OMG - it's almost 700 dollars for dd's Bus Pass!

[DisGirlAllie]

Here (NoVA), my high school is across the street so I just walk. But when I get my license my parents want me to get a parking pass-which costs $250 for the school year. And it's raffle drawn so I might end up paying $250 for a crappy spot

And yes, hopefully she'll love the thought of setting a trend with the HP lanyard. Heck, I'd wear it!

 

[Magpie]

Our USA school costs seem far superior to Canada from this thread!

Don't know about that... my husband was just telling me about something he saw on CNN about schools having to cut budgets and parents being forced to buy things like plastic forks, paper plates, toilet paper, all sorts of basic supplies for the schools.

The show was all about less teachers, larger class sizes, less money for programs, leading to increased requests for other funding. And these were all different school boards around the country.

And to be fair - this is not a school cost, as much as it is a transit cost, which is a municipal matter and probably varies from city to city in Canada. I love having a transit system, but I think ours is badly run and unreasonably expensive. And they're threatening another strike next spring!

 

[Magpie]

I'm assuming you go to school 180 days like we do. That's $1.90/ride, $3.80/day.

Well, that's cheaper than the $7.00 a day it would cost if she was paying cash.

Here are the things I'd be asking myself:

Is driving her an option?
Can you drive her for that amount? Including the value of your time?
Once you have two kids, would it then be worth driving them?
If you agree to drive them, do they have the option of buying just one day here and there when you're not available?

I can't drive, due to my eyes. So driving them myself is not an option.

Do you have neighbors with whom you could car-pool, thus lowering the number of times you'd have to drive?

Nope, the kids here all go to different schools, and none of them go to the school my children go to. That's what happens when you have the choice of French Public, English Public, French Catholic, English Catholic, and all the various Privates, as well as Arts magnets, French Immersion, Alternative, Gifted, etc...

Do you have plans to buy her a car when she gets her license? How would that stack up against the bus passes?

We are absolutely not buying either kid a car.

Knowing that you have TWO family members taking the bus, it might be worth figuring out whether it'd be worthwhile for your husband to drive (even paying the parking) rather than pay TWO bus fares.

And the numbers might be different still when your younger child goes to high school. I'm thinking that expensive bus fare for THREE might just be more expensive than parking for your husband.

That's definitely something to think about! The only problem is that school lets out at 3pm and my husband doesn't get off work until 5 or 6, depending on the day. Sometimes it's even later. We'll have to see how it goes.

I'd have her attach it to her bookbag, then tuck it inside a pocket before she zips it. She's going to carry the bookbag every day anyway.

I'm kinda worried about her leaving her book bag on the bus... She's enough of a daydreamer that I was thinking about sewing her name and address in everything, actually.

On the other hand, she did just manage 2 weeks in Europe, wearing a fanny pack and only losing her wallet ONCE. And thankfully she got it back intact, because the shopkeeper picked it up and kept it safe. So there may be hope for her.

I just informed her that if she loses her pass, she'll be wearing the replacement pass around her neck like the Very Special People who ride the bus downtown every morning. Her eyes got very wide at that, and she promised to be careful.

 

[barkley]

Well, that's cheaper than the $7.00 a day it would cost if she was paying cash.



I can't drive, due to my eyes. So driving them myself is not an option.



Nope, the kids here all go to different schools, and none of them go to the school my children go to. That's what happens when you have the choice of French Public, English Public, French Catholic, English Catholic, and all the various Privates, as well as Arts magnets, French Immersion, Alternative, Gifted, etc...



We are absolutely not buying either kid a car.



That's definitely something to think about! The only problem is that school lets out at 3pm and my husband doesn't get off work until 5 or 6, depending on the day. Sometimes it's even later. We'll have to see how it goes.



I'm kinda worried about her leaving her book bag on the bus... She's enough of a daydreamer that I was thinking about sewing her name and address in everything, actually.

On the other hand, she did just manage 2 weeks in Europe, wearing a fanny pack and only losing her wallet ONCE. And thankfully she got it back intact, because the shopkeeper picked it up and kept it safe. So there may be hope for her.

