Calgary Board of Education hikes bus fees but still faces budget shortfall

The Calgary Board of Education is increasing bus fees by more than 10 per cent for the next school year, rising from $300 to $335 per year, but still faces a budget shortfall.

Carrie Edwards, director of planning and transportation for the CBE, said most elementary students won't travel further than 1.6 kilometres to reach a bus stop, a number that rises to 1.8 kilometres for older students. 

"We might have a few students that fall outside of that because we always want to put our stops in safe places, but yes, absolutely those are the guidelines we use when we're creating routes and stops for our students in K to 9," she said. 

The one exception is students enrolled in non-language alternative programs, who will be forced to gather at congregated stops that could be up to five kilometres away from their homes.

The review of the board's busing system came after it initiated congregated stops last year in an effort to balance the budget, forcing some students to walk up to 2.4 kilometres to their stop.

That change caused an uproar amongst parents and forced Education Minister David Eggen to step in and ask the board to review its policies. 

Safety and 2-tiers

Jillian Millar Drysdale, with the Calgary Association of Parent and School Councils, said her organization is pleased with the amount of consultation that took place before these changes were made, and she's happy with the modest price increase. 

Her concern, however, is with safety and with the congregated stops. 

"Parents were particularly concerned about the distance for younger children, particularly in Grades 1 to 6," she said.

She added, "1.6 kilometres is a long way for a kindergarten student and again, not all families can afford a car to drive their kids."

When it comes to the alternative programs, her concern is with the effect it will have on choice. 

"You're allowing people that either have a nanny or a parent at home or can swing their work schedules to continue in those programs, but other parents it's not going to work as well for," she said. 

Still short on funding

David Stevenson, the chief superintendent of the CBE, said the plan is meant to support all students. 

"I don't believe that we are picking winners and losers. I believe that we are trying to come up with a long-term plan that allows us to provide appropriate busing for all of the students that need transportation," he said. 

The changes however, won't close the $13 million shortfall in the CBE's transportation budget.

"It comes closer to reducing the funding gap," said Edwards. "It doesn't close the gap entirely, and we knew that moving through. We said that we would only make modest changes."

She said this isn't the long-term strategy the board needs, but it's getting close. 

The board expects a $2.5 million shortfall and is asking the province for more money.

Parents who need transportation for their children are asked to register online by June 6.

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