The group responsible for school transportation in the Grey-Bruce area has reached out to Queens Park for assistance.
The Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey Bruce (STSCGB) is urging the Ontario government to negotiate new contracts with the six bus companies in the area.
The previous contract ended right after the close of the 2025-26 school year.
Nancy Daigneault, Executive Director of School Bus Ontario, emphasized that this situation isn’t about politics; it’s about what drivers and mechanics need to prepare for the upcoming school year.
The consortium warned that without an agreement by Friday, students might have to find alternative transportation when school starts.
“We’ve already told drivers that contracts are not settled, and some of my experienced team members may soon start looking for work elsewhere if this isn’t resolved,” said Steve Tiffin of Tiffin Transportation Services Inc., one of the operators.
The six bus operators manage 308 routes.
Daigneault mentioned that retaining responsible, experienced drivers is crucial but can also be very costly.
“In Grey-Bruce region, local operators have increased driver wages by 25 to 30 percent over the life of current contracts, well above the province’s total 17.5 percent funding increase during that time,” said Daigneault. “Operators have absorbed those extra labor costs because getting qualified drivers behind the wheel is essential for safely transporting students.”
School Bus Ontario is a non-profit organization that advocates for, educates on, and consults regarding legislation affecting school bus fleet owners according to its official website.
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