School District 23 increases busing fees for 2020-21

Photo: file photo

School busing fees in the Central Okanagan will be going up next year.

However, they will not be doubled as was originally recommended.

The School District 23 board of education agreed Wednesday on a new set of policies on student busing.

That includes a fee increase from the current $225 a year to $300.

The original recommendation from the transportation task force called for an increase to $450 to help cover a busing shortfall of more than $3.1 million.

The board also approved changes to walk limits for all three school levels.

The eligibility limit for elementary school students will be reduced to three kilometres from four, middle school will drop from 4.8 km to four, while the 4.8-km eligibility limit will remain for secondary school students.

Courtesy ridership will no longer be allowed for students living less than two km from school, while priority will now be given to elementary and middle school students based on distance. Any seats left will be allocated to secondary school students.

The district also added a provision that all outstanding fees must be paid, arranged for payment, or subsidized before receiving busing.

The changes were made following an extensive public consultation process that included survey feedback from about 4,000 people.