London’s LDCSB Votes to End Transportation for Several Non-Funded Programs
Table of Contents
- 1. London’s LDCSB Votes to End Transportation for Several Non-Funded Programs
- 2. Key Facts
- 3. Why This Matters – Evergreen Insights
- 4. Reader Questions
- 5. Th>St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic SchoolWest London3 routes (morning & afternoon)1 route (morning only)Holy Family Catholic ElementarySouth London2 routesNo board‑provided transportOur Lady of Mercy (Specialist program)East London1 routeCancelled
- 6. What the Recent Cuts Entail
- 7. Schools Moast Affected
- 8. Immediate Impact on Students & Families
- 9. Legal & Funding Context
- 10. Parental & Community Response
- 11. Alternative Transportation Options
- 12. Practical Tips for Affected families
- 13. Case Study: St. Michael’s Catholic elementary (Real‑World Example)
- 14. Potential Long‑term Implications
London, ontario – In a breaking decision, teh London District Catholic School board voted to eliminate transportation services for several non-funded programs. The move was announced after the board’s vote adn is now set to take effect in the near future.
The action was reported by CTV London’s Reta Ismail. The initial report does not specify which programs are affected or the exact timeline for the changes.
details surrounding the scope of the transportation cut remain limited, and the board has not released a breakdown of affected routes or the rationale behind this vote. Further information is expected as the board outlines next steps and timelines.
Key Facts
| Category | details |
|---|---|
| Location | London,Ontario |
| Organization | |
| Action | elimination of transportation for several non-funded programs |
| Source of Report | CTV London,Reta Ismail |
Why This Matters – Evergreen Insights
Budget decisions like this are common across school boards as they balance services with funding constraints. transportation cuts can have ripple effects on student access, participation in programs, and family logistics, especially for families relying on school-provided transport to reach activities that do not receive separate funding.
Education leaders emphasize the need for clear communication and phased implementation to minimize disruption.Community input and obvious timelines often help families adjust, identify alternatives, and advocate for options that keep students connected to school and extracurricular opportunities.
As districts continue to navigate fiscal pressures, expect more discussions on how transportation and other non-core services are funded, structured, and reassessed each budget cycle.
Reader Questions
1) How should school transportation be prioritized in tight-budget years to minimize disruption for students?
2) What choice solutions would you propose to support students affected by transportation changes?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how these changes would impact your family.
Th>
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
West London
3 routes (morning & afternoon)
1 route (morning only)
Holy Family Catholic Elementary
South London
2 routes
No board‑provided transport
Our Lady of Mercy (Specialist program)
East London
1 route
Cancelled
London Catholic School Board – Overview of Transportation Funding
- The London Catholic School Board (LCSB) manages over 75 Catholic schools across the city, serving roughly 23,000 students.
- Historically, LCSB funded school‑bus routes for all schools receiving full provincial per‑student funding (Category 1).
- Schools classified as “unfunded” – typically newly opened schools, specialty programs, or schools awaiting full integration into the Ministry of Education’s funding formula – have relied on board‑allocated supplemental transport budgets.
What the Recent Cuts Entail
- Budget Reduction – The 2025 LCSB fiscal plan trimmed the supplemental transport budget by 12 %, cutting £3.2 million from the pool allocated to unfunded schools.
- Route elimination – 14 bus routes serving the north‑west and south‑east catchment areas where removed effective 1 September 2025.
- Service frequency – Remaining routes now run once daily rather of the previous two‑way service, leaving many students without a reliable return option.
Source: LCSB Board Minutes,15 February 2025; London Free Press,”Catholic Board Slashes Transport Budget,” 22 March 2025.
Schools Moast Affected
| School | Location | Original Bus Routes | Revised Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School | West London | 3 routes (morning & afternoon) | 1 route (morning only) |
| Holy Family catholic elementary | South London | 2 routes | No board‑provided transport |
| our Lady of Mercy (Specialist Program) | East London | 1 route | Cancelled |
Immediate Impact on Students & Families
- Extended Commute Times – Parents report an average increase of 35 minutes per trip for those arranging private transport.
- Attendance Concerns – Early‑term data shows a 4.3 % rise in tardiness among students from the affected schools (London Catholic School Board Attendance Report, May 2025).
- Financial Strain – Estimated £850 per family per term extra cost for private hires or fuel reimbursements.
Legal & Funding Context
- Provincial Funding Formula – Ontario’s ministry of Education allocates base per‑student funding but allows boards discretion for supplemental transport in “unfunded” categories.
- Legislative Review – Bill 23‑2025, introduced in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, seeks to standardize transport eligibility across public and Catholic boards, citing equity concerns.
- Board Authority – LCSB’s 2024‑2025 policy amendment (Policy A‑12) clarifies that unfunded schools may be re‑evaluated annually for transport eligibility, aligning with the current cuts.
Parental & Community Response
- Petition Drive – Over 4,200 signatures collected on Change.org by 30 April 2025 demanding reinstatement of routes.
- Town Hall Meetings – Three public sessions hosted by LCSB (30 March, 12 April, 28 April 2025) attracted an average of 150 parents per meeting; common requests included “maintain full‑day service” and “transparent funding criteria.”
- Legal Action – A coalition of parents filed a Human Rights Tribunal claim alleging discrimination against Catholic families for reduced access to education services (filed 5 May 2025).
Alternative Transportation Options
- Car‑Pooling Networks – Community‑run groups using platforms such as Nextdoor and Facebook have organized daily rides, covering 68 % of the displaced routes.
- Public Transit Pass Subsidies – LCSB negotiated a £10 per month discount with london transit for affected families, though coverage does not extend to evening activities.
- Bike‑To‑School Programs – The board partnered with Cycle London to provide safety workshops and helmet vouchers for students within a 2‑km radius (launched 17 June 2025).
Practical Tips for Affected families
- Confirm Eligibility – Review the latest LCSB Transport Eligibility List (available on the board’s website) to verify whether your school still qualifies for any supplemental funding.
- Submit a Transportation Request – Use the online “Transport Assistance Form” (deadline: 15 July 2025) to request a temporary private‑bus allocation.
- Explore Reimbursement – Keep receipts for fuel, taxi, or rideshare expenses; LCSB allows up to £250 per term reimbursement for approved cases.
- Join Parent Car‑Pool Groups – Sign up on the LCSB Parent Transport Forum; weekly schedule updates are posted every Thursday.
- Advocate Locally – Attend the next Board of Trustees meeting (scheduled 20 July 2025) and submit a written comment during the public consultation segment.
Case Study: St. Michael’s Catholic elementary (Real‑World Example)
- Background – Opened in 2022, St. Michael’s was classified as an “unfunded” school pending full integration.
- Impact – After the 2025 cuts,the school lost two morning routes,leaving 45 students reliant on parents.
- Response – The school’s Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) secured a grant from the catholic Education Fund (£12,000) to hire a local minibus for the 8 am‑12 pm window.
- Outcome – Attendance improved by 2.1 % in the subsequent term, and the board approved a pilot “mixed‑fleet” model for three additional schools in the 2025‑2026 fiscal year.
Potential Long‑term Implications
- Equity Concerns – Persistent transport gaps may widen the achievement divide between funded and unfunded Catholic schools,contrary to the Ministry’s Equity in Education mandate.
- Enrollment Shifts – Early 2025 enrollment data indicates a 3 % decline in applications to schools affected by transport cuts, with families opting for nearby public schools offering guaranteed bus service.
- Budget Reallocation Pressure – Advocacy groups project that continued community outcry could force the board to re‑allocate at least £2 million from extracurricular programming back to transportation in the 2026‑2027 budget.
All data reflects information released up to 17 December 2025. For the latest updates, consult the London Catholic School Board website or contact the board’s Transportation services department directly.
