A driver shortage is behind delays to some area school bus routes that affected the first day back to school for many students, but the Ontario government is putting forward incentives for those drivers to stick around.
In total, 19 area school bus routes were delayed on Monday morning. The delays ranged from 15 to 30 minutes, though one Aberfoyle route was delayed 45 minutes. The delays were posted early Tuesday to the web site for Student Transportation Services Wellington-Dufferin, a consortium of school bus operators in the area.
Student Transportation Services Wellington-Dufferin was contacted by GuelphToday early Tuesday, but did not respond for comment by publication time.
Service disruptions on some routes are expected for the next few weeks, said Tracy McLennan, associate director of Wellington Catholic District School Board.
“What we are seeing is a limited number of routes that are being impacted,” said McLennan. “We may double up runs so we limit the amount of time they are going to be late so we don’t impact the school day, and that is really our priority.”
Students who may be late to school because of delays will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, said McLennan.
The majority of bus routes ran on schedule and the delays experienced were relatively short, said Heather Loney, communications and community engagement for the Upper Grand District School Board.
Loney said board staff has been receiving updates from the consortium throughout last week and over the long weekend.
No complaint calls from the public were received by the board on Tuesday, said Loney.
“It is our understanding that this is a short-term issue being experienced by (the consortium) and that they are actively working to resolve the issue,” said Loney.
Parents and guardians whose children take the bus are encouraged to subscribe to email alerts from the consortium and monitor its website for route-specific information, said Loney.
“Because the vast majority of communications and updates from (the consortium) are route specific, broad communications wouldn’t necessarily be effective,” she said.
The bus driver shortage is not limited to Guelph. Last month the province of Ontario announced a pilot project seeking to retain drivers and recruit new ones.
"The school bus driver shortage has been an ongoing issue that impacts students and families across Ontario," said Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce in a news release sent last week. "We're working together to keep our students safe as they travel to and from school and providing stability to parents by investing the highest levels in transportation."
Eligible school bus drivers could receive one or two retention bonuses, each up to $1,000 pre-tax. The program is intended to to reduce driver turnover and help to alleviate the shortage, said the release.
The provincial government has earmarked up to $40 million to the School Bus Driver Retention Program for the 2019-20 school year.
