Transportation Assistance
DID YOU KNOW that although it is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians to transport their children to and from school, the Board of Education makes school buses available on major routes throughout the District, so that those who live further away from their neighbourhood school (at least 3.2 kilometres) receive some help.
If there is no bus service on your route, and if you live more than 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) away from the nearest bus stop serving your school, or more than 3.2 kilometres from the school itself, you may be eligible for TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE if you transport your children to and from school in your own vehicle. Assistance comes in the form of a monthly payment of 25 cents per kilometre (per journey), for days your child is actually in attendance at school. The examples below will give you a clearer idea:
EXAMPLE 1: A family lives 10 kilometres from its neighbourhood school (for more information about which school to enroll your child in, see Board Policy F-6 ‘School Catchment Areas and Student Placement’). In delivering your child to and from school, you make four 10 kilometre journeys each day. 10kms. X 4 = 40kms @ $0.25 or $10. Your child attends 17 out of 19 possible school days (2 days sick). The Transportation Assistance cheque for that month will be $10 X 17 days = $170.
EXAMPLE 2: A family lives 10 kilometres from the school, but there is a bus stop 5 kilometres along the route. Now the calculation of Assistance becomes: 5kms. X 4 = 20kms. @ $0.25 or $5 per day. The parents can deliver the child to the bus stop, or, if they prefer, take the child all the way to school. Because the bus service is available, the amount paid will still be that for the shorter distance.
Maximum possible payment is $12.50 per day.
“Route” is defined as the way to the neighbourhood school by the nearest passable road.
Application forms are available at the School Board Office, in Oliver (35061 - 101st Street) and at each school in the district. If you are unable to make a personal visit, phone 250-498-3481 (toll-free from long-distance areas 1-888-498-8476) then press ‘0’ to talk to the Receptionist. Ask for a form to be mailed to you.
| 
