The SA government is using a free school bus service to help out school students still impacted by Murray River floods
The South Australian government says it will introduce a free school bus shuttle service to assist students impacted by ongoing road closures as the Riverland recovery effort continues.
The SA government says the service will allow students on the Cowirra side of the Murray River to get to and from Mannum Community college once they hop off the ferry each school day until road access to their homes is restored.
Hunter Road remains closed after sustaining significant damage from the River Murray flood, with multiple sections washed away to considerable depth.
Following feedback from the ferry service operator regarding students using the service, a free bus service has been organised for Mannum Community College students who have been using the ferry to get to and from school every weekday.
The bus service will help them complete the 1.5 kilometre journey from the Mannum Bowling Club to Mannum Community College.
The bus service will depart the Mannum Bowling Club at 8:30am every morning and Mannum Community College at 3:20pm every afternoon (except Wednesdays, when it will depart at 2:30pm due to early school dismissal).
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Ferry departure times have been slightly amended to accommodate the bus timetable.
Repair works for Hunter Road and Burdett Road commenced on February 21, with the works expected to take between four to six weeks to complete, weather permitting.
“We know how difficult the Murray River flood has been for Riverland families, and this is one small way we can help make life easier and smoother for them,” SA transport and infrastructure minister Tom Koutsantonis says.
“With the damage that’s been caused to Hunter Road, we appreciate the patience of families who live on the River opposite Mannum, particularly in Cowirra, as crews work tirelessly to complete repairs on the road to restore car access to their properties.
“In the meantime, this free bus service will mean school students from Cowirra who are using the Mannum passenger ferry to get to and from school each day won’t have to walk a kilometre and a half to complete their journeys every morning and afternoon.”