Hamilton schools to reorganize bus routes, now 59 to 67 bus drivers short
Bobby Hristova | CBC News | Posted: September 10, 2020 5:26 PM | Last Updated: September 10, 2020
Bus pick up and drop off times will be updated on the HWSTS website by 6 p.m. on Sept. 13
Hamilton school boards will undergo a "complete reorganization" of school bus routes with a shortage of about 60 and 70 drivers.
Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS) was expecting a shortage of 80 drivers which is far beyond the normal shortage of 20 to 30 drivers.
The boards added more incentives to attract drivers, but are still missing 59 drivers for mornings and 67 for afternoons.
With roughly 9,500 students from the Catholic board and 14,500 students from the public board needing busing, local bus routes are set to undergo a transformation as HWSTS accounts for the roughly 6,500 students who won't need buses.
"The reorganization was undertaken, and continues to be in progress, to remove stops that no longer have students, consolidate runs and ultimately reduce the number of bus routes. Once completed, bus pick up and drop off times will be updated on the HWSTS website by 6:00 p.m. on September 13," reads the release.
It is yet another change at the start of the school year.
Here's more back-to-school coverage:
- Help CBC Hamilton's back-to-school coverage
- Students fear COVID-19, Canadians think pandemic will hurt child education, reports say
- Final reopening plans for Hamilton schools still being worked on as classes reopen in days
- Schools set to open: Students, parents, teachers on edge, with 'Herculean tasks at the 11th hour'
- Hamilton school boards say worsening bus driver shortage means 'serious delays' during COVID-19
Alex Johnstone, chair of the public board, said there will still be delays for students waiting on buses.
On Thursday morning, there were as many as 17 delayed routes, and that's only with a limited number of Catholic school students attending classes. The delays were between 15 minutes and an hour.
"We appreciate the patience and understanding of parents throughout this process and as well would like to thank HWSTS and Board staff who have worked so very hard to prepare for the school reopening during these unprecedented times," said Pat Daly, chairperson of the Catholic board.
The boards are asking parents to check their email this weekend for messages from HWSTS.
A warning came last week about a significant shortage in drivers.
Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!
We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.