Education Minister James Merlino has agreed to keep school bus services running from Nagambie and Avenal to Euroa Secondary College.

Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton spoke with Minister Merlino today to follow up concerns from Strathbogie Shire Councillors and the School that they had been advised the school buses would cease in 2020.

“There are 80 kids travelling to Euroa each day and stopping the buses posed a huge threat to the viability of the school and the stability of education for kids in Nagambie and Avenal,” said Mr Barton.

“We recently met with Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren, councillors and members of the Euroa Secondary College council who said they were very worried that if they lost the bus kids would no longer be able to attend the school.”

With no bus services children in Nagambie and Avenal would be forced to make other arrangements to travel via backroads through the Whroo Nature Conservation Reserve to reach the next closest school, Rushworth High, or head further south to Seymour.

“These country kids want to stay at their country school in Euroa and it makes no sense to stop services that have been running successfully for many many years,” said Mr Barton.

“I thank the Minister for seeing the Council and kids point of view and agreeing to keep these bus services running.”

ENDS