Regina group petitioning public school board to reconsider busing changes

The safety of children was the motivating factor behind a community group petitioning the Regina Public School Boardto bring back the buses.

Anthony Eberlejoined CBC Radio'sThe Morning Editionto discuss a petition created by a group calledBring Back Our Buses.

The group, consisting of parents and concerned citizens, wants the board reconsider changes to the busing routes which are slated to roll out in the fall which will result in kindergarten to eighth grade students walking to school if they live less than a kilometre away.

• Education minister won't approve program cuts announced by Regina Public Schools
• Buses, kindergarten face changes as Regina Public Schools deals with budget shortfall

"Right away, as soon as you have a problem like this, you want to come with solutions," Eberle said.

Currently, first to eighth grade students are bused if they live more than 1200 metres, as are kindergarten students who live more than 600 metres.

"For many children out there, that's going to be a lot more than one kilometre," Eberle said of actual walking distance, rather than the "as the crow flies" philosophy.

Students may also have to cross major streets and intersections. Using Arcola Community School as an example, he noted three major intersections involving College Avenue, Arcola Avenue and Park Street nearby.

The group has brainstormed ideas, such as paying out of pocket for busing services or having buses shuttle both separate and public school students between home and class.

"It would be nice to maybe explore if it's beneficial or not to have those children on one bus."

Eberle will make a presentation in front of the Regina Public School board Tuesday evening. The changes to busing stems from a $9.5 million budget shortfall stemming from March's provincial budget.