The purpose of this petition is to draw awareness and to change the unfair walking distance regulations that the Sudbury School Bus Consortium (SSBC) has imposed on our elementary students.

In particular, we must force change to the following distance regulations that are currently in place:

1.  Students in Grades 1-3 must walk to school if their bus pick up address is less than 1 km from their school.

2.  Students in Grades 4-8 must walk to school if their bus pickup address is less than 1.6 km (1 mile) from their school.

These regulations impose serious safety hazards to our children, such as walking on streets where the City of Greater Sudbury does not clear the sidewalks in winter, and having to cross busy intersections, in some cases without a crossing guard  present!  There are other hazards out there for these young children, such as the risk of a stranger approaching them, or even worse.  We have to face facts that our society has changed, and we need to ensure that our children are safe. 

Therefore, I am asking that all concerned parents sign this petition, to ensure our voices are heard and to have these regulations lifted or changed to accomodate safe transportation for all students to and from school.  Our tax dollars pay for this service, and most buses are not full, yet our children are forced to walk over a mile at 9 and 10 years old! 

Please sign to show your support for having these regulations changed!