Parents outraged by changes to Niagara’s school bus transportation policy

Changes to the Niagara Region’s school bus transportation policy has left many parents outraged.

Starting Sept. 3, the walk distance for secondary students will be increased from 2.5 km to 3.2 km.

The change comes in part of a move that better aligns with the Ministry of Education’s “new funding guidelines for student transportation,” reads a joint statement from the region’s Catholic and public school boards.

“This decision brings Niagara students directly in line with provincial standards.”

A social media post sharing the news outraged some parents, who then raised concerns over a lack of sidewalks, walking in the dark, and the amount of time it will take for their children to walk to school.

“Some of these kids would have to walk through woods or parks alone to school,” one parent told CHCH News.

According to the District School Board of Niagara’s website, the policy will be reviewed later this year in May. When that time comes, a feedback form will open where parents will be able to share feedback on the policy.

The policy can be viewed here.

Eligibility for transportation services can be checked by visiting the Niagara Student Transportation Service’s website.

NSTS says on its website that the student transportation policies for DSBN and Niagara Catholic are harmonized and that “NSTS makes every effort to apply the policies fairly and consistently for each school and school board throughout the Niagara Region.”