A change to School District 91’s school bus schedule this year has caused more than a few disruptions for local businesses near Torrika Drive, which is located between P and B Feeds and the old Barn complex.
Bus route #401 used to make a stop at the Muriel Mould Neighbourhood Learning Centre, however the school district felt a change was necessary due to safety concerns.
Charlene Seguin, superintendent for School District 91 [she has recently taken over the job from Ray LeMoigne, who is working full time for the School District 91 business company] said the change was made as there was concerns that some parents may assume that supervision is provided for their children at the building.
“People might still view the building as a school .... it is no longer a school and parents may expect supervision, when there is none.”
She went on to say, “This is typical of all bus stops [no supervision], but because this one is outside of a building that used to house a school, expectations may be different. It was not a snap decision to move the bus stop,” she said.
School District 91 sourced several potential locations including the Lakes District Hospital and the Pentecostal Church, before deciding on the Torrika Drive location.
Seguin said before a decision was made School District 91 also contacted the Village of Burns Lake to ensure Torrika Drive was a public access area.
“We were assured it was, and for that reason we did not consult with the businesses in the area,” she said.
“The other locations were hilly, so Torrika Drive was the most probable location.”
According to Sequin, the bus stops at the far end of Torrika Drive, adjacent to the old Barn complex of businesses [such as Bagel Boy Cafe, Hobby Hut and ACI Computers].
She said this area was chosen for its ample parking and room for a bus. The area was also suitable because of the 50 kilometre an hour maximum speed allowed on Hwy. 16 in the area.
On any given school day, there is more than 25 children are dropped off and picked up from the site.
Business owners have raised concerns about the safety of the children unsupervised in the parking lot as well as parents leaving their vehicles idling while waiting for the bus to arrive.
There are also issues with parking spaces as parents park in and around the businesses parking lot, making it difficult for customers to access the businesses.
Sequin said she is aware of local business owners concerns and that she had received a couple of complaint letters.
“Kids were sitting along the walkway near the now closed Bagel Boy Cafe. They were asked to move to the bus stop parking area and they have done that,” she said.
She said reports also came in from a business owner that kids were climbing the rails outside the businesses and she said School District 91 had spoken to parents about the issue.
She said she is not aware of any local business owners raising concerns about parking or vehicles left idling.
“Some parents are not happy with the new location, but some parents are, so there is a balance there.”
After the concerns were raised last week, Darlene Turner, secretary treasurer for School District 91 took a trip from their office in Vanderhoof to Burns Lake to further investigate.
She is now working with Tracy Syrota, School District 91’s manager of transportation to review the bus stop.
Seguin said there is a possibility that the bus stop could be moved back to the original location at the Muriel Mould Learning Centre, but not before the matter is brought before the school district’s transportation committee for discussion, as well as calling a meeting with the parents of the students who use the bus.
“We will consider the option of moving the bus stop,” Seguin said.
Kal Rai, from Raikoti Properties Ltd. who is the owner of the building said to Lakes District News that he has also heard about the issue and has concerns.
He said the issue is not only effecting the businesses, but from his point of view it is a liability issue if someone is to be injured on the property.
He said the gravel area beside the building, where the bus pulls in and parks, and the area where the parents park is on privately owned property.
“I have heard it is very chaotic and there are cars and kids everywhere. It is a big issue.”
Rai said his brother has already been in contact with School District 91’s transportation department about the bus issue when business owners passed on their concerns and he plans to contact Seguin to request that changes be made.
“I will just have to keep calling until something is done about it. I hope they relocate the bus stop,” he added.