Driver shortages lead to Return to School bus disruptions

Sept. 10, 2020

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) are cautioning families to have back-up plans in case of busing service disruptions, after busing routes to St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood were unexpectedly cancelled this morning.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, First Student bus company was forced to cancel six bus routes to St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood, affecting 243 students. The cancelation affects morning and afternoon transportation today. The cancelled First Student bus routes are 403, 404, 406, 408, 412 and 417.

STSCO is advising that some local bus companies have had difficulty hiring and retaining drivers during the pandemic, an issue that many transportation consortiums across Ontario are facing.
As a result, some bus runs may operate late or be cancelled entirely. Any disruptions will be posted on a daily basis to give parents and guardians as much advance notice as possible.

Families are asked to monitor STSCO.ca in the mornings and evenings, sign-up for automatic notifications and follow @stsco_ca on Twitter for information on cancellations and delays.