Limiting bus options a further barrier to education

IT is extremely discouraging to hear that changes to the peninsula bus schedule and route, to provide a service to Tahuna Intermediate, King’s High School and Queen’s High School, have not been approved and the concerns of local families are not being listened to.

School is compulsory for children. Many children, for a variety of reasons, struggle with attendance. Limited transport options become a further barrier.

A safe, costeffective and efficient bus service to and from school is a crucial element in supporting children to attend school.

Very few families, I believe, would find the current public bus service (requiring children to walk 1.7km and crossing several major intersections) an acceptable form of transport for their 10, 11 and 12yearold children to get to Tahuna Intermediate.

I certainly would not and will not when it comes time for my child to attend.

According to the ODT’s article of 17.1.18 (What Generation 2100 will see), ‘‘New Zealand is taking the issue of climate change seriously’’. What role does Dunedin play in this?

If we have a commitment to mitigating climate change, surely providing sustainable public transport options would be one of the first considerations.

Michelle Ashbury

Macandrew Bay

[Abridged]