TUARAN: Sixty students from SMK Tun Fuad Stephens in Kiulu here are getting free rides to school thanks to the Tuaran Parliamentary Service Centre.
This initiative ensured that schoolchildren in the rural area could attend school regularly after a road at kilometer 7.6 near Malanggang Baru was obstructed in the middle of last month.
Affected students now had to take an alternative longer route to go to their school. The students were from Kampung Rangalau Lama, Rangalau Baru, Bungalio and Tamparuli town.
Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the centre agreed to cover transportation costs so that the students did not miss their daily classes.
"SMK Tun Fuad Stephens approached the Tuaran Parliamentary Service Centre to request transport cost assistance for their students until the main Tamparuli-Kiulu road is repaired.
"I approved the school's request, with the school managing public transportation logistics," he added.
The Kiulu-Tamparuli road was closed following a landslide on Oct 19, which disrupted travel for over 1,000 residents and students.
Morning-session students were transported to school at 6am and returned to their villages by 2pm, while afternoon students were picked up at 11am and would return by 6pm.
Madius expressed hope for a smooth repair on the road soon.
SMK Tun Fuad Stephens' senior assistant of student affairs Barndy Loo thanked Madius for funding the school bus services, which had greatly helped affected students.
He hoped the main road would reopen soon after repairs were completed.