Many south-west families have been affected by state government policy changes to school bus accessibility for students.
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After The Standard’s story about 12-year-old Ella Wilsher being denied access to catch a bus home from school without her parents having to pay a $480-a-year fee, families from across the region have spoken out about their own issues with bus travel to and from schools.
Under the policy students must attend their nearest local government school, or pay a fee to catch a bus to their preferred school.
Taking to The Standard’s Facebook page, Brooke Dean said the policy had affected her family.
“We had the exact same thing,” she said.
“Our son had travelled on the country bus for five years but when we went to enrol our daughter (same school) last year, she was refused as the Terang school is two kilometres closer but the bus stop is 3.5km further away from our house and the Warrnambool bus stop is at our front door. (There’s) no common sense in these decisions.”
Kaylenda Anskaitis said she had been paying $200 each for two children per term for the bus to school.
“It's bloody crazy,” she said.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said a sensible approach to solve the problem was needed.
“This fiasco is another example of the city-centric Labor Government having no idea about regional Victoria and the unique issues families face getting their kids to school,” Mrs Britnell said.
“A common sense and flexible approach is needed for certain circumstances and this government has shown no mercy, they’ve got a hard line, one-size fits all approach and it just doesn’t work in the country. This has been something raised with me by impacted parents many times.”
She said she had discussed the issue with responsible authorities. “If elected in November, this is a problem we will fix,” she said.