A number of students from several communities in Seaqaqa were left stranded this morning after a Rural Service License transport failed to arrive to pick them up for school.
Mohammed Mustakim of Vunivere, Seaqaqa, says parents were surprised when the RSL van did not turn up as scheduled.
Mustakim says his children had to go to their grandparents' house to inform him that the van had not arrived.
He says when he contacted the driver, he was informed that due to the recent increase in fuel prices, he was unable to continue providing the transport service.
According to Mustakim, about 20 to 25 students travel daily in the van from communities including Vunivere, Lalakoro and Kawakawa Vesi.
He says parents had to make alternative arrangements.
Mustakim says he had to transport eight children to school in his small car this morning.
He says many parents in the area are farmers and do not have enough money to hire private vehicles daily to transport their children from Vunivere to Seaqaqa schools.
