The Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium (RCJTC) notified students’ parents and guardians yesterday, August 27th, of a likely disruption to the school bus service as the fall term begins. RCJTC released the following statement to media:
Unfortunately, school bus companies have shown no movement, and continue to reject our offers for new contract extensions. These are commercial contracts with private companies, our offers reflect the full extent of what the school boards can provide through student transportation funding, including the 12 percent increase that was secured by the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) and the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) and delivered from the Ministry of Education.
For the first time ever, the school bus service companies are refusing to provide service until the contract extensions are finalized – as a result, a disruption to school bus service is likely at the start of the school year. Families need to plan ahead to have alternative transportation in place to get students to school.
We also want to assure families that despite comments they may see about school bus service companies wanting access to our route planning systems, for privacy reasons, RCJTC will not share the personal information of our students and families with any company that does not have a contract in place with RCJTC.
We have been clear in our discussions with the companies with that there is a limit to transportation funding and that any additional increase to our offers would mean taking funds from schools and student programming.
We respect and appreciate the hard work of bus drivers, and the important role they play in getting students to school safely. However, we are extremely disappointed the school bus companies are not putting students first and we share the frustration of families across the community.
Jeffrey,J.,Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium(2024,Aug.27) RCJTC Statement to Media – August 27, 2024 [media release]
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to visit onthebus.ca for the latest school bus information from RCJTC
Photo at top: Facebook/RCJTC