The provincial government is providing Boundary School District with $416,974 for the purchase of 3 new school buses, and the School District 53 Okanagan-Similkameen with $109,477 for the purchase of one new smaller sized bus.

“These 4 new school buses will save the school districts of Boundary and Okanagan Similkameen money that can be invested back into the classroom,” Said Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson. “I am so pleased to see these two districts receiving new school buses that will keep students in our communities safe during their trip to and from school.”

The Boundary School District will purchase three buses that can transport more than 80 students, and the local district will purchase a bus that can transport 61-77 students.

The 4 new buses will be delivered next spring. Group purchases net a saving of about 15%.

All totalled, the provincial government is providing $11 million to 31 school districts to purchase 96 buses.

For replacement to be funded a bus needs to be on a regular route to school, and have met or exceeded the following criteria regarding age mileage:

o   80 plus passenger buses – 15 years or 400,000 km

o   34 to 76 passenger buses – 12 years or 325,000 km