Decreased Ministry of Education funding for school transport
in the greater Waikouaiti coastal area will not affect the
level of service to residents, but some will face higher bus
fares.
A recent ministry survey showed a reduction in the number of
pupils eligible for subsidised school transport in the area,
so the two existing subsidised bus routes were combined into
one.
Passenger Transport Citibus, contracted to operate the
ministry-funded services, decided to retain the defunct route
as a commercial operation.
Director Kayne Baas said the changes, effective from the
start of the new school year, would only affect those not
already eligible for the ministry-funded service, as their
fares would be higher on the commercial route.
"The revised ministry-funded route will allow eligible
children to be transported free of charge from Seacliff,
Warrington, Waitati and Mt Cargill Rd," he said.
Mr Baas said fare increases would differ according to
previous zone-based prices.
In general, pupils attending their closest public school were
eligible for transport assistance from the ministry, he said.
The new commercial route would operate from Waikouaiti and
include Karitane, Seacliff and Warrington.
Mr Baas said if patronage reached a certain level, it was
possible the fares could be reduced. A slight timetable
change was necessary to accommodate both services, he said.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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