School bus driver shortage still a problem – two Burlington routes cancelled Wednesday

A bus driver shortage continues to plague school bus operators in Halton Region, though Wednesday’s two route cancellations “due to a high rate of driver absenteeism” is but a fraction of the number of cancelled routes experienced last school year.

The communities most affected this year have been Milton and Halton Hills, though today’s morning route cancellations are at Burlington schools Assumption Catholic Secondary School and Pineland Public School in Burlington.

Both routes are serviced by Burlington-based Attridge Transport.

Construction along Halton roads this fall haven’t helped but Halton Student Transportations Services (HSTS), the busing company operated jointly by the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board, told inhalton in September that a shortage of drivers is the primary reason for the cancellations and delays of buses.

Local bus companies have been contracted to operate 458 bus routes for the 2023-24 school year and are reporting a complement of 466 permanent and substitute professional drivers. To guarantee sufficient coverage in the event of driver absences stemming from sickness, vacations, or family emergencies, an extra 20 to 30 bus drivers are needed.

Bus companies – including Attridge – are advertising for part-time driving opportunities, with free training available.

Prospective driving candidates can get in touch with the following bus companies for information on job prerequisites:

• Attridge Transportation Inc. (905) 333-4047
• Elliott Coach Lines 1-877-237-8287
• First Student Canada, Burlington and Oakville (905) 335-7010
• First Student (Georgetown) (905) 877-2251
• Switzer-Carty Transportation (905) 849-2080
• Voyago Transportation (519) 787-2200

A daily list of bus delays can be found on the HSTS website at (haltonbus.ca).