Changes could be coming to the student transportation funding formula

The Province has announced it will be reviewing the current student transportation funding formula.

The decision to review the formula comes at the request of student transportation partners, due to the changing needs and costs encountered by school boards; as well as the Auditor General’s 2015 report that recommended the government review the funding formula.

“Parents and taxpayers deserve the most reliable and effective bus service possible, where every tax dollar we invest is maximized to benefit Ontario’s students,” Sam Oosterhoff, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education, said in a news release.

“With student transportation costs projected to be over $1 billion this school year, it’s critically important that we ensure value for money so we are better serving students in rural and urban communities,” he continued.

Additionally, the government is establishing a Student Transportation Advisory Group, to ensure student transportation sector partners have the opportunity to share their expertise, experience and ideas for the review.

The goals the government hopes to achieve through the review are equity; fiscal responsibility and accountability; and evidence-based decision making.

“Every day, more than 830,000 students are transported back and forth from school safely, and on time, thanks to the terrific work of school bus drivers and the hard-working staff who support them,” Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, said in the same release.

“By launching this funding review with our sector partners, we are taking action to achieve a more efficient and accountable student transportation system that continues to deliver the high-quality service that students and parents can depend on,” he continued.