Transportation FAQ's
SD27 conducted a review of our evolving transportation system in the 2023/2024 school year, after more than 10 years without a formal review by District staff. In June 2024, the Board of Trustees directed us to work towards aligning our transportation system with District Policy. The Policy and Procedure focus on students who need transportation the most—particularly those who live more than three kilometres from their catchment school. For safety reasons, we continue to have a few bus stops that are within three kilometres of schools.
We are committed to providing a transportation system with routes that are safe and efficient—and we are gradually implementing the changes that will bring our transportations system into alignment with District Policy and Procedure to provide students and their families with time to transition to the new bus limits and routes.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Why did SD 27 conduct a review of its transportation system?
Our transportation system has evolved over a decade, without a formal review. We were aware of inconsistencies between our transportation system and the District’s policies and administrative procedures. Our objective was—and is—to find a balance between safety, financial accountability, efficiency and convenience, as outlined in the Provincial Best Practices Transportation Manual.
- What is SD 27’s policy for its transportation system?
We are working towards building our bus routes for students who live more than three kilometres from their catchment school, as these are the students who need transportation services the most.
For safety reasons, we continue to have a few bus stops that are within three kilometres of schools.
- What are the changes to the transportation system?
We are eliminating redundancy, we’re creating pick-up and drop-off hubs, and we’re working to align capacity that reflects demand from eligible riders, and we anticipate that many students will spend less time on the bus, even with route amalgamations.
We recognize this is a change and that change can be difficult and may make it harder for some families to get their children to school. For some time, SD 27 has provided more comprehensive transportation services for students than most—if not all —other school districts, including rural districts like ours.
We are listening to the concerns of parents and the community—and we’ve made some adjustments to the routes, and delayed some of the changes, where possible, to provide students and their families more time to transition to the new system.
- When do the changes come into effect?
We implemented some adjustments to routes and introduced pick-up/drop-off hubs in September 2024, while we’re gradually phasing in others changes. We’re doing our best to provide existing riders and their families with additional time to transition to our new transportation system.
We’ll be monitoring and potentially adapting the routes each year to ensure we're servicing eligible riders.
- Who are eligible riders?
We are working towards building our bus routes for students who live more than three kilometres from their catchment school—and for safety reasons we continue to have a few bus stops that are within three kilometres of the schools.
- Who are School of Choice/Courtesy riders?
School of Choice and Courtesy riders are SD 27 students who attend schools that are not their local catchment schools and/or riders who attend other schools and/or are students who travel to places other than their home or school (e.g.) out of school care.
We use the broader term Courtesy riders, which encompass both of these types of riders.
- Are Courtesy students eligible to be riders?
We have extended legacy status to existing Courtesy riders to support families with the current transition. It’s important for families to know that we anticipate that capacity will, over time, more closely reflect demand for eligible riders, who are in-catchment students who reside more than 3 kilometres from the schools, with a few exceptions. This means there will be fewer seats for courtesy riders as we continue to align our transportation system with District Policy.
- Can children who do not have legacy status, including the younger siblings of Courtesy riders with legacy status, apply for transportation services?
Yes. As of September 2024, any student who wishes to be a new Courtesy rider can apply for a seat every September. If available seats are not needed by catchment students, optional riders will be selected based on priority criteria.
This represents a significant change—and we recognize that change can be difficult and may make it harder for some families to get their children to school. We are doing our best to accommodate students to whom we’ve provided transportation services to in past years—even if the routes may be slightly different.
It’s important for families to know that we anticipate that capacity will reflect demand for eligible riders, with limited and fewer spaces for Courtesy riders as we continue to align our transportation system with District Policy.
- How many students currently ride?
SD 27 transports approximately 3,000 students over 8,000 kilometres per school day. We operate 57 bus routes. Nearly a third of these students are Courtesy riders.
- Are more changes anticipated?
We’ll be monitoring these routes yearly and adjusting them as needed. For example, we may add stops or we may combine stops as we deliver a safe and efficient transportation system.
- Is this a cost-savings measure?
We want to ensure that we’re serving the students who need transportation services the most. Our focus is to ensure that our transportation routes balance safety, financial accountability, efficiency and convenience.
As a District, our focus is in schools and providing children with opportunities to learn and providing facilities that are supported by infrastructure, maintenance and upgrades that benefit all students.
For some time, SD 27 has provided more comprehensive transportation services for students than most—if not all—other school districts, including rural districts like ours. In northern and rural districts, transportation represents an average of five percent in annual budgets. Ours accounts for more than 9 percent of our annual budget.
We will continue to offer transportation services that meet District Policy and Procedure—and for safety reasons we continue to have a few bus stops that are within three kilometres of the schools.
- Was input from the public considered?
There were opportunities for the public to comment throughout the Committee Meetings, to share feedback by email, and there was a community meeting in Mile 108 Ranch in June. The District sent emails that outlined the proposed adjustments in April. In June 2024, the Board of Trustees approved working towards aligning our transportation system with District Policy and Procedure.
In response to the concerns of parents and the community over the summer of 2024, we made some adjustments to the routes in September 2024 in Mile 108 Ranch, and we’ve delayed some of the changes to provide students and their families with more time to transition to the new bus limits and routes.
Specifically in Mile 108 Ranch, we re-introduced three bus stops:
- One bus stop has been added on route 45. The stop is 4773 on Telque. It is the blue square on the red-coloured route.
- Two bus stops have been added on route 57. The stops are 4992 and 4958 on Smith. Both of these are located within 3 km of school. These are the blue squares on the teal-coloured route.
- Why can’t hockey gear be carried on school buses?
For student safety, Transport Canada prohibits large bags onboard.
Where can families go for specific information?
The 2024/2025 routes, bus stops and pick-up times are available online.
Information on Board discussions at the Finance, Facility & Transportation Committee regarding these changes are available at Committees of the Board (sd27.bc.ca). For questions or concerns, please contact us at: transportation.info@sd27.bc.ca.
