The extent and costs of alternative schemes for transport of school children in Norway

A model has been developed to estimate the costs of providing bus transport to school for children in various age groups. For 6-year old children the costs of providing bus transport at alternative distance limits of 4 and 2 kms have been estimated. The same distance limits were considered for children in the 7-9 age group. For children in the 13-15 age group, distance limits of 4 and 5 kms were considered. Costs will increase by about 28 mill NOK (4.4 mill USD) if the distance limit is reduced from 4 to 2 kms for 6 year old children. A similar change for 7-9 year old children will increase costs by about 79 mill NOK (12.3 mill USD). Increasing the distance limit from 4 to 5 kms for 13-15 year old children gives an annual cost saving of about 36 mill NOK (7.6 mill USD).