Potential changes to school bus schedules and fees are on hold for the time being while Rocky View Schools (RVS) continues to investigate how to respond to insufficient transportation revenues.
“We have to look for efficiencies, but we also have to meet the needs of our community,” Trustee Helen Clease said. “I think that’s something we can’t ignore.”
A plan to implement triple busing in Airdrie – which would see the division’s buses run three routes in order to save costs – was outlined by administration, but raised concerns from Trustee Todd Brand on Feb. 4.
“For me, the issue is the unreasonably late start and end times for the tri-school site,” he said, adding the start time would be 9:20 a.m. and end time 3:52 p.m. “It is very possible this would make the younger two schools the latest starting schools in the province of Alberta.”
Other Airdrie schools would also potentially see start and finish times reorganized with the implementation of triple busing, but the program – which would see the division’s fleet of buses reduced to 39 – would save $500,000 per year.
“What we’re looking at is a big problem. If we don’t go with higher efficiency busing, there will be an increase in cost to parents. I’m not OK with that,” Trustee Bev LaPeare said. “We can draw down our reserves, but we can’t do that unless we have a plan moving forward.
“We’ve sent this back time and time again looking for more solutions, and I think every stone has been turned.”
Transportation fees for urban students in Airdrie have increased from $135 per student in 2011 to $220 in 2015. RVS raises approximately $100,000 in revenue per every $10 increase in fees.
“I don’t know if parents in my community would prefer to pay a little bit more or (implement) triple busing,” Trustee Fiona Gilbert said. “I don’t know. I think it’s worth a conversation.”
Gilbert also suggested RVS administration look to find efficiencies within existing transportation policy – such as kids who are transported to school who reside within the designated walk distance – in order to help offset some of the insufficient revenue.
“We need to find other ways to drive the efficiencies we need,” Brand said. “We have managed to keep our fees very low. We have some of the lowest school fees. That is kudos to our administration and transportation (department). Do I want to see that stay low? Absolutely.”
Based on the discussion, RVS trustees rescinded support for triple busing for September 2016 and the exploration of triple busing in Cochrane in 2017. The division’s transportation committee will convene to explore future alternatives at a yet to be determined date.
