School Bus Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 12

School Bus Service

Sir,—Now that we are beset by economy measures and officialdom has taken steps to make some economies and threatened others, perhaps the local education authorities would take a look at the arrangement for the transport of school children to the Weedons Primary School. There is no bus service for children living in the area, but at least they have the pleasure of seeing a bus pass them by each day. This bus belongs to the R.N.ZA.F., Weedons, and goes to and from the school each day, taking only camp children under 10 years of age. Those over age and those living elsewhere have to find their own way, except that those of the latter category under 10 get a subsidy of not less than 4s a week from the education authority towards private transport. As the R.N.Z.A.F. bus is approximatley a 36seater and carries only about 10 children, would it not be a more reasonable arrangement for th; Department of Education to take over the service, cut out the subsidies, and carry as many children as the vehicle will accommodate? —Yours, etc., OMNIBUS. February 22, 1967. [The secretary-manager of the Canterbury Education board (Mr W. P. Spencer), replies: “The Education Board towards the end of 1965 investigated the possibility of extending the R.N.Z.A.F. Weedons school service to include children from other families living in the area. The R.N.Z.A.F. declined the application from

the board on the grounds that it has an obligation to the dependants of its servicemen in the area but Is not empowered to become involved in passenger transport business and is not authorised to carry civilians. Information received from the R.N.Z.A.F. discloses that this service has the approval of tiie Ministry of Defence, is reviewed annually, and is run on an economically sound basis.”]