for students’ for extra-curricular activities.

The new $14.7-million Student Transportation Fund was announced in August 2016 to help school districts provide affordable and accessible transportation for British Columbia families.

To be eligible for funding, school 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. The amount of funding for which a district is eligible 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.

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.

Quote:

Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley –

“Parents and students will welcome this funding. It will keep more money in parents’ pockets and give our students extra-curricular transportation that will allow them to get the most out of their school year.”

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