The Central Okanagan Board of Education has signed off on another ridership fee increase for school bus transportation for the fifth consecutive year.

As of July 1 for the 2024-25 school year, the fee will increase to $450 for each bus rider, a $50 hike over the current school year.

Trustee Wayne Broughton said the fee increase generated a robust discussion at the recent meeting of the finance and audit committee, which he chairs.

鈥淚t comes down to whether we increase fees or take more funding otherwise directed to classroom programs to further subsidize the bus service,鈥� Broughton said.

He noted the ministry of education and child care provides $600,000 earmarked for transportation funding, but that funding has been the same 鈥渟ince I can鈥檛 remember鈥� while the cost of the school bus program is now about $4 million and continuing to climb.

鈥淥ur costs are increasing. We have added five new bus routes in the past two years and we will be adding two more bus routes for the (2024-25) school year,鈥� he said.

Beyond that, Broughton noted fuel and parts costs also continue to escalate, while the provincial funding for the service has remained static.

The school district also does have a financial hardship plan in place to assist families with the cost.

Despite the ongoing fee increases, which started going up from $200 per bus rider in 2018-19, the application for assistance has remained steadily consistent.

鈥淚t is something we do keep track of,鈥� said Central Okanagan Public Schools secretary-treasurer/CFO Delta Carmichael.

Ridership is expected to increase to 5,500 students beginning in September 2024.

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