Ombudsman opens investigation into 'chronic delays' from school bus driver shortages

Ontario's ombudsman is launching a systemic investigation into problems with school buses at the Toronto public and Catholic school boards this month.

Thousands of Toronto children waited hours for buses that were late or never showed up at all during the first weeks of the school year because of an unanticipated shortage of drivers for about 60 routes.

The two boards are still scrambling to get as many children to school with drivers doubling and tripling up on routes, calling in extra drivers and buses and taxis.

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Both school boards use buses from a consortium of companies, and there were originally about 60 routes that currently don't have drivers.

Complaints continue 

Ombudsman Paul Dubé says his investigators will interview officials and witnesses, and gather all information from the boards and their transportation consortium and complete the investigation as quickly as possible.

Dubé says the investigation will focus on whether the boards' oversight of student transportation and their response to the delays and disruptions was adequate.

"Nearly four weeks into the school year, we continue to receive complaints from frustrated families who are experiencing chronic delays or are repeatedly forced to scramble to get children to school when their buses don't show up," he said. "We will look at what the boards knew about possible transportation problems, how they responded and, communicated with parents, and what can be done to prevent such problems in future."

Indications of 'a broader problem'

The ombudsman's office also received 49 complaints about busing problems at other school boards and will keep an eye on those while moving ahead with the Toronto-focused probe.

"We have had a few complaints about busing in other areas, and some indicating there is a broader problem with the school transportation procurement process across the province," said Dubé.

The Ombudsman's mandate was expanded to include oversight of Ontario school boards this month, and it already has received more than 800 complaints about them.

The Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board issued a joint statement Monday saying they welcome the ombudsman's report.

"As we've said from the beginning, we agree that a thorough review is necessary so that we can ensure it doesn't happen again," the statement said. "That is why we will be cooperating fully in addition to conducting our own review of the situation."