School buses on the chopping block
Queenstown transport group The Lightfoot Initiative is encouraging parents to write directly to Education Minister Erica Stanford over the touted removal of school buses.
The charitable organisation, which promotes active travel and alternatives to cars, says it recognises there's little hope of saving the free service forever, as Queenstown continues to grow into an urban centre.
But it argues that despite the increased frequency of Orbus services in Queenstown, there's still a lack of suitable public transport currently available to support the transition proposed by the Ministry.
More than 1000 students across the Wakatipu Basin currently use the school bus service.
Lightfoot's Amanda Robinson says some routes on the local public bus network don't have the capacity needed for the students. And much work needs to be done on keeping costs down for families, safety, driver training, active travel infrastructure and much more.
"The reality is Queenstown is growing, and urban centres don't have school buses because they have functional public transport networks," Robinson says.
"But to be functional, you need the frequency and the capacity, and also safe walking and biking infrastructure.
"We need to carefully manage the transition to ensure that people don't automatically choose their cars."
Lightfoot has published an information sheet on its Facebook page outlining its position and listing its concerns, including the recently re-introduced $1.50 charge per trip on Orbus for children aged 5-12, which begin at the end of this month.
It says the potential removal of school buses is incompatible with Queenstown's 40% mode-shift requirement, as more people will drive. It also says attendance will suffer, along with detailing concerns over safety.
Data from three affected primary schools show 65% of parents don't feel confident in route safety around schools, and also shows for those schools approximately 75% of emissions come from single family use of private cars.
Lightfoot is writing to the Minister, local MP Joseph Mooney, Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers, QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen, and ORC chief executive Richard Saunders, and Robinson is encouraging parents to write directly to the Minister.
"They do want to respond to what the public needs but often they're not fully aware of the whole picture. So direct letters to the Minister, detailing the issues, can fill in the gaps."
The organisation submitted an Official Information Act request to the Ministry of Education, so the community has clarity on the operational policy that is driving the change proposal. And it's also drafting a Parliamentary Petition calling for a national strategy that recognises school transport as part of the wider transport network — reducing emissions, improving safety, and ensuring equitable access for all tamariki.
The organisation hosts its AGM in Queenstown Gardens bowling club on Tuesday evening. More details: www.facebook.com/lightfootinitiative
