The Ministry of Education has defended its decision to cut a popular north Taieri school bus run, saying a large number of ineligible school pupils have been using the government-funded service.
The decision has angered schools and parents in the Mosgiel-Taieri area, who say it presents a major safety issue for pupils.
Ministry of Education resourcing group manager John Clark said route 8202 (North Taieri) would be withdrawn, as the majority of pupils using the service lived within 3.2km of Silverstream School, and the remaining pupils lived within Elmgrove School's transport entitlement zone.
The route would be terminated at the end of next term as there were not enough pupils eligible for transport on that service, he said.
Silverstream School principal Elizabeth Cleverly said the bus service was given to both Silversteam and Elmgrove schools by the ministry when it merged and closed several schools during the 2004 Mosgiel-Taieri schools review.
"It was a special agreement. Now, we have lost that service without any discussion with the Ministry of Education."
Elmgrove School principal Jenny McDonald said it was disappointing the schools had to "fall in line" with the rest of the country.
"We all feel like we've been manipulated so we would agree to the merger."
Miss Cleverly said about 70 pupils from both schools would be affected by the service cut.
"In the north Taieri, it's often more difficult to get kids to school because a lot of parents don't have as good an access to transport.
"Kids will have to cross busy roads and walk in open-speed zones to get to school, and the lack of footpaths is a major safety concern.
"Let's not put barriers in place in getting kids to school when there doesn't need to be."
However, Mr Clark defended the decision.
The ministry may provide school transport assistance, subject to age, distance, and public transport criteria, but it is not a door-to-door service.
"Parents and caregivers are ultimately responsible for getting their children to and from school," he said.
"Bus routes are designed to carry eligible students.
"If bus routes are operating outside of ministry route design or student eligibility rules, they are brought back in line with policy.
"In some cases, this means a bus route may no longer be provided.
"Any affected eligible students would then receive a conveyance allowance. The eligibility criteria are applied nationally."
He said school bus routes were designed based on information provided by schools.
If caregivers believed the ministry had based the route amendments on incorrect data, he said they should ensure their schools were aware of the errors, and schools could forward the concerns to the ministry.
"If the ministry has made a mistake and the route amendments are not correct, then the ministry will re-review the routes."
Mr Clark said the principals and the board of trustees chairmen were invited to make contact if they had questions.
Miss Cleverly said both schools had since been in touch and were yet to hear back from the ministry.
