Ministry of Education (MoE) suggests a Queenstown parent unhappy at how it’s rejigging a school bus route could explore a private arrangement with the bus operator.
The parent, who doesn’t want to be named, currently takes his children to the nearby corner of Malaghans and Dalefield Rds to catch a bus originating from Coronet Peak Station Rd that ferries them to Queenstown Primary — up to four other families drop their kids there, too.
From next term, however, this bus will start and finish at Arthurs Point, meaning the parent would have to drive 7km, twice a day, to drop off and pick up his children.
He calls this ‘‘illogical’’ given, to get to the new Arthurs Point terminus, the driver would most likely pass that current pick-up drop-off spot.
James Meffan, MoE’s school transport group manager, says a review of Queenstown school bus services found students living on or near Malaghans Rd are ineligible for school transport assistance as there’s public transport available — though he might be unaware there are no bus stops between Arrowtown and Arthurs Point.
To support ‘‘a smooth transition for ineligible Queenstown students’’, Meffan says interim bus services will be available from term 2, including this service from Arthurs Point to Queenstown Primary and St Joseph’s.
Decisions about how a bus reaches the starting point are made by bus operators, he adds.
‘‘Families with ineligible students who are not covered by the interim bus routes or public transport may be able to explore putting in place a private arrangement with the bus operator to extend a bus route at the beginning or end of a school bus route.
‘‘Private arrangements are at the bus operator’s discretion, including any fares or conditions they may set.’’
— Philip Chandler
