Sarah Oliver
Eynesbury mum Monique Marshall is questioning how she will get her son to school this year after she was informed the suburb’s school bus service was at capacity.
Ms Marshall’s son starts his first week of high school at Catholic Regional College (CRC) Melton this week. In preparation for the milestone, she put his name on the list for the bus service from Eynesbury to the school.
But two weeks ago, Ms Marshall and other parents in the area were told the service was at capacity and they would have to find alternative solutions.
“How are we going to get our kids to school?” she said.
“All kids should have the right to get to school.”
There are two buses that run from Eynesbury to a hub at Melton Secondary College where students disembark and take a second bus to their school.
The service is designed to support travellers attending Melton Secondary College, Staughton College, Kurunjang Secondary College and St Dominic’s Primary School.
However, 13 eligible students, five of whom attend government schools, have been waitlisted this year, with all of the seats on the service taken.
For a new service application to be made to the Department of Education, at least 15 students (of which 11 must attend government schools) are required.
Ms Marshall took the issue to Melton MP Steve McGhie who has been in contact with the Department of Education to help find a solution.
“I have ensured that the Department of Education is aware of this issue and they are monitoring transport pressures in the growing Eynesbury area,” Mr McGhie said.
“I’ve been advised that Melton Secondary College is working with other schools in the area to see where capacity can be made available to support the eligible waitlisted students.
“Each school will be notified of their waitlisted students to encourage those families to seek alternative arrangements if spare capacity is not available.”
CRC Melton principal Marlene Jorgensen said the college had no control over the bus service from Eynesbury to Melton.
“We are aware of the issue, however the bus service is arranged via Melton Secondary College and is a state government-run service. As such government school students have priority for allocated seats.”
The Department of Education was contacted for comment.
