Joint transportation system saves over $1 million
The Peel District School Board provides school buses or public transit for approximately 26,500 or 26% of its students annually. We provide transportation for students attending special programs and for students who live the following distances from their school:
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| Students | Distance |
|---|---|
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| kindergarten students | 1 km |
| grades 1-4 students | 1.6 km |
| grades 5-6 students | 2.0 km |
| grades 7-8 students | 3.2 km |
| secondary students | 4.8 km |
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| Students | Annual costs |
| 18,663 elementary students | $7.1 million |
| 5,352 secondary students | $2.7 million |
| 1,915 special education students | $7.0 million |
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| 25,930 | $16.8 million |
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Cost-saving transportation initiatives
- In 1997, the Peel board formed a partnership with the Dufferin-Peel catholic board to operate a joint busing system. This integrated system is managed by a single office. This partnership saves the Peel board $1 million annually, and bus companies have indicated that it is among the most efficient systems in the province. Peel's portion of the transportation contract cost is $90,800 a day or $16.8 million annually. The two school boards share costs based on the number of runs per route for the home-to-school transportation of regular students. Special education costs are based on the number of students transported.
- The board, in 1996, eliminated extended, after-hours busing
for extra-curricular program at secondary schools.
- Effective September 1, 1997 the eligibility distance for
grade 5 and 6 students was increased from 1.6 to 2.0 km.
- As of June 1996, the board completed its grandfathering of optional programs in secondary schools. For example - French immersion and regional arts.
