Several Acton parents are frustrated by the sudden termination of a school bus route between their neighbourhood and McKenzie-Smith Bennett School (MSB).
The change for students living south of Queen Street, east of Churchill Road South will take effect in in September. They were notified in a letter earlier this month from Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS), which oversees bussing on behalf of the local school boards.
The HSTS told parents that two intersections along Queen Street – Tanners Drive and Churchill Road – “have undergone a reassessment.”
They stated further that they “determined these intersections do not meet the eligibility criteria” for an exemption to provide bussing - a measure that's been in place for over a decade.
“I think that's why all the parents are kind of blindsided right now,” said Acton parent Cheryl Querel. "I will have to figure out a way to get my son to and from school every day. My husband and I, we both work full time and my son is not able to walk independently.”
In order for children between junior kindergarten and grade eight to qualify for bus transportation, they must live further than 1.6 km away from the school. Many of the families don’t meet the criteria, according to the HSTS. The transportation provider granted an exemption to the area because of specific circumstances.
“The transportation exemption has been removed because walking conditions are no longer considered hazardous due to roadway improvements and enhancements,” HDSB Superintendent Roxana Negoi said in an emailed statement.
The HSTS declined to comment on questions sent by HaltonHillsToday.
Exemptions such as this one can be given in cases of things like non-contiguous sidewalks or the absence of controlled intersections. The HSTS’ website also lists whether railway tracks are properly signalized, as well as speed limits as factors. The HSTS may review student eligibility on an annual basis.
These parents have expressed particular anxiety with the major driveways and intersections their kids will have to cross to get to school. Along the Churchill Road South route to MSB is the entrance to the Acton wastewater treatment plant, apartment building driveways, ambulance and fire stations, and driveways for a local plaza.
Parents are most concerned about their children navigating the high traffic volumes of Queen Street, which is also known as Hwy. 7 – a major arterial road.
Negoi said the HDSB recognizes “this is a big change for students and parents/guardians in this community. We are exploring measures to support families with this transition.”
The HDSB has requested a meeting between the Town of Halton Hills and Halton Regional Police to, Negoi says, “advocate for further traffic calming, signage and enforcement measures for the arterial roads surrounding the school.”
Some parents have said they would like to see additional crossing guards along Queen Street.
“There's only one existing [crossing guard] in front of Tim Hortons,” said parent Laura McDonald.
With one of her children starting kindergarten in the fall, McDonald also has concerns about the 1.5-km long trek they would be expected to make to school, in the absence of a bus.
“It's not something that's manageable for a child to walk that distance in kindergarten."