I just informed her that if she loses her pass, she'll be wearing the replacement pass around her neck like the Very Special People who ride the bus downtown every morning. Her eyes got very wide at that, and she promised to be careful.

does she have to show it, swipe it, or just wave it over something (like it has a barcode)?

if it does'nt have to be swiped you might look into these things that they sell at the universities and office stores near us. it's a plastic holder that's solid on one side but the other side is more framed so that a card that has a barcode can still be waved over a processor (like when you buy stuff at the grocery stores). the holder is attached to a lanyard type thing that's on a small roller so it extends out, but then winds back up (similar to the type worn on a belt for large key rings). the contraption can be attached to a backpack so that when you get on the bus you just pull it outward, then it goes back to hang in place.

i've seen students and staff use small zip ties to attach them to their backpacks.

 

[tvguy]

I won't get into the healthcare debate, because I don't really understand the dynamics of yours, as surely you don't ours. .

Sadly, I'm too familiar with the bad aspects of the Canadian health care system. My mom is from Canada, so I have lots of family there.
The waits to see a specialist are unacceptably long.
My cousin had a sad incident with the birth of his daughter because of this, left her in a vegetative state. He sued, and the the dollar terms of the settlement are sealed. Only thing I know is the government was ordered to pay for 24 hour in home care, and to fly his daughter to the U.S. for all medical care, and pay for that care. She passed away last year, right after turning 17.

 

[Northstar]

Sadly, I'm too familiar with the bad aspects of the Canadian health care system. My mom is from Canada, so I have lots of family there.
The waits to see a specialist are unacceptably long.
My cousin had a sad incident with the birth of his daughter because of this, left her in a vegetative state. He sued, and the the dollar terms of the settlement are sealed. Only thing I know is the government was ordered to pay for 24 hour in home care, and to fly his daughter to the U.S. for all medical care, and pay for that care. She passed away last year, right after turning 17.

Honey, look. Not trying to be mean or anything, but when Mommasita posted that she wouldn't get into the healthcare debate because we don't understand each other's systems, that was a polite way of saying "this thread is not about health care, universal health care, health care costs, or which system is better."

It's quite annoying that Canadians can't post anything on the community board without somebody trying to make it about health care. Please don't hijack the thread!

 

[Magpie]

Sadly, I'm too familiar with the bad aspects of the Canadian health care system. My mom is from Canada, so I have lots of family there.
The waits to see a specialist are unacceptably long.
My cousin had a sad incident with the birth of his daughter because of this, left her in a vegetative state. He sued, and the the dollar terms of the settlement are sealed. Only thing I know is the government was ordered to pay for 24 hour in home care, and to fly his daughter to the U.S. for all medical care, and pay for that care. She passed away last year, right after turning 17.

I moved to Canada in 1980, as a child, leaving most of my family back in the US, and I've got the opposite point of view. The Canadian healthcare saved my mother's life, when we were poor and without insurance. I've heard my mother-in-law thanking heaven she's Canadian because she's been able to have both knees replaced and she doesn't have to sell her home to get it done.

Closest to my heart, my daughter was born with a disfiguring birthmark on her face. She's been able to have her surgeries done with no questions asked. Children in similar situations in the US often have to go on TV and beg strangers to donate money for similar surgeries.

I'm sorry for your cousin, truly I am! But the US system has horror stories, too. People die from lack of care there, too. Personally, I'm glad I live in Canada, but that doesn't mean I don't respect your point of view.

We don't actually have to debate this, because I know where I stand and I'm not changing my mind. I don't expect you to, either.

 

[Magpie]

does she have to show it, swipe it, or just wave it over something (like it has a barcode)?

if it does'nt have to be swiped you might look into these things that they sell at the universities and office stores near us. it's a plastic holder that's solid on one side but the other side is more framed so that a card that has a barcode can still be waved over a processor (like when you buy stuff at the grocery stores). the holder is attached to a lanyard type thing that's on a small roller so it extends out, but then winds back up (similar to the type worn on a belt for large key rings). the contraption can be attached to a backpack so that when you get on the bus you just pull it outward, then it goes back to hang in place.

i've seen students and staff use small zip ties to attach them to their backpacks.

Thanks! I'll look into that.

 

[dejr_8]

Honey, look. Not trying to be mean or anything, but when Mommasita posted that she wouldn't get into the healthcare debate because we don't understand each other's systems, that was a polite way of saying "this thread is not about health care, universal health care, health care costs, or which system is better."

