Busing for junior and senior high students in St. John�s

The provincial government is investing $800,000 this fiscal year to achieve parity in the school busing system throughout the province.

Previously, all students in the province, with the exception of St. John�s junior and senior high students, had access to school bus transportation provided they lived 1.6 kilometres or more from their designated schools. K-6 busing was introduced in St. John�s for the 1999-2000 school year. However, there remained a disparity in school busing service for students in Grades 7-12 attending school in the city.

"Starting in September 2001, junior and senior high students attending school in St. John�s, who live 1.6 kilometres or more from their designated schools, will also be eligible for school busing. I am pleased that we will now be able provide the same level of school bus transportation to all students, regardless of their grade level or where they live in the province," said Education Minister Judy Foote.

This brings the total commitment for school bus services to $29 million for fiscal year 2001-2002.

Media contact: Andrea Maunder, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

2001 03 22                    3:15 p.m.