September 15th, 2022

We want to share an important update about school buses. Due to a driver shortage and the impact on service this will have, some routes will be cancelled using the same approach as the last school year.

More than 90% of scheduled trips are operating normally. However, some routes are experiencing more frequent and prolonged delays (50 minutes or greater). As a result, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) will need to cancel some routes for a short period of time.

This temporary measure will be effective Monday, September 19 and will continue until December 2022.

STSWR will continue to evaluate this approach to reducing delays and adjust the approach in order to continue to reduce the impact on students, families, and caregivers. Recruitment efforts continue and we expect the number of cancellations to diminish over the coming months.

We understand the significant impact this decision will have on our students and their families and caregivers. STSWR does this only as a last resort. We hope that this proactive message will allow families and caregivers to better prepare for and react to the cancellation of bus routes.

What Happens If A School Bus Route is Cancelled?

Effective September 19, 2022

A school bus route will be cancelled when the driver shortage causes a route to be late by more than 30 minutes consistently. Affected students and families will be informed immediately of the cancellation period.

Routes will not be cancelled for more than a week at a time.

Supporting Student Learning

If a school bus route is cancelled, you have two options:

  • Learn remotely asynchronously:
    • Students use their class Virtual Learning Environment (D2L or Google Classroom).
    • Students may access lessons on TVO Learn.
  • Alternative transportation:
    • Families may find another way for students to get to school.

Stay Informed

Families will be informed the day prior to any cancellation. Cancellations will be posted on the STSWR website with an expected return date.

The Bus Delays page will be updated each afternoon by 4:30 PM.

As a result of driver shortage, drivers will be covering late routes in addition to their normal routes. We would ask for your support in extending thanks and grace to our bus drivers. Everyone is doing their best to ensure students are able to attend school.

Questions?

Please contact Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR).

Categories: School News