Howick and Pakuranga 10 sleeps until the Howick Santa Parade A NAME YOU CAN TRUST! Thursday, November 23, 2017
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Vol 46, No 47
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AT backs down on school bus cuts By THERESE HENKIN
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Colon cancer breakthrough P5
Times photo Wayne Martin
uckland Transport (AT) is backing down on school bus cuts after a backlash from parents. Earlier this month it was announced 16 east Auckland schools would be losing their school bus services, and alternate buses and routes were suggested for students. AT said on Tuesday that after hearing the concerns of the community, it is going to modify the plans for school bus routes and will re-consult on proposed changes to school bus routes in east Auckland. “We acknowledge the concerns of
the community, and that we could have done a better job in engaging with them earlier,” says AT spokesperson James Ireland. “After hearing those concerns we are proposing to modify the plans and reinstate buses for two schools – Howick Intermediate and Our Lady Star of the Sea – which previously were having services withdrawn completely. We are also altering a school bus route to better serve Botany Downs Primary.” “We are currently in contact with these schools and requesting they pass on the information to parents. “We are also talking to three
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other schools where parents have raised issues- Sacred Heart College, Baradene College and Somerville Intermediate and, if necessary, we will delay changes while we work through a solution – this may include keeping some existing services,” he says. Ireland says AT will go back to all other schools in east Auckland to again check that they are comfortable with the proposals. Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown support the decision by AT to pull back on their changes to school bus routes.
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“The safety of local children must not be compromised in the name of convenience, and parents have a right to be heard on such a significant change,” Brown said in a statement. “Many children who catch a school bus are familiar with their driver, their route, and their fellow students who travel with them, and this creates a safe environment for them to and from school.” Late last week Brown, Ross and Howick Local Board chair David Collings met AT and petitioned them to delay the changes. ➤ Turn to Page 3