Key Takeaways
- The Ministry of Education is reviewing its school bus services in Queenstown, with seven routes set to be redesigned, one cancelled, and one added from Term 2, 2026.
- About 90 students in Fernhill will lose access to their bus, with the redesigned route picking up students in the Bob’s Cove area instead.
- The Otago Regional Council believes the public bus network may not have the capacity to accommodate students at peak times.
- Parents and principals have raised concerns about student safety, attendance, and the cost of using public buses.
- The Ministry of Education has decided to keep most of Queenstown’s school buses for now, despite finding that most students are not eligible for the free services.
Introduction to the Issue
The Ministry of Education has been reviewing its school bus services in Queenstown, sparking concerns among parents and principals about student safety and attendance. The review has found that most students using the ministry-funded services in Queenstown are not eligible, either because there is public transport already available or they are not attending their closest school. As a result, the ministry has decided to redesign seven routes, cancel one route, and add a new route from Term 2, 2026. However, this decision has left many students without access to a school bus, particularly in the suburb of Fernhill.
Impact on Students and Families
The changes to the school bus services will have a significant impact on students and families in Queenstown. About 90 students in Fernhill will lose access to their bus, with the redesigned route picking up students in the Bob’s Cove area instead. Queenstown Primary School principal Fiona Cavanagh has expressed concerns about the safety of students using public buses, particularly in the Fernhill area where the roads are busy and public transport is limited. She has asked the ministry to reconsider its decision, suggesting that the bus could collect Fernhill students with only a small diversion. Parents have also raised concerns about the cost of using public buses, with some families facing an additional $1140 per year to transport their children to and from school.
Response from the Otago Regional Council
The Otago Regional Council has expressed concerns about the capacity of the public bus network to accommodate students at peak times. Regional Planning and Transport general manager Anita Dawe has stated that the council is not in a position to replace school bus services as they are currently delivered, due to resource constraints. The council is urging parents to plan ahead when using public transport to get their children to school and is working closely with the ministry and affected schools to provide information about the availability of public buses. However, the council’s concerns about the capacity of the public bus network have raised questions about the viability of using public transport as an alternative to school buses.
Community Concerns and Feedback
The ministry’s review of Queenstown school bus services has sparked a significant response from the community, with at least 22 emails sent to Education Minister Erica Stanford and Southland MP Joseph Mooney. Parents have expressed concerns about the safety of their primary-aged children using public buses without adult supervision, particularly those without mobile phones. Some parents have also raised concerns about the cost of using public buses, with some families facing an additional financial burden. Others have suggested that the changes could worsen traffic congestion, already a major issue in Queenstown. Mooney has summarised the concerns he has received and written to Stanford seeking her support in ensuring that the Ministry fully understands the implications of any decision to remove school buses in Queenstown.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Ministry of Education’s decision to keep most of Queenstown’s school buses for now is a temporary solution to a complex problem. The ministry has acknowledged that many students using the ministry-funded services in Queenstown are not eligible, and the review has highlighted the need for a longer-term, sustainable solution. The Otago Regional Council’s concerns about the capacity of the public bus network have raised questions about the viability of using public transport as an alternative to school buses. As the ministry continues to work towards a long-term solution, it is essential that the concerns of parents and principals are taken into account to ensure that students in Queenstown have access to safe and reliable transport to and from school. The ministry has indicated that it will provide an update next year, and it is crucial that the community is kept informed about the progress and any further changes to the school bus services.