Families in the Richmond school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $21,608 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Richmond Steveston MLA John Yap announced today, on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier, that the Richmond school district will use the new funding to increase safety for students walking to school in the school district by:

• Increasing training for crossing guards.
• Implementing walking school buses – a designated safe walking route for students to follow to get to school, the routes will be supervised by school district staff.

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:

John Yap, MLA for Richmond-Steveston –

“I think parents will take a great deal of comfort in the fact that this funding will provide additional training for crossing guards. They will also welcome safe walking routes to ensure the security of students on foot.”

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.
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Learn More:

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