From December 10th 2017 Auckland Transport are cancelling most school bus services in East Auckland. Currently there are many school bus services run by Auckland Transport that originate or depart from East Auckland schools  with routes around local neighbourhoods. This service reduces traffic congestion around schools in peak traffic times and allows parents and caregivers the opportunity for extra time in their work days as they do not have to plan to be at school early to secure a park to pick up children.

The removal of this service will increase the risk to children  as there will be more traffic congestion around schools at pick up and drop off times. It will also increase the amount of cars on the road in East Auckland at this time and result in a loss of productivity for families who rely on the school bus service to accomodate their working hours. 

Auckland Transport proposes that children should instead catch public buses, not a realistic option for younger primary aged children and for older pupils this will result in a significant cost increase, double in some cases, creating financial pressures for families who have no choice but to use the bus service. 

Many families have children at more than one school in East Auckland and it is not logistically feasible to coordinate drop offs  and pick ups at two schools at the same time. They rely on this service to enable their children to attend school. 

The removal of these services will particularly impact children who attend schools not within walking distance of their homes, larger catchment schools such as intermediates and high schools and pupils attending independent and private schools. 

Please support this petition, to get this service that meets many needs in our community, reinstated.