Families in the Sea to Sky school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $265,534 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy announced today, on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier, that the Sea to Sky school district will use the new funding to:

• Add two additional bus routes.
• Provide students outside catchment areas with transit passes to get to and from school.
• Run buses later in the day for students.
• Provide buses for curricular and sports 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:

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“Many Sea to Sky students are dependent on bus commutes so we want to offer as flexible a bussing system, meeting the greatest range of needs as possible. Students can now increasingly enjoy opportunities like after school programs and not worry about how they will get home, because of new routes and later schedules.”

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