WA schools say changes to bus services threaten their future

A cut to support for transport given to students in regional Western Australia is hurting enrolments, principals say, with one school warning the change could ultimately lead to its closure.

Students at the six affected schools in the South West and Great Southern region had enjoyed support from the Public Transport Authority's (PTA) transport assistance policy, which gives them access to an orange school bus or a transport allowance.

After a review, the PTA has since deemed some students at the schools ineligible for the support, but said it would maintain the policy until they finished their schooling.

"However, new students attending these schools residing within designated Public Transport Areas will no longer be considered eligible," a spokesperson said.

The students would be able to access bus services as "complimentary passengers" if there was capacity and time available on routes, the spokesperson added.

To be eligible for the transport support, students must meet criteria including attending their nearest appropriate government or non-government school.

'Cease to exist'

Woodbury Boston Primary School is one of the schools affected.

Located between Albany and Denmark, about 438 kilometres south of Perth, the primary school offers small class sizes and nature-based education for families seeking an alternative to mainstream schooling.

Almost 90 per cent of its students rely on public transport and the school estimates two-thirds would not be eligible for the bus after the review.

"A lot of the kids who come to our school have been to other nearby schools and it hasn't worked out for them," school principal Nick Lynch said.

"They've either found it very stressful or anxious about the way the school met their needs."

Mr Lynch said the PTA's changes meant he would likely have to close the school once the current cohort moved up to high school.

"Unless there's some agreement that's met, we'll probably cease to exist,"

he said.

In Bunbury, SEDA College is facing a similar predicament.

The college offers an emphasis on pathways into sports and trades.

Principal Rocky Collins said about 40 per cent of students enrolled for 2027 would be affected.

"We've got a range of other families who have yet to enrol or have actually withdrawn their enrolment due to their uncertainties," he said.

"Our primary concern is for students and families who are now facing uncertainty regarding transport access while making important decisions about their senior secondary education."

Affected schoolsLocation South West John Calvin Christian CollegeCapelSEDA College WA BunburyChild Side SchoolBoyanupKwoorabup Nature SchoolDenmarkWoodbury Boston Primary SchoolKronkupMargaret River Independent SchoolForest Grove

'Extra stress'

Greens MP Jess Beckerling said she wanted the transport assistance reinstated.

"Families all over WA and especially in regional areas know that we absolutely rely on school buses, there's just no way that you can get your kid to the school and also get to work on time if you didn't have access to these services," she said.

"There's no need to be adding this extra stress on families, let's just make sure these kids can get to the school they need to be going to."

Association of Independent Schools of WA (AISWA) executive director Chris Massey said the group was working with the state government to find a solution.

"Families should not have to choose between the right education for their child and the ability to get there," he said.

"Without transport support, some will be unable to access schools that best meet their needs."