This Petition is the result of an initiative of a large group of parents who have children attending various ESF schools throughout Hong Kong. 

School Bus Companies are eligible for support from the HK Government in the form of financial Subsidies (see here for further info: https://www.hkicpa.org.hk/en/News/COVID-19-CPA-Information-Centre/Government-relief-measures-Useful-information-for-accountants/Summary-of-Anti-epidemic-Fund-4 ) however many School Bus Companies have not taken fair and appropriate action to provide parents with some form of compensation - whether that be a partial refund, a discount, or a credit for the next round of school bus fees.  

Whilst we acknowledge and appreciate that Bus Companies have fixed & variable overheads and need to ensure the continuity of their businesses, and nobody wishes for any Bus Company to go bankrupt, nor does anyone wish for Bus Company Employees to suffer a loss of their livelihoods, it should also be acknowledged by Bus Companies that parents have paid in full for a service which is not being utilized. Furthermore, Bus Drivers and Bus Escorts are either not being paid at all, or are only being paid a small fraction of their normal wages. The vast majority of parents are of the view that if the Bus Companies continued to pay their employees in full, then there would be less concern about concessions being provided on the fees - as we all appreciate that Bus Company employees have families to feed too. 

It should be noted that several respectable Bus Companies (such as GRAND PROFIT TRANSPORTATION LIMITED and GLORY PRAISE LTD, for just two examples) have provided 30% to 50% discounts and/or are delivering various teaching materials to students whilst schools are closed. 

Parents of an ESF School in the Ma On Shan area have been particularly disgruntled by the lack of communication from the school bus company that services their school (we have been purposely vague so as to protect the reputation of the Bus Company and to provide the Bus Company with an opportunity to address client concerns) after dozens of parents have individually reached out to express their concerns. Rather than target any specific Bus Company(ies) with this Petition, we believe that it is appropriate for the ESF to express our concerns to the various Bus Companies that service each ESF School. 

If you are a parent of an ESF student who feels strongly that Bus Companies should be providing reasonable financial compensation (whether that be a partial refund, a discount on future services, or a credit towards the next round of school bus fees) then please sign this petition. 

Thank you