Riding the bus could become costly
The Chilliwack school district is looking into possibly implementing ridership fees for bus transportation.
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Updated: October 29, 2009 3:28 PM
School bus transportation will continue to be free for students – for now.
A move by the Chilliwack school district to start charging fees to all bus students in the next school year was sent back to the board policy committee Tuesday for further study.
The school district currently spends $360,000 more on transportation than what the B.C. Education Ministry provides in annual funding.
The district implemented a $200 user fee for all courtesy riders, last year, and also approved a motion to eliminate school buses on Promontory starting next year.
The purpose of the proposed ridership fee is to recover the $360,000 shortfall, said secretary-treasurer Ray Velestuk.
District officials have already reviewed four other school districts that charge for bus transportation, including Langley school district and Kelowna school district, which just implemented a bus fee this school year.
The ridership fee in Langley is $200 per student, per year, up to $450 for three or more children in one family. In Kelowna, the fee is $200 per student, up to $600 for four or more children.
Ministry of Education funding for bus transportation has been frozen since 2002.
kbartel@theprogress.com
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