Dec. 10, 2019
Dear Parents,
Earlier today, you should have received a 2019-20 budget update from the CBE including information about mid-year changes to transportation fees and the Calgary Transit rebate.
The information below provides more detail. If the following information does not apply to you and your family, please disregard.
For the 2019-20 school year, all general transportation yellow school bus riders will be charged a fee of $365.
For some families, this is the fee you were expecting. For the 6,000 students whowere previously eligible for fee-free transportation, you will now be charged $365. This fee is retroactive to the start of the 2019-20 school year.
To minimize the impact on families, we are using $5 million of our Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal Funding (IMR) to offset the $8 million reduction in transportation funding.
Families who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to apply for a waiver. We encourage families who do not qualify for a waiver to use one of our
flexible payment options.
The Calgary Transit rebate has also been cancelled for the 2019-20 school year.
Please read on for more information about when fees are due, how to pay, and how to cancel your transportation service.
2019-20 Transportation Fees
Transportation service levels for the majority of CBE students will be similar to the current school year. Please note individual routes may be updated throughout the remainder of theyear due to our regular process. We will continue to ensure the delivery of safe and efficient transportation for students.
Yellow School Bus Fees*
| Students in the regular program, attending their designated school | $365 |
| Students in an alternative program, attending their designated school | $365 |
| Conditional riders | $365 |
| Students in specialized programs who can use general transportation services | $365 |
*2019-20 transportation fees are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees as part of the CBE Budget on Jan. 7, 2020.
Calgary Transit
All Grade 6-12 students assigned to Calgary Transit are responsible for purchasing monthly bus passes at a cost of $77/month.
For the 2019-20 school year, the transit rebate program has been discontinued.
Families who experience financial hardship are able to apply for the Fair Entry Program through the City of Calgary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the fee changing for students who were fee free?
A: We are adjusting transportation fees mid-year for general transportation riders who were fee free while maintaining overall service levels for 2019-20. This is necessary due to the elimination of $8 million in provincial government funding.
Q: When can I pay the fee?
A: Fees can be paid using MyCBE / PowerSchool after Jan. 7, 2020. We expect all fees to be accurately reflected in accounts at the end of January. An email will be sent informing families when all accounts are accurate.
Please note that the MyCBE/PowerSchool system will be unavailable from
Dec. 20 – 27, 2019. This is to accommodate scheduled system maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Q: What financial assistance is available for students who pay fees for yellow school bus services?
A: Families who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to apply for a waiver. We encourage families who do not qualify for a waiver to use one of our flexible payment options.
Q: How do I cancel?
A: Families are able to cancel by Jan.14, 2020 using MyCBE / PowerSchool with no financial penalty.
Q: Why was the Calgary Transit rebate cancelled?
A: The rebate was introduced as a part of Bill 1: An Act to Reduce School Fees in 2016. The legislation and related funding were removed, and we are unable to continue offering the program.
Q: What financial assistance is available for students using Calgary Transit?
A: Families who experience financial hardship are able to apply for the Fair Entry Program through the City of Calgary.
Q: Why did it take you so long to make these changes?
A: The CBE received its budget from Alberta Education on Oct. 24. We needed time to review the detail and explore options to maintain service levels and keep fees as low as possible. We appreciate your patience.
