Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has welcomed the NSW Government announcement that Clarence Town Public School will have a dedicated school bus service from next week.
“I want to thank Clarence Public School Parents and Citizens Association for raising the school’s need for this important service and giving me the opportunity to take up the case on their behalf with the state government,” Mr Layzell said.
“Confirmation that Sheltons Bus Service has been awarded the Transport of NSW contract to provide the service is a great win for the people of the Dungog shire.”
Clarence Town Public’s P&C has been actively campaigning for a number of years to have the service introduced, working with Sheltons to provide the justification for Transport to draw up a contract.
“There was such enthusiasm for this service that a large proportion of families had applied for a School Travel Pass prior to the end of the 2022 school year,” Mr Layzell said.
“Parents, carers and the children have spent more than a year patiently waiting for a trial so they could prove that there is a need for this bus.
“Clarence Town is a growing community but, as the P&C highlighted, it was neither reasonable or safe to expect children to walk between home and their school.”
The first Sheltons Clarence Town Public School bus service will carry up to 70 students on Thursday 1 February – Day 1 of Term 1 of the 2024 school year.
“I acknowledge the assistance of Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison and look forward to continuing to work with Minister Aitchison to finalise the funding for Dungog Shire Council’s new bridge over the Williams River so construction can commence as soon as possible,” Mr Layzell added.
PICTURE CAPTION: Dave Layzell MP with Clarence Town Public School students at the school presentation day in December 2023.
