Newfoundland and Labrador’s transportation minister, Barry Petten, announced that shifting school start and end times across the province could generate an annual savings of $5 million to $6 million. The provincial government is currently seeking feedback from families on the newly proposed schedules.
Last week, NL Schools distributed a survey to parents discussing potential scheduling adjustments for dozens of local schools. Under the proposal, which would take effect in September 2027, some school start times could change by up to an hour.
Minister Petten explained that the revised schedules would implement a “double run” system, allowing the province to optimize its fleet and utilize fewer buses. Under this model, older students would start their school day later—a shift that academic studies suggest offers developmental and educational benefits for teenagers.
“This is a huge cost savings to government,” Petten said during an interview on CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show. He noted that operating a single school bus costs approximately $100,000 per year. “We’ve got to be able to deliver the same service and not cause too much disruption.”
Petten highlighted Conception Bay South as a local example of where the “double run” system has already been successfully utilized. He added that the retained funds could be redirected back into the education system to address critical issues like school maintenance.
While the minister acknowledged that the adjustments could create scheduling inconveniences for working parents reliant on child care, he emphasized that the government “owes it” to taxpayers to find a fiscal balance.
However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. NDP Leader Jim Dinn labeled the plan a “knee-jerk reaction” to the government’s 2023 decision to eliminate the 1.6-kilometer eligibility rule, which previously banned students living close to schools from using bus services.
Dinn stated that his office has already been flooded with concerns from families worried about the ripple effects on child care and household routines.
“The bottom line is that we cannot make cuts while maintaining services – this will fall on the backs of parents, students and educators,” Dinn warned.
