On September 8, 2023, the province announced that up to $20 million in future funding is now available to school boards that manage their own student transportation fleets. (File Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Alberta providing funding for new buses as part of student transportation initiative

Sep 8, 2023 | 2:40 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial government is providing funding for more school buses in Alberta.

On September 8, 2023, the province announced that up to $20 million in future funding is now available to school boards that manage their own student transportation fleets.

The initiative has been set up as an accelerated program, which is when money allocated to future funding can be spent when it is needed in the present.

Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides said, “Alberta’s conservative government is taking real and practical steps to help more students find transportation. By advancing these funds, several school divisions will be able to purchase more buses sooner and help get more kids to school.”

He added, “This will help increase the number of kids taking school buses, reduce ride times and save Alberta families money.”

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The school bus advance funding program is part of a larger initiative from the province to improve the student transportation system.

Transportation eligibility criteria changes are coming into effect on September 1, 2024, meaning an additional 80,000 students will become eligible for school transportation services.

Of those students, 47,000 who currently pay transportation fees will become eligible for provincial coverage, which the province said will save parents and families more than $20 million.

School boards can apply for the new buses after they have confirmed their bus purchase plans. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2023.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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