ACT Proposes ‘Open Seat Rule’ for Rural School Buses

Following changes in 2024, the Ministry of Education firmed up on its rules, stating that to qualify for rural transport, students must attend the nearest school, but at the same time, live more than 3.2 kilometres, in the case of primary or intermediate pupils, and 4.8km for secondary, from their school.

Proposed Policy Would Allow Children to Use Empty Seats

Hoggard last week announced an election commitment to fix the inefficiencies of the current system, that will include an "Open Seat Rule" so no bus passes a waiting child while there's an empty seat available.

The proposed policy would mean that any child living along an existing school bus route can use it, if there is space available, regardless of which school they attend.

"The bus is already running; the seat is already paid for: so let's let the child get on," he told Dairy News.

"We should be using what we've got, not putting more pressure on families, who have paid taxes, for a bus that leaves their children stranded."

ACT Says Policy Would Improve Efficiency Without Major Extra Costs

The policy will not require any additional spending in most cases, as it will serve to make better use of existing capacity.

Where demand on a route increases, additional buses can be provided.

The current 'nearest school' rule is out of step with how rural communities live and work, says Hoggard.

"Families choose schools for all sorts of reasons, where siblings go, where there's better support, or what fits around work and farm life.

"Of course, in some sectors, particularly dairying, staff will move around to differing locations, meaning that the numbers of children can also change. If a prospective employee learns there is a problem with getting children to school, it might have a negative impact on them following through with a job application," says Hoggard.

Hoggard says there should be more flexibility around how the rural bus routes are approached, requiring a need for flexibility as circumstances change.

Money should be used to get the children to school, not be tied up in Wellington bureaucracy.

Manawatū Examples Highlight Transport Frustrations

"We've seen a huge range of examples near home here in the Manawatū, where parents in places like Opiki, Tokomaru and Ashhurst are being told that unless their child is going to a particular college in Palmerston North, then they are not allowed to get on the bus. Previously, all the kids, regardless of what college they were attending, would all get on the bus to Palmy, then get themselves to the final location," says Hoggard.

"The 2024 revision seems to have removed that flexibility."

"Taking a closer look doesn't need another review or working group - just a bit of common sense. Kids get to school, families save money, and farmers can get on with the job. We want diesel in tractors, not wasted on school runs that shouldn't be needed. This is a straightforward change that will take pressure off rural communities at a time when every dollar counts," Hoggard says.