Upcoming Student Transportation Changes
Feb 2, 2024
Dear Families,
Lakehead Public Schools, together with Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay and other school boards in Thunder Bay and surrounding area, were advised by the Ministry of Education of a new transportation funding formula in 2023. This new funding formula affects the student transportation capacity provided to school boards by Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay. Due to the funding formula imposed by the Government of Ontario, student transportation changes will be in effect beginning September 1, 2024 for all school boards serviced by Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay.
In the new funding formula developed by the Government of Ontario, most student transportation eligibility distances have been doubled from that of our current transportation eligibility distances.
As of September 1, 2024, the student transportation eligibility distances to and from school will be as follows:
• Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten: minimum 800 metres (current 400 metres)
• Grades 1 to 3: minimum 1.6 kilometres (current 800 metres)
• Grades 4 to 8: unchanged at 1.6 kilometres
• Grades 9 to 12: minimum 3.2 kilometres (current 1.6 kilometres)
The upcoming changes to transportation eligibility distances may affect families who reside less than these Government of Ontario distance funding standards. Local school boards and Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay understand that this news may present challenges for some families. It is our hope that the advanced notice prepares families for the upcoming change.
To learn more about transportation eligibility distances, please visit Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay at https://ststb.ca/en/schools/address-eligibility-lookup.
Thank you.