It's quite annoying that Canadians can't post anything on the community board without somebody trying to make it about health care. Please don't hijack the thread!

And my comment wasn't about the quality of Canadian healthcare it was about the fact that nothing im life is truly free. Since there is a limited pool of funds, some things may appear to be "free" but in reality you are just paying for them via another route.

 

[golfgal]

Here (NoVA), my high school is across the street so I just walk. But when I get my license my parents want me to get a parking pass-which costs $250 for the school year. And it's raffle drawn so I might end up paying $250 for a crappy spot

And yes, hopefully she'll love the thought of setting a trend with the HP lanyard. Heck, I'd wear it!

Why do your parents want you to drive across the street?

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Why do your parents want you to drive across the street?

I'm actually not sure. I think it's mostly for the winter months, it gets pretty cold here. And, I'll most likely end up getting a job or volunteering at the hospital after school. To get to those, it will most likely be easier to just go to those straight from school.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

And my comment wasn't about the quality of Canadian healthcare it was about the fact that nothing im life is truly free. Since there is a limited pool of funds, some things may appear to be "free" but in reality you are just paying for them via another route.

Don't most things happen that way? Like in the public school system: taxes go to buses, teacher salaries, etc.

 

[cm8]

Don't most things happen that way? Like in the public school system: taxes go to buses, teacher salaries, etc.

: Yep, like all the IOU's in SS!!

 

[mhsjax]

Honey, look. Not trying to be mean or anything, but when Mommasita posted that she wouldn't get into the healthcare debate because we don't understand each other's systems, that was a polite way of saying "this thread is not about health care, universal health care, health care costs, or which system is better."

It's quite annoying that Canadians can't post anything on the community board without somebody trying to make it about health care. Please don't hijack the thread!

Yet I have seen on other threads, Canadians bringing up their health care system, when the discussion wasn't about out Canadian health care to those of us that live in America. YOu can't have it both ways. The Canadians seem to able to post about their health care system as freely as they want.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Don't most things happen that way? Like in the public school system: taxes go to buses, teacher salaries, etc.

Like the free subway passes for NYC students.

 

[Northstar]

Yet I have seen on other threads, Canadians bringing up their health care system, when the discussion wasn't about out Canadian health care to those of us that live in America. YOu can't have it both ways. The Canadians seem to able to post about their health care system as freely as they want.

Ever seen a thread where an American posts about how much a transit pass costs and Canadians come in and somehow change the topic to their wonderful health care system?

 

[mhsjax]

Ever seen a thread where an American posts about how much a transit pass costs and Canadians come in and somehow change the topic to their wonderful health care system?

As I said, I have seen many threads where Canadians put in a plug for their health care system. I think that answers your question.

 

[jen0610]

I actually did pay 23 dollars for insurance - that guarantees her ONE "free" replacement. After that we'd have to pay full price to replace it.

I've been fantasizing about putting it on a string around her neck, but I think we'll have to settle for tucking it into her wallet. But hey - we're going to Universal this Christmas. Maybe I can sell her on the brand-new cutting-edge fashion of wearing a Harry Potter lanyard to high school... She could be a trend-setter!

Our HS kids here have to wear a lanyard. They have to purchase the school lanyard and once they get their school id's, they have to wear them every day.

 

[FayeW]

Magpie, I more than feel your pain...I have two in high school this year. DD is going into grade 11 and DS is going into grade 9. DD's first year, I worked from home so I drove her. Last year, she had a bus pass but this year needing two buss passes at $73.25 each for the student rate, or $1350 for the two student annual passes (with insurance), I am back to driving them on the days that I can, and they will use tickets for the rest. I work shift work with my job, I work 14 days out of 28, and 4 of them are on weekend days. If I work the morning shift, I can pick them up at school in the afternoon; if I work evening shift, I can drop them off in the morning. Basically, there will be 10 days of the month that they will need to take the bus either to or from school. We should need about 40 tickets between the two of them, so that will cost about $50, so I'll save nearly $100. ... it's not going to cost anywhere near $100 to drive them 5k to school on the other days.

What totally sucks is that if our house was 600 feet (200 metres) down the street, their bus passes would be FREE! We live in a new development with no bus service yet, they have to walk about 800 meters to the bus stop. If it was a kilometre or more away, they'd get the pass for free. They`d also get bussed if they went to the Catholic high school instead of the public hs.