Clarence Town Public School parents have been told they cannot have a bus service because of the cost

The school’s Parents and Carers Association has been working for years with bus company Sheltons to obtain the service.

But Transport NSW says the proposal “carries an excessive cost for the number of passengers who would benefit” and that “passengers would experience unnecessarily long journeys for short travel distances.”

The school’s P&C president Matt Brown said the situation was unacceptable.

“In regional and rural areas, it’s almost an intrinsic right that our children are given ready access to and from public schools,” he said.

“A family with school children in Clarence Town and surrounding rural areas can catch a school bus to no less than 8 schools in the district – just not to Clarence Town Public School. Unfortunately, NSW Transport refused the bus service purely on economic grounds.”

Mr Brown said the government needed to reconsider its decision.

“Clarence Town has the highest population growth in its respective local government area, with extensive rural residential developments,” he said.

“Within these areas, many families require a school bus service as they work in the nearby larger centres.

“We have been able to secure an Out of School Hours (OOSH) care service for next year and a bus service is equally as important. 

Responding to Transport NSW’s concern of “long journeys for short travel distances”, Mr Brown said the identified routes were no longer than 30 minutes. 

He said the government had made the “inconsequential and insulting offer” of the private vehicle conveyance rebate for eligible families.

“This just shows the government doesn’t get it – it’s not about the money it’s about the service and what socio-economic options it opens up for the community.”

Mr Brown said the P&C had appealed the decision and was receiving assistance from member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen, who supports the idea of the bus service for the school.