Underfunding threatens School Bus Viability

MEDIA RELEASE
New Zealand Direct Resourced School Transport

For Immediate Release

Underfunding threatens School Bus Viability
27 February 2007

After 3 months negotiation the Ministry of Education is refusing to commit to providing adequate funding levels to Direct Resourced (DR) School Buses. Despite knowledge of the issue since 2002 the ministry has been unwilling to review how they implement policy.

A previous review in 2005 was abandoned after schools objected to the proposed conditions of operation.

As a ‘band aid measure’ prior to the election, the then Minister Trevor Mallard, provided a funding increase of 10%.

In December 2006 schools were led to believe that Direct Resourcing would have parity with Ministry Contracted services.

These schools are expected to continue to provide school transport at a significant price disadvantage compared to contracts controlled by the ministry.

The ministry has offered to take over the routes, and has funding available to pay contractors more than they are prepared to fund school operated services.

The group, who appealed to the Minister, are at a loss to understand why the Minister is slow to support school operated services which are able to operate at a much lower cost to the taxpayer than contracted services.

DR is a funding system that allows Schools to receive transport funding directly and manage their own transport requirements.

ENDS

Stuart Browning is a member of Morven School BOT and its bus service.
Sandy McAlwee is a member of Beaconsfield School BOT and its bus service

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