Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Toronto Faces School Bus Driver Shortage; Boards Scramble To Get Kids To School

The Canadian Press, 08 Sep, 2016 01:04 PM
    TORONTO — More than 1,000 children in Toronto are either getting to school late or not going at all due to an "unanticipated" bus driver shortage.
     
    Two Toronto school boards said they are scrambling to get as many children to school with drivers doubling and tripling up on routes, calling in extra drivers and buses and taxis — even some principals are using their cars to help out.
     
    "It's unacceptable," said Toronto District School Board spokesman Ryan Bird.
     
    "We should have been seeing our students transported to and from school as usual this week."
     
    He said some students — primarily elementary school children — are waiting more than an hour for a bus while some never show up.
     
    The TDSB and the Toronto Catholic District School Board — both use buses from a consortium of companies — said there are about 60 routes that currently don't have drivers.
     
    Both boards said the problems stem from a driver shortage from three companies: Attridge Transportation, Wheelchair Accessible Transit and Sharp Bus Lines.
     
     
    Bird said as recently as two weeks ago, the public board heard from its transportation carriers that everything was fine for the school year.
     
    "Last week we started to hear about potential number problems, but no one anticipated this to be an issue, otherwise we would have told everyone," Bird said.
     
    He said the board will recoup costs from the companies that aren't meeting their service demands.
     
    The Catholic school board's spokesman John Yan said several principals are out in the cars picking up and dropping children off.
     
    "The principals feel responsible for the safety of these children," Yan said.
     
    "It's all hands on deck right now."
     
    Both boards are hopeful to have the problems fixed by next week, but warn some problems may persist a few more weeks.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Gaps Leave Children At Risk Of Online Exploitation, Federal Study Warns

    Gaps Leave Children At Risk Of Online Exploitation, Federal Study Warns
    OTTAWA — There are "serious gaps" in efforts — including resources, training and research — to protect young people from online sexual exploitation, warns a study prepared for the federal government.

    Gaps Leave Children At Risk Of Online Exploitation, Federal Study Warns

    Train Derailed In Northern Ontario After Cracked Rail Gave Way: TSB

    Train Derailed In Northern Ontario After Cracked Rail Gave Way: TSB
    GATINEAU, Que. — The Transportation Safety Board says a freight train derailment in northern Ontario was caused by the complete failure of a previously cracked rail.

    Train Derailed In Northern Ontario After Cracked Rail Gave Way: TSB

    Parole Board Extends Day Parole For Saad Gaya, Member Of Toronto 18

    TORONTO — A man who pleaded guilty to participating in a plot to bomb targets in Toronto has had his day parole extended as the Parole Board of Canada found he has made a "strong beginning" to his period of conditional release.

    Parole Board Extends Day Parole For Saad Gaya, Member Of Toronto 18

    Teen Girl Charged After Commotion At CNE In Toronto, Fair Closed Early

    Teen Girl Charged After Commotion At CNE In Toronto, Fair Closed Early
      Toronto police say officers were at the fair around 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday arresting a man on an unrelated matter when a large group surrounded them.

    Teen Girl Charged After Commotion At CNE In Toronto, Fair Closed Early

    Health Canada Plans To Restrict Chemicals Used To Make Fentanyl

    Health Canada Plans To Restrict Chemicals Used To Make Fentanyl
    VANCOUVER — Health Canada plans to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanyl as part of Ottawa's attempt to address what it calls the national opioid crisis.

    Health Canada Plans To Restrict Chemicals Used To Make Fentanyl

    Husband Thought Storage Locker Where Infant Remains Found Was For Furniture

    Husband Thought Storage Locker Where Infant Remains Found Was For Furniture
    Jeremy Giesbrecht says he knew about the rented locker, but thought his wife was keeping her father's things there.

    Husband Thought Storage Locker Where Infant Remains Found Was For Furniture