There’s nonetheless no finish in sight for a dispute between college bus operators in Renfrew County and the transportation consortium that has left 10,000 college students in rural jap Ontario with out college buses this fall.
The contract between college bus operators and the Renfrew County Joint Transportation Consortium (RCJTC) has expired and either side have been at an deadlock concerning funding. Bus operators have stated their prices have elevated between 30 and 70 per cent for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic started, however the RCJTC says it can not supply greater than the 12 per cent improve it placed on the desk with out the college boards needing to make cuts elsewhere.
The 2 sides met Monday however have but to achieve a deal.
Justin Jeffrey, RCJTC common supervisor, stated in an electronic mail that Monday’s assembly was “constructive and informative.”
“We commit to making sure that the voices of our households and college students are heard and valued, and that everybody understands the good stress this example is inflicting,” he wrote.
“We acknowledge the difficult circumstances this example presents for all the group, and we deeply respect your continued persistence and cooperation.”
Alan Jackson, the spokesperson for Renfrew County bus operators, stated in an electronic mail to Ontario Chronicle Ottawa Wednesday morning that Monday’s assembly appeared extra productive than earlier conferences.
“Each Administrators of Schooling had been current this time. They’ve our counteroffer in hand. No deal has been agreed upon. Over the following few days, the College Boards could have discussions with their respective board members and contacts with one other assembly set for Monday Sept 30,” Jackson wrote.
“The Renfrew County College Bus Operators stay optimistic and wish to get again to what we do greatest, offering secure and dependable transportation to the scholars that we now have supplied for, for many years. It hasn’t been simple for us both, the drivers take delight in what they do and miss their college students. We aren’t receiving any moneys throughout this funding dispute.”
In a information launch Monday morning, operators blamed the consortium for dragging out negotiations and permitting contracts to run out.
“The Schooling Ministry, college boards and RCJTC have made it legally unattainable for operators to run college buses. As a lot as we wish to run our buses, we merely cannot if we do not have a signed contract as insurance coverage guidelines do not enable for pupil transportation,” the discharge stated.
Jackson added that it could take roughly three weeks to get bus service up and working as soon as a deal is reached.
“Whereas mother and father might have obtained their baby’s routing data, operators have been locked out of the coed data routing system since July. We normally have July and August to print, overview and have corrections made, arrange occasions to have drivers are available, do dry runs(drive their routes) so they’re acquainted with decide up and drop off occasions, and advocate modifications to routing prior to highschool begin up. As we’d like full signed contracts for insurance coverage laws and liabilities, our authorized groups must overview the proposed contracts previous to signing. Minimal 3 weeks to get buses again on the highway for pupil transportation at this level.”
Jeffrey stated additional updates from the RCJTC can be supplied early subsequent week.
