Hoggard: School bus review offers hope to rural families

Manawatū-based ACT MP Andrew Hoggard is welcoming the Ministry for Education’s move to review school bus policy changes, after he wrote to the Minister advocating for rural families affected.

“Even this morning at the Central District Field Days, I’ve been approached by parents ropeable about being denied access to long-standing bus services. It is a major issue for communities who feel that Wellington just doesn’t get it.”

Mr Hoggard wrote to Education Minister Erica Stanford on 12 February raising concerns from Manawatū families blindsided by changes. The Minister has now initiated a review of the policy, and paused its rollout.

“The pause provides immediate relief for families in areas like Gisborne who were set to lose their bus services in Term Two,” says Mr Hoggard.

“But in the Manawatū where I am based, changes have already come into effect, forcing some families to spend hundreds on petrol or to pool money for privately organised transport services. My hope is that the policy review will move us towards common sense.

“For example, if there’s a school bus running past a rural student that takes them most of the way to their school, the student should be able to take that bus, assuming there’s space for them. This is what families in the region have done for years, and it’s frankly just an efficient use of public assets.

“No one expects the taxpayer to fund every parental choice, but forcing rural families into one ‘approved’ school or hitting them with big transport costs just isn’t realistic. It risks hollowing out rural communities by denying them the opportunities available to families in town.

“The review shows that this Government listens, and we have a chance to fix what matters for rural families.

“If there is a fiscal barrier to continuing bus services, ACT is always prepared to offer suggestions of how savings can be secured across government to fund what matters.”

Editor's note:

Andrew Hoggard is available for interview over the phone, or in person at Central District Field Days from today through Saturday.

Andrew Hoggard's letter to the Minister can be found here, and the reply can be found here.