A plan to slash the number of school buses in Tauranga has parents seeing red.
They fear children as young as six would have to catch three different public buses just to get to school if the council proposal goes ahead.
The cut would the number of school buses from 45 to just 11.
It means some children as young as six would have to catch three buses to get to school.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council member Fiona McTavish says the plan is to shift its spend away from schools, to beef up 'public' transport. And it says the plan would bring it into line with other regions.
"It allows us to have more buses, more frequently - and a greater network," she told Newshub.
But mum Karen McCabe says if the cut goes ahead, she will drive her children to school, "simple as that".
"I'm not going to put my child on a public bus to change buses three times."
Dad Michael Pugh agrees, telling Newshub, "I'm worried about the safety of the kids - changing buses multiple times, and crossing various roads".
Parents say a separate service is needed, because lots of Tauranga kids travel long distances to go to religious or single-sex schools.
The council is assessing the feedback and will make a decision at the end of the month.
Newshub.
