(Unsplash photo)
While an expected date for the return of school transportation is expected anytime now, school boards have released a bit more information about the subsidy that will be given to families to help cover costs incurred during the time service was disrupted.
Bus operators and the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium announced Oct. 7 that they had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ in the contract dispute that has disrupted transportation since the start of school.
This application-based subsidy is determined from the distance from the designated bus stop to school. Those 0-10 kilometres away will receive $25 per week; 11-30 km $50; 31-50 km $75; 51-70 $100; and more than 71 $125.
Applications will be submitted through SchoolCash Online and reviewed by the school boards before being forwarded to Deloitte, the firm that will be managing the payment process.
Part of the application will include authorization for the school board to share the necessary personal information with Deloitte to process payments. Payments will be made by cheque and mailed to families.
Officials say one payment will be sent per family, and families will be able to include all students in their household as part of the application. There will also be a drop-down menu for families to indicate where students attend different schools within the district.
The first round of payments will be to cover the time students were without transportation in September and October and the subsidy will continue for any routes that do not run for a minimum of 10 consecutive days throughout the school year.
Students and families will be notified as soon as officials have confirmation that applications are open and available to be submitted.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)