DELTA - Parents hoping to have the rural school bus program restored shouldn't count on the Corporation of Delta taking on a funding role.
Talks have been taking place behind the scenes on what can be done to bring back rural bus service the Delta school board eliminated last year due to provincial funding cuts. Nothing has reached the Delta council level yet and it's not likely a proposal seeking civic funding would be viewed too favourably, said Coun. Robert Campbell."I'm not in favour of making agreements to help the school district, even though people say we're all one community and one taxpayer. To me, we have these separations for a reason and funding is set up like that for a reason," he said.Bus service was cancelled for all students except those with special needs, a move that angered many parents, especially those in rural East Delta where there are no sidewalks or regular transit service.School board officials met with Education Minister Peter Fassbender, asking him to revisit the new funding formula, trying to explain the unique geography of Delta. The minister responded by saying a technical review committee would examine Delta's case, but the funding cut was upheld.The district has been able to accommodate a few students in rural areas, allowing them to share space on buses with special needs kids, as long as there's space available. Meanwhile, one parent in Boundary Bay organized a deal with the school district to have one of the district's academy buses pick up some kids.This spring, Delta's agricultural advisory committee discussed the issue. It was noted that a school bus would cost approximately $54,000 per year, which amounts to roughly $900 per student.DFI president David Ryall said the organization is still working on the issue, hopeful it will come up with a solution."Kids have no choice in the rural district but to have their parents drive them," he said.sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com