Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (August 19, 2020) – Barry Petten, PC MHA for Conception Bay South, is speaking out against the school bussing changes included in the NLESD’s back-to-school plan.

“Every year, in September, I help dozens of families obtain courtesy bussing. This year, not only will courtesy bussing be unavailable, but an additional 6,000 students who live on bus routes, outside of the 1.6km zone, will be forced to find their own way to school. This means that thousands of students who have ridden the bus every year will now be forced to walk to school on busy roads and often without sidewalks. This is simply unacceptable,” said Petten.

Petten continued to express his disappointment that alternate transportation or additional bus routes have not been investigated by the NLESD and government.

“Having thousands of children walking to school on busy streets and without sidewalks puts their safety at risk. Parents are left with little option; they either have to find alternate transportation or send their children out to walk on dangerous and busy roadways. I’m shocked and disappointed that the NLESD didn’t work to make more busses and bus routes available to ensure that all students can get to school safely,” said Petten.

Petten concluded: “I’ve worked for years to ensure that the children in my district can get to school safely. I will continue to stand up for these families and advocate for safe transportation to school.”

Contacts:

Denise Tubrett

Chief of Staff

(p) 1.709.729.6105

(c) 1.709.725.2594

DeniseTubrett@gov.nl.ca

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