All YK1 school buses to operate on 1st day of school but not all will be able to ride
CBC News | Posted: September 12, 2023 7:40 PM | Last Updated: September 13, 2023
Students who have a pass from last year can use it for one month until the new ones are processed
All 12 YK1 school bus routes will be up and running when students return to the classroom on Thursday, according to school superintendent and CEO Jameel Aziz, but not all students will be able to ride.
In a letter addressed to families, students and staff, Aziz warned that the processing and issuing of bus passes has been delayed by three weeks and will not be completed by Sept. 14.
Students who have bus passes from last year will be able to board the bus with last year's pass for a period of one month while the new passes are processed, Aziz wrote in the letter.
New riders, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 students will not be able to ride the bus until they have a current bus pass, YK1 confirmed on Wednesday.
"For health and safety reasons the bus company requires current consent forms for all riders, and there is no time to complete them all before school buses begin running on Sept.14," said school district executive assistant Patrizia Thagard in an email to CBC.
Aziz reminded motorists, meanwhile, to be careful on the roads as children return to classrooms; to watch for children walking, running, and cycling; and to show caution in school zones.
RCMP have also said they're bee patrolling school zones for speeding violations.
The Yellowknife school district struggled early this year with bus cancellations due to driver shortages.