Edmonton school boards look at sharing bus service

For the first time Edmonton's two school boards are looking at transporting Catholic and public students on the same buses, in an effort to save money.

Edmonton Catholic Schools and Edmonton Public Schools are working on joint transportation plan to improve efficiency, reduce ride times and reduce costs for both districts.

"When you have two districts operating in the same city, I think it makes sense for us to find as many ways as we can to stretch each dollar as far as we can, to be as efficient and make sure we can put as much money towards school programming," said public board chairwoman Sarah Hoffman.

More than 8,500 public and 7,380 Catholic students ride on a yellow bus each day.

While most use the service because there is no school in their neighbourhood or to attend an alternative program, many others are bussed to special education programs.

Both boards will review the study results in early January 2014.