Fee-for-Service FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is fee-for-service busing?

  Fee-for-service busing is made available through policy by the Board of Trustees. It provides transportation, for a fee, for students who do not qualify for school bus transportation grants under Section 43 of The Public Schools Act. It is offered if there are unallocated seats on a route and is governed by Policy EEA-R—Student Transportation, Section 1 (e) i–ix.

• Is the division obligated to offer fee-for-service busing?

  No. School divisions only need to transport students in the obligated category (see below). Transportation is provided by the division to eligible students (see below)—and, at times, fee-for-service students—as a courtesy, not a right, and may be withdrawn at the board’s discretion.

• Why is the division obligated to transport some students and not others?

  “Obligated” refers to students who live in the rural area of our school division and are more than 1.6 km away from their designated school, or any students who are unable to walk to school because of physical or other disabilities, regardless of distance. This is defined in The Public Schools Act.

• Who is eligible for transportation?

  “Eligible” refers to students who, under divisional policy, are in kindergarten to Grade 6 and live more than 1.6 km away from their designated school.

• Why doesn’t the school division buy more buses to accommodate more students? This could be a revenue stream for the school division.

  School divisions are funded based on eligible and obligated students only—we receive no funding for non-eligible students. Based on the number of eligible and obligated students, divisions determine how many bus routes are required. RETSD ordered two additional buses for the 2023–24 school year—it would be optimal for us to order five additional buses per year. However, budget restrictions prevent us from doing so, as the cost of a bus, along with maintenance, fuel, and drivers, is prohibitive.

• I have applied for fee-for-service busing and I am told that there is currently no room. Why have I seen buses that are not full drive past my home?

  On some buses, there are a few unallocated seats; however, these need to be held in abeyance for new students who are either eligible for transportation or whom we are obligated to transport. Please keep in mind that buses that are at full capacity will have fewer students on board at the beginning and end of their routes, which does not indicate unallocated seats, despite giving that appearance.