A new funding formula imposed through the Ministry of Education will result in changes this fall for students taking the bus.

Officials with Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay say for some students eligibility distances will be doubled.

• Junior and Senior Kindergarten – minimum of 800 metres – currently 400 metres
• Grades 1 to 3 – minimum 1.6km – currently 800 metres
• Grades 4 to 8 – unchanged – current 1.6km
• Grades 9 to 12 – minimum 3.5km – current 1.6km

Three boards will be affected in the region including The Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales, Thunder Bay Catholic
District School Board, and Lakehead Public Schools.

Officials with STSTB acknowledge these changes may impact familes who live less than the Government of Ontario distance funding standards, and say both school boards and the consortium understand this may present challenges for some families, however they hope with advanced notice families will be able to prepare for the change.

The changes will come into effect on September 1st.