Q.  Why does Elk Island Public Schools charge fees for student transportation?
Alberta Education provides transportation funding for all eligible students to receive free transportation to their designated school. EIPS' Student Transportation provides a service to students throughout the division by offering to fill bus seats that are not required by designated students. Charging fees helps to recover a portion of the incremental cost of providing additional service to students. These are called Payride fees. Payride is a fee-based service that exceeds the transportation standards as outlined by Alberta Education.

Q.  What is a Supplemental Bus fee?
Effective the 2018-19 school year a supplemental bus fee applies to students who are accessing an additional bus. While we recognize the need for students requiring access to a second bus, this necessitates EIPS Student Transportation to hold a seat on a second bus that would otherwise not be required. In order to continue to maintain this level of service a fee has been established.

Q.  What is a designated school?
All students have a designated school that is determined with boundary areas set by the Board of Trustees. Students are directed to attend their designated school. Designated schools offer regular programming and are not schools of choice. Designated schools are usually, but not always, the closest school that offers regular programming to the residence of the student.

Q.  What is an eligible student?
Alberta Education defines eligible students for transportation funding as those residing greater than 2.39 km from their designated school. If an eligible student wishes to access EIPS' transportation, he/she will have no fee for busing to their designated school. Distance is calculated using a combination of roadways and walkways. It may not always match the driven distance of your family car.

Q.  What is an ineligible student?
An ineligible student is one who lives less than 2.4 km away from his/her designated school. If an ineligible student wishes to access EIPS' transportation, he/she is automatically subject to a Payride fee. Distance is calculated using a combination of roadways and walkways. It may not always match the driven distance of your family car.

Q.  What is a non-designated student?
A Non-designated student is defined as one who attends an EIPS' school other than his/her designated school. For example, students attending an alternative program such as Logos, Honours, or a Christian School are considered Non-designated students. Students who attend a language or language immersion program are not considered Non-designated students because the school providing the program automatically becomes the child's designated school. Students wishing to access Non-designated transportation are automatically subject to a Non-designated fee in addition to a Payride fee if they are ineligible.

Q.  How does EIPS determine the rates for student transportation fees?
Alberta Education provides funding for student transportation based on a student's eligibility.  EIPS sets Payride fees based on reasonableness of costs to parents, not on actual costs or funding rates incurred as this would make the cost of Payride services prohibitive. EIPS charges a fee to transport  students who are attending a non-designated school or are ineligible.  Parents will receive a letter in May indicating the amount of fees that are due for their child/children. All eligible students and those who have already paid their Student Transportation fees will receive a letter containing their e-Link Login information (to view bus pickup times) and bus pass by mid-August.

Q.  How do I pay my fees and when are they due?
Fees are due by June 30 of the school year prior to the year for which you require transportation services. They can be paid through our secure online payment page using VISA, Mastercard, direct debit (Interac), money order or in person at EIPS' Central Office. Cheques are not an accepted method of payment.
For fees paid after June 30 busing accommodation will depend on availability.

Q.  If I am a non-resident student but want to attend an EIPS school, do I have to pay the Non-Designated School Fee?
Non-resident students attending an EIPS' school will be subject to a fee. Refer to the Transportation Fee Schedule for specific rates.

Q. I want to apply for a fee waiver. How do I know if I am eligible?
Students attending a non-designated school will not be eligible for a fee waiver. If the student lives under 2.4km from their school, they may be eligible for a fee waiver and will have to apply through the application form. 

 *Last Updated May 1, 2018