The provincial government is celebrating the elimination of the decades-old 1.6 kilometre busing rule.
As of this school year, all students who attend schools with busing services can avail of a seat on the bus. Before, such transportation was only reserved for students living more than 1.6 km away from the school.
Government began phasing out the rule last year.
The province says 33 new buses were purchased this year as part of general fleet replacement, and 45 new buses were added to accommodate students now eligible for busing. That’s in addition to new agreements with contractors, which allowed for them to purchase new vehicles.
Premier Andrew Furey says they heard many stories from families who struggled with the previous rules, such as one family where the caregiver was looking after someone with cancer. They lived 1.5 km away from the school, but had no way to get the child there.
The removal of the 1.6 km busing rule means a lot more bus traffic in and around schools this year.
NLTA President Trent Langdon is urging patience as students and parents get used to parking lots and school zones.
He welcomes the ability for all students to access busing, and urges drivers to keep their speeds down in school zones